LMA NEWSLETTER August 26, 2019

I have worked as an advocate for sound real estate and property insurance public policy for years and my real estate colleagues drill into my head that it’s not the house, it’s where it is that determines its value.  In fact it was a pal of mine who is building a new house that sent …

Lessons from Hurricane Michael

Not only has the Florida Building Code not been fully effective in protecting homes in the Panhandle clobbered by last fall’s Hurricane Michael, now neither are mitigation efforts designed to fortify our homes and businesses, according to a new FEMA report.   A team of building experts has conducted an assessment of …

Opportunities in private market solutions

In the wake of bigger and wetter storms, the personal property insurance market is beginning to realize the importance of offering viable private flood market solutions as an alternative and complement to federal flood insurance.  A new report out by Verisk is revealing the true need – and opportunity – …

Of risk and innovation

Last week I had the privilege of serving on a panel at Demotech’s I LEAD Insurance conference, attended by more than 200 insurance companies, related firms, and policymakers.  The panel was titled, “The Courageous Leader” and examined how each panelist looks at risk and solvency together with the strategies utilized to …

Quiet now may not mean quiet later

It was 15 years ago next week that Hurricane Ivan formed, becoming the fourth major hurricane of the very active 2004 Atlantic Hurricane Season.  After striking parts of the Caribbean as a Cat 4/Cat 5 storm, Ivan headed toward Pensacola, Florida and came ashore on September 16 as …

A changing landscape of risk and opportunity

Autonomous vehicles hold the promise of one day practically eliminating automobile accidents in this country, and with them, the risk of serious injury and death, together with property damage.  While we wait, there’s some consideration that the number of accidents might initially go up during the roll-out.  Others …

(It’s where the action is)

Lest you need a reminder about how pervasive insurance is in our lives, look no further than Google, the search engine.  The most Googled financial question in Florida during the past year?  Yep, you guessed it: Insurance.  That’s according to an analysis of Google search terms by the website TermLife2Go, …

As we enter the heart of the Atlantic hurricane season next week, we need to remember that storm planning should include our pets as well.  Where to go, what to do?  Stay or evacuate?  It’s a great time to remind ourselves that our own pets, as well as those animals in shelters, need to be …