Best’s Commentary: Federal Flood Insurance backstop could see severe losses from Hurricane Sally
OLDWICK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–AM Best expects insured losses from Hurricane Sally to be significant for the U.S. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), and sizable for some insurers with large private flood exposures in Alabama and Florida.
A new Best’s Commentary, “Potentially Severe Flood Losses from Hurricane Sally,” states that insured losses, as compared with events such as the ongoing wildfires in the western United States, or Hurricane Laura, will not be major, but be more of a flood event where coverage is provided mainly by the NFIP. Because of the slow pace of the hurricane, some areas in Alabama and Florida have seen more than two feet of rain. The NFIP’s reinsurance program for 2020 attaches for losses greater than $4 billion; more than two thirds of flood coverage written in Alabama is federal. The hurricane also potentially could place flood-related catastrophe bonds in its crosshairs.
Automobile damage might cause more of a direct loss event for insurers. However, most market participants are geographically diverse. Homeowners’ losses are likely to be more limited due to Hurricane Sally being more of a flood event than a wind event. However, a standard homeowner’s insurance policy will cover water damage from rain as long as the storm has “opened up” a hole in the roof.
To access the full copy of this special report, please visit http://www3.ambest.com/bestweek/purchase.asp?record_code=301242.
AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in New York, London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.
Copyright © 2020 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Contacts
Jason Hopper
Associate Director, Industry
Research and Criteria
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5016
jason.hopper@ambest.com
Christopher Sharkey
Manager, Public Relations
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159
christopher.sharkey@ambest.com
Jim Peavy
Director, Public Relations
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5644
james.peavy@ambest.com
