A year after the Los Angeles wildfires, many survivors face the same problem: Their insurance policies aren’t paying out enough to cover the cost of rebuilding.It’s a tragic predicament. And it will happen again when the next disaster hits. Since the 1990s, American homes have been systematically underinsured in the event that they are completely destroyed. Study after study shows that, counter to the public’s understanding, many home insurance policies are not required to cover total replacement of homes.R ...

Core Insights - The primary concern for UK SMEs is not underinsurance, as only 14.5% express being very concerned about it, ranking it lowest among 23 assessed risks [2][3] - The most pressing issues for SMEs include the cost-of-living crisis (31.3%), revenue generation (27%), and political changes (25.7%) [2][3] - A significant 74% of SMEs globally are underinsured, indicating a disconnect between perceived risks and actual coverage needs [4] Group 1: Underinsurance Concerns - Only 14.5% of UK SMEs are very concerned about being underinsured, making it the least concerning issue [2] - Hiscox's report indicates that 74% of SMEs worldwide remain underinsured, with 55% lacking essential coverage types [4] - A large portion of SMEs lacks understanding of key insurance types, with 77% unable to describe cyber insurance and 80% for professional indemnity [4] Group 2: Operational Focus - UK SMEs are primarily focused on immediate operational challenges, which leads to deprioritization of long-term financial risks like underinsurance [3] - The lack of concern for underinsurance may stem from unfamiliarity with comprehensive protection and evolving risks [5] - Many SMEs have not reviewed their insurance policies in over three years, indicating a gap in awareness and understanding [4] Group 3: Opportunities for Insurers - There is a clear opportunity for insurers and brokers to provide targeted solutions to address the underinsurance issue [5] - Proactive coverage reviews and simplified product explanations can help SMEs identify and understand their coverage gaps [5] - Enhancing education and transparency around insurance options is essential for reducing the protection gap and safeguarding SMEs [5]

Core Insights - Verisk has launched Commercial Rebuild, an underwriting solution aimed at providing U.K. commercial property insurance specialists with a customizable model for accurately assessing the rebuild value of small- to mid-market commercial buildings [1][6] Industry Context - The launch comes at a critical time as underinsurance is a significant concern, with a report indicating that nearly 46% of commercial properties in the U.K. are estimated to be underinsured [2] Product Features - Commercial Rebuild allows for remote estimation of reinstatement costs without the need for site visits, using just an address to calculate costs for various commercial premises [3] - The solution combines a tailored surveyor model with high-quality data and technology to help insurers, brokers, and MGAs calculate reinstatement costs more efficiently [4][6] - Key features include minimal input requirements, access via real-time API or web-based portal, and a regularly updated detailed rebuild cost model to align with changing material and labor costs [7] Operational Benefits - The system aims to provide high-quality estimates that align with building industry valuations, making it more economical for insurers to cover small- to mid-market commercial properties [6] - By leveraging comprehensive property datasets and technology, the solution enhances customer satisfaction and simplifies workflows for insurers, MGAs, and brokers [6][8]

Core Insights - A significant number of California homeowners are underinsured, risking insufficient funds to rebuild their homes after disasters [2][3] - The issue of underinsurance is exacerbated by rising construction costs, increased wildfire risks, and market adjustments in the insurance sector [4][5][7] Underinsurance Statistics - Approximately 806,600 residences in California are completely uninsured, representing 10.5% of all homeowners [3] - The use of the California FAIR Plan, a basic fire insurance option, has increased by 300% since 2018, now covering 4% of the state's homeowners [6] Factors Contributing to Underinsurance - Rising insurance costs in wildfire-prone areas are leading homeowners to underinsure or let their coverage lapse to reduce premiums [5] - Increased frequency and severity of wildfires are making it more challenging and expensive to insure homes [7] - Regulatory constraints from Proposition 103 complicate insurers' ability to adjust rates in response to evolving risks [8] Policy Considerations - Understanding the difference between actual cash value and replacement cost policies is essential for homeowners to ensure adequate coverage [9] Recommendations for Homeowners - Homeowners can reduce wildfire risk through property mitigation strategies, which may lower insurance costs and qualify them for discounts [10] - The state is implementing changes to improve insurance availability and affordability in high-risk areas, as seen in the Sustainable Insurance Strategy introduced by the Insurance Commissioner [11]