Insurers can act as enablers of climate resilience through highly specialised natural catastrophe assessment tools and bespoke risk consulting, enhancing clients’ preparedness for future challenges, with long-term partnerships key to achieving this, according to Melanie Fischer, Natural Hazards and GIS/Data Analyst at HDI Global.
Extreme weather events and natural catastrophes have become some of the most significant economic risks worldwide. Losses are continuously increasing, while insurance penetration remains limited in many vulnerable regions.
Fischer noted that to effectively address these risks, insurers must be proactive and strategically realign their approach.
She explained that socio-economic processes are the primary driver behind the increase in insured nat cat losses. Population growth, rising prosperity, and rapid urbanisation are concentrating valuable assets in high-risk areas, amplifying exposure to natural hazards. Additionally, rising construction costs, labour shortages, and supply chain disruptions are pushing up rebuilding costs following natural disasters.
The consequences extend beyond individual businesses or households. Natural catastrophes can significantly impede the economic development of entire regions, threaten jobs, and weaken local infrastructure over the long term. In countries with low insurance penetration, such events further exacerbate social disparities.
Historically, the largest nat cat losses have been caused by “primary perils”, which are infrequent but result in severe damage. However, in 2024, “secondary perils” accounted for more than half of all insured nat cat losses worldwide, underscoring their growing relevance.
Secondary perils, such as floods, wildfires, and severe convective storms, occur more frequently and typically result in smaller individual claims, but their cumulative impact is substantial.
Fischer explained that rising global temperatures are increasing the risk and magnitude of natural hazards, resulting in greater loss potential. Although climate-change-related losses are still modest, some studies project that by the middle of this century, they could account for a double-digit percentage of global GDP.
Despite rising losses, insurance penetration remains low in many regions. In 2024, losses from natural catastrophes exceeded $300 billion, of which only 40% were insured. On a positive note, the proportion of insured nat cat losses is gradually increasing, and the protection gap is narrowing.
However, there are significant regional disparities: the largest coverage gaps and financial risks are found in countries of the Global South.
Fischer emphasised that insurers can act as enablers of climate resilience. She stated, “The location and construction of valuable assets are critical determinants of loss potential, especially as the likelihood of natural catastrophes increases. Adaptation through stricter building codes or smart urban planning is crucial. Insurers can strengthen their clients’ resilience through long-term investments and tailored solutions, such as captives and ESG liability products.
“Highly specialised NatCat assessment tools and bespoke climate risk consulting enable comprehensive risk evaluation and enhance clients’ resilience to future challenges. Long-term partnerships are key to achieving this,” Fischer concluded.
