Latest Hurricane Headlines
All the headlines from our Hurricane Topic Page, ordered by recency.
Bright Spots and Challenges Go Hand in Hand in Louisiana
Dec 3 2008 // Despite the challenges faced by the state of Louisiana since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita wrought their havoc in 2005, there are bright spots in the state’s property casualty insurance industry, says Louisiana...
Claims Estimates for Hurricane Ike Still ‘Fluid,’ Commissioner Says
Dec 2 2008 // As of late November, estimates of insured losses from Hurricane Ike, which hit Galveston on Sept. 13, were in the $6 billion to $8 billion range, according to Texas Insurance Commissioner Mike Geeslin. However, Geeslin...
Storm Planners Reflect on Strategies for Busy Hurricane Season
Dec 1 2008 // In New Orleans, a dire warning to flee emptied the city before Hurricane Gustav in early September. In Houston less than two weeks later, a plea to say in place might have kept evacuation routes from clogging before...
In Florida, Insurers Thankful No Major Hurricane Tested State Fund
Nov 25 2008 // As the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season officially comes to a close this on Nov. 30, Florida can be thankful for being spared from any major hurricane strike again this season. However, the dangers hurricanes present and the...
Hurricane Forecasters Take a Bow: 2008 Predictions Were Right
Nov 25 2008 // Colorado-based weather researchers say eight hurricanes formed in the Atlantic this year, the same number they predicted before the season but one less than their August update called for. Colorado State University...
Successive Hurricanes: Potential Windfall for Insureds?
Nov 24 2008 // The 2008 hurricane season came very close to presenting, on a large scale, the potential quandary caused by successive losses. On Sept.1, 2008, Hurricane Gustav came ashore and caused substantial damage from the Louisiana...
Texas Governor Blasts FEMA, Creates Hurricane Recovery Commission
Nov 21 2008 // Texas Gov. Rick Perry has established the Governor’s Commission for Disaster Recovery and Renewal, an advisory panel of public and private sector experts who will create a plan to assist Texas communities with...
La. Citizens OKs $35M Settlement; Pays $90M in Hurricane Claims
Nov 17 2008 // The board of Louisiana’s last-resort insurance company approved paying up to $35 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging that the firm took too long to pay off policyholders’ claims after the 2005...
Successive Hurricanes: Potential Windfall for Insureds?
Nov 16 2008 // The 2008 hurricane season came very close to presenting, on a large scale, the potential quandary caused by successive losses. On Sept.1, 2008, Hurricane Gustav came ashore and caused substantial damage from the Louisiana...
Best Affirms Lloyd’s Syndicates 609, 570 (Atrium/Ariel) ‘A’ Ratings
Nov 14 2008 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the Best’s Syndicate Rating of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating (ICR) of “a+” of Lloyd’s Syndicates 609 and 570, both of which are managed by Atrium...
Texas House Panel Studies Response to Hurricane Ike
Nov 12 2008 // Hurricane Ike left thousands homeless, millions without power and destroyed houses and businesses along the Texas Gulf Coast. But it also gave state and local governments a chance to learn from their mistakes during a...
Deadline for Hurricane Gustav Disaster Funds Nears in Mississippi
Nov 11 2008 // Nov. 25, 2008, is the deadline to register for federal and state Hurricane Gustav disaster aid, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business...
Paloma Downgraded to Tropical Depression
Nov 10 2008 // Paloma, which had reached Category 4 hurricane strength, lost its punch as it stalled over Cuba Sunday and was downgraded to a tropical depression after coming ashore as a powerful hurricane that battered the island, which...
Validus $126 Million Q3 Net Loss; 9-Month Net Income $16 Million
Nov 10 2008 // Bermuda-based Validus Holdings Limited reported a net loss for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 of $126.3 million, or $1.71 per diluted common share, compared with net income of $136.5 million, or $1.90 per diluted...
Deadlines Loom in Louisiana for Post-Hurricane FEMA Assistance
Nov 10 2008 // The Louisiana Recovery Authority says even people who have insurance should register with FEMA if they were affected by hurricanes Gustav or Ike – and they need to do it soon. The deadline is Dec. 3 for people...
Hawaii Gets New Hurricane Forecaster
Nov 10 2008 // The National Weather Service’s Honolulu Forecast Office is getting a new director of operations. Richard Knabb is currently a hurricane specialist at the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla. He will manage the...
Argo Posts $8.8 Million Q3 Net Loss; $51 Million 9-Month Profit; Conf. Call Today
Nov 4 2008 // The Bermuda-based Argo Group International Holdings managed to post a net profit of 51.1 million for the first nine months of 2008, despite posting an $8.8 million third quarter net loss. Other earnings highlight listed by...
A.M. Best, Insurers Worry Financial Crisis Could Affect Florida’s Cat Fund
Nov 2 2008 // The Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund Advisory Council recently rattled the nerves of insurers when it presented its 2008 October bonding estimates. David Sampson, president of the Property Casualty Insurers Association...
Kentucky Weathering AIG and Ike Hurricanes
Nov 2 2008 // Sharon P. Clark, a 17-year veteran of Kentucky state government, was appointed commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Insurance (DOI) in June. Clark’s experience includes five years as director of the Consumer...
Bright Spots and Challenges Go Hand in Hand in Louisiana
Nov 2 2008 // Despite the challenges faced by the state of Louisiana since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita wrought their havoc in 2005, there are bright spots in the state’s property casualty insurance industry, says Louisiana...
