fbpx
Pay Now
Client Login

What Does a Cyclone in Madagascar Have to Do With Rising Builders Risk Costs in the United States?

In February, another category 3 tropical cyclone hit the republic of Madagascar, the second largest island nation in the world. This is the third cyclone to hit the island this year, with the last one hitting 16 days prior.

While it’s not yet understood what the insurance ramifications of the cyclones in Madagascar are, it is an opportunity to explain how interconnected the insurance world is today. Another example is reported by Business Insurance that Storm Eunice, which pummeled the UK on February 28th,  may cost insurance carriers more than $470 million. These losses will affect every aspect of property insurance across the world.

Insurance carriers utilize insurance too. One way insurance carriers can ensure large risks with multiple insurance buyers is by utilizing reinsurance. A reinsurance carrier provides more capacity to an insurance carrier’s balance sheet. When losses of this magnitude occur, it is going to cost reinsurance carriers a lot of money.

Reinsurance is a global offering. Swiss Re, Munich Re, and Berkshire Hathaway are some of the largest reinsurers in the world. David Fickling of Bloomberg reports,  “Reinsurers cover more than half the cost of insured losses from natural disasters.” Last year alone, Munich Re reports, “The industry paid out $82 billion in such losses last year alone.”

What does this have to do with builders risk in the United States? Builders risk is intended to provide property coverage for the entire construction team for a building under construction. The reinsurers who are paying for these natural disasters, whether it’s a cyclone in Madagascar, an ice storm in the United Kingdom, or forest fires in California, are the same reinsurers providing your builders risk policy for the projects under construction in every city in America.

As losses from natural disasters continue to worsen, so will your builders risk prices. The financial repercussions associated with Builders Risk pricing will continue.

Sources: Bloomberg, Business Insurance

About the Author

Eric Pach
Eric Pach
Eric serves as Partner and Captive Practice Leader at INSURICA Southwest. With more than 15 years of experience and knowledge, he is a recognized leader within the construction industry. Eric enjoys developing strong relationships with his clients and serving as their trusted advisor.

Share This Story

Stay Updated

Subscribe to the INSURICA blog and receive the latest news direct to your inbox.

Subscribe to the blog

Related Blogs

Responsible Chemical Storage, MSDS and Spill Preparedness

May 30th, 2023|Blog, Environmental, Safety Tips|

At INSURICA, we recognize the significant concern that managing chemical-related risks poses for environmental businesses. To ensure a safer work environment, it is crucial to prioritize proper chemical storage, understanding Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), and being prepared for potential spills. These elements are essential facets of effective risk management.

Creating a Cybersecurity Culture

May 24th, 2023|Blog, Commercial Insurance, Construction|

Employees are an organization’s first line of defense against cybercriminals. For this reason, they are also commonly targeted. In fact, the vast majority (88%) of data breaches are caused by employee mistakes, according to Stanford University. Unfortunately for organizations, a single mistake can result in costly losses, reputational damage and lost or stolen data.

Healthcare Industry Trends to Watch

May 23rd, 2023|Blog, Commercial Insurance, Healthcare|

The healthcare industry plays a vital role in the U.S. economy, providing medical services and coordinating care for patients. It is an industry that constantly evolves, facing challenges and trends that require attention and adaptation. In this article, we will explore some of the key trends in the healthcare industry and their potential implications.

Go to Top