In October, Storm Ashley became the first named storm of the storm season, bringing disruption to travel services in western Scotland and Northern Ireland. In November Storm Bert caused further chaos and disruption, followed swiftly by Storm Conall which saw up to 40mm of rain fell overnight in parts of south and south-east England.
Last week, Storm Darragh swept the UK, leaving tens of thousands of people without power while gusts of up to 58mph inland and 67mph in coastal areas were recorded. In an interview with Insurance Business, John Bissell (pictured), executive director at the Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters (CILA) offered insights into some of the trends that have characterised recent storm seasons – and what sets this recent storm season apart.
“The 2023/2024 period has been marked by unprecedented extreme weather in the UK, with 12 named storms recorded—the most since the naming system began in 2015,” he said. “Storms such as Babet, Ciarán, Bert, Conall, and Darragh have underscored the growing intensity and frequency of weather events linked to climate change. These events highlight infrastructure vulnerabilities, communities' resilience, and the urgent need for adaptive strategies by local authorities and the insurance sector.”
Discussing how the named storms of this period have impacted communities to date and some of the pressing challenges he sees facing policyholders going into the Christmas season, Bissell highlighted how the storms have caused widespread damage, emotional distress, and financial strain.
Surging claim volumes are stretching insurance resources in a time where speedy resolution is desired more than ever. Heading into Christmas, he said, logistical disruptions, rising repair costs, and underinsurance amplify challenges for policyholders, especially vulnerable groups. The season’s heightened activity period exacerbates the strain on businesses and families alike.
What is clear, Bissell noted is that these weather events have emphasised the pressing need to create a wider, more skilled talent pipeline in the insurance profession more broadly – but particularly among the loss adjusting community. “The surge in extreme weather has underscored the critical need for a robust and skilled loss-adjusting workforce,” he said. “Frequent claims surges require workforce agility including the upskilling of existing professionals and attracting new talent to better support the existing workforce and effectively manage growing claim volumes.”
Touching on some of the key ways in which CILA supports the creation of this new talent pool and the upskilling of existing talent, he looked to its Future Focus Group, which promotes the loss adjusting and claims handling profession for emerging talent. By evolving qualifications, expanding CPD initiatives, and supporting career development programs, CILA can help foster essential technical and soft skills, he said, which is essential to strengthen and spotlight the profession.
He added: “Recognising the importance of well-being, our initiatives will place greater emphasis on mental health and support, which can be a challenge for newer professionals, building a resilient and sustainable workforce for the demands of a growing market.”
What has also been interesting to see is the new emphasis being placed on proactive risk management, backed by insurers, as a critical tool in the toolkit of supporting UK policyholders. “Proactive risk management is vital in mitigating damage and ensuring future resilience. By guiding policyholders in pre-emptive measures such as flood defences and property adaptations, insurers can reduce claims frequency and severity while building trust and long-term collaboration with policyholders.”
The question on the minds of many in the market is whether insurers – and others in the insurance ecosystem – have stepped up to the plate to embrace the pivotal role they must play in preparing and safeguarding their policyholders for an uncertain climate. From Bissell’s perspective, the response has been mixed.
“While many insurers acknowledge their responsibility to promote resilience and innovation, systemic challenges like underinsurance, resource constraints, and reinsurance pressures remain a hinder to progress,” he said. “Adopting a more agile claims process, enabling professionals to adapt to an uncertain environment, will be critical.
“Despite these challenges, the sector has made progress through promoting 'Build Back Better' strategies and stronger community engagement, showing a commitment to addressing the impacts of a changing climate. Continued collaboration and innovation will be essential to fully meet this crucial role.”
