Latest Catastrophe Headlines
All the headlines from our Catastrophe Topic Page, ordered by recency.
S&P Report Examines Calif. Earthquake Insurance
Dec 2 2007 // The Golden State got a jolt on Oct. 30 with a 5.6 magnitude earthquake just outside of San Jose. An article published by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, “Is California’s Earthquake Insurance...
From Insurance Consumer to Commissioner
Dec 2 2007 // While the position of California Insurance Commissioner is elected and there are already rumblings that he’d make a good gubernatorial candidate in 2010, current California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner says...
Safeco Estimates Calif. Wildfire Losses at $35 Million
Dec 2 2007 // Frank Santoya, a member of the California Fire Office of the State Fire Marshall, walks through the rubble as he surveys the fire damage in the Rancho Barnardo neighborhood of San Diego on Oct. 30, 2007 (AP Photo/Rick...
Senate Approves Terrorism Insurance Backstop Extension
Dec 2 2007 // The Senate passed the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (TRIPRA) of 2007, its version of legislation that will extend the federal terrorism insurance backstop. The current federal terrorism reinsurance...
N.D. Insurance Department Issues $4 Million Check to Northwood School
Nov 30 2007 // The state Insurance Department says it has issued a $4 million check to the Northwood School District in advance of a claim settlement for damage from the Aug. 26 tornado that ripped through the community. The...
Survey: 22,700-Plus Wildfire Insurance Claims Filed in Calif.
Nov 29 2007 // The Insurance Information Network of California has confirmed that at least 22,700 claims filed from October’s Southern California fire and wind storms. The tally includes at least 2,000 insurance claims for damage...
Hurricances Spare U.S., Leaving Officials Worried About Public Apathy, Flood Policy Nonrenewals
Nov 29 2007 // Despite alarming predictions, the U.S. came through a second straight hurricane season virtually unscathed, raising fears among emergency planners that they will be fighting public apathy and overconfidence when they warn...
Miss.: Gautier Elementary set to reopen 2 years after Hurricane Katrina
Nov 27 2007 // Monday marked the first day of classes at Gautier, Miss., Elementary School since Hurricane Katrina flooded and damaged the building in 2005. The city’s oldest school, built in 1940, was repaired with money from...
Lexington Ups Capacity on Bio-Chemical Terrorism Coverage
Nov 27 2007 // Lexington Insurance Company, a member company of American International Group, Inc. (AIG), has increased capacity of its BioChem Shield product from $10 million to $25 million. BioChem Shield is Lexington’s coverage...
Numbers of Mo. Homeowners Buying Earthquake Insurance Drops
Nov 26 2007 // The cost of earthquake insurance has gone up in Missouri, and the number of people buying it has gone down. Figures from the state Department of Insurance show that earthquake coverage was carried on fewer than 38 percent...
Wind-Driven Wildfire Strikes Malibu Again, 49 Homes Destroyed
Nov 26 2007 // Glen Sunyich has seen flames ravage the canyons and mountains above Malibu, Calif., three times and has been thankful his home was spared. The fourth time, he wasn’t so lucky. Sunyich’s home was among 49, along...
Virtual Conference: Economic Impact from Absence of Hurricanes in Fla.
Nov 26 2007 // Florida has been spared landfall by a hurricane for a second consecutive year, but residents should not be lulled into a sense of false security, cautions Sam Miller of the Florida Insurance Council. The 2007 hurricane...
Catastrophic Events Raise Business Interruption Questions
Nov 18 2007 // Agents advised to discuss extended coverage provisions and contingent business interruption insurance Several recent and relatively recent events — the wildfires in southern California, Hurricane Katrina in August 2005...
Catastrophic Events Raise BI Coverage Questions
Nov 18 2007 // Several recent and relatively recent events — the wildfires in southern California, Hurricane Katrina in August 2005 and the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks — have raised awareness of how, and whether, business...
Disaster Recovery
Nov 18 2007 // Disaster recovery still is very much on the minds of property owners and insurers in the South Central region despite relatively mild back-to-back catastrophe years. Louisiana has a long way to go before the state can say...
Firefighters Warn of Continued Wildfire Threat in California
Nov 18 2007 // Rapid development in wildfire-prone areas and continued bone-dry weather have alarmed California firefighters, who began a sweeping assessment of fire danger and what’s needed to meet it. Catastrophic wildfires that...
TRIA Extension Must Pass Without NBCR Provision
Nov 18 2007 // After the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the market for commercial property and liability insurance in large urban areas was in turmoil, as reinsurance for terrorism became expensive and scarce. Construction slowed...
Congress Considers Disaster Legislation to Alleviate Coastal Insurance Crisis
Nov 18 2007 // House passes measure opposed by Bush and insurance industry remains at odds on best solution Disaster legislation is hot on the minds of congressional leaders this month as a handful of bills made their way to both the...
AIR Estimates Chile Earthquake Insured Losses Not Over $80 Million
Nov 16 2007 // AIR Worldwide Corporation announced that it estimates insured losses from a major earthquake that struck the coast of Chile on Wednesday will likely not exceed $80 million. AIR noted that the “USGS has issued a...
‘Unofficial’ Tornadoes Cause Damage in Tennessee and Kentucky
Nov 16 2007 // An apparent tornado touched down Wednesday night west of Chattanooga, Tenn., damaging buildings and causing minor injuries to at least nine people, including three children. Tornadoes must be confirmed by the National...
