It’s September, and that means a lot of different things to different parts of the country. On the West Coast, residents are experiencing a raging wildfire season and a rise in temperature. For the East Coast, folks are cleaning up after Hurricane IDA and preparing for the long winter months that are just around the corner. For many in coastal areas in the southern and eastern United States, it’s another unprecedented hurricane and tropical storm season.
We’ve already seen a flurry of activity in the Gulf and the Atlantic. Just weeks after Hurricane Ida swept through the Gulf of Mexico and pummeled the coast, Tropical Storm Nicholas descended upon Louisiana and Texas. As of September 20, there were 17 named storms during the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season so far, and, of that, six hurricanes.
If you look at the past few years, the upward trend in windstorm activity has been, if nothing else, record-breaking and devastating. The 2020 hurricane season was such a turning point in our history that we ran out of letters to name the thirty named storms that year.
While we can’t predict these storms, it’s clear that a global shift in weather patterns is here to stay without losing momentum.
With the global pandemic approaching its second year and this historically difficult season for coastal communities already in full swing, we, as a catastrophic-risk insurance provider, are painfully aware that the challenges of this season require extraordinary measures to prepare and recover. That is why resilience through adversity is, by far, the most meaningful measure of success.
Let’s look at the numbers for the last few years. In terms of the financial impact on homeowners and businesses, the year 2017 produced three of the top five costliest hurricanes in the United States. Hurricanes Maria, Irma, and Harvey each caused approximately $30 billion dollars in estimated insured losses. That’s a $90 billion total that dwarfs the $65 billion damages of Hurricane Katrina. These same homeowners may have only recovered briefly, if at all, before facing the next hurricane season the following year.
What does resilience mean to homeowners in areas prone to natural disasters? Without the properly vetted contractors or the right insurance coverage, the time to recover is exponentially more expensive and potentially slower. Resilience means knowing how to recover with reputable contractors and reliable providers to safeguard their most valuable investments.
At GeoVera, we’ve taken careful measures to empower our customers with the resources and information needed to boost their resilience in difficult times. We’re the earthquake insurance experts with decades of natural disaster claims experience. We specifically design our earthquake insurance products around homeowners’ unique challenges after a sudden quake event. West Coast residents can boost their resilience in the face of wildfires and earthquakes with the combined strength of their homeowners policy and a standalone earthquake product. With GeoVera, you’ll be ready to face the next natural disaster with confidence.
So, what’s next? Whether you’re already impacted by this year’s storm season or thinking about the future, consider how you can make your home and your finances resilient for the long term. Learn more at GeoVera.com or talk with your insurance agent about what you need to do to become more prepared for any natural disaster. Together, with trusted partners and expert providers, we can work towards stability in shaky times.
