The main drivers of rising flood losses are related to economic growth and urbanization. Coastal development puts more property at risk and eliminates ways for water to flow or to be absorbed. Other factors – such as aging or absent flood-control infrastructure – also affect losses. Extreme weather and rising sea levels exacerbate the threat.
While awareness of weather and climate risk has grown in recent decades and much action is being taken, a lot of work remains to establish a mindset focused on resilience and pre-emptive mitigation.
This research paper – a collaboration between Triple-I and Capgemini – discusses the tools and approaches insurers are using to address flood risk.