Central Insurance Blog

When it comes to protecting what matters most—whether that’s your home, business, or community—severe weather events are increasing in frequency and intensity. From historic wildfires and record-breaking hailstorms to hurricanes pushing their remnants hundreds of miles inland, the growing impact of climate change is reshaping the risks property owners face.The good news is that by combining preventive steps with adequate insurance, property owners can build climate resilience and better prepare for the future.

Read on to explore this concept in more detail and learn how to better protect your assets, with expert insights from Jared Turnwald, senior loss control manager at Central Insurance.

Building Climate Resilience Amid the Rising Threat of Severe Weather

The risks property owners face aren’t new; wind, hail, floods, hurricanes, and wildfires have always posed dangers. But today, those events are more destructive than ever. 

“The world is getting progressively hotter and drier, and storms and fires are becoming larger and more destructive,” Turnwald states. He adds that society’s widespread use of petroleum-based products, such as plastics in furniture, building contents, and construction materials, makes the problem worse. 

These materials ignite more quickly and burn hotter, intensifying everyday house fires and allowing wildfires to spread through entire communities much faster.

Storm severity isn’t the only concern; the scope of impact is also expanding. Communities once considered safe from major natural disasters are now experiencing the ripple effects. 

For example, hurricane remnants that once dissipated along the coastline are reaching inland states like Ohio, leaving costly damage in their wake. No region is absolutely immune anymore.

The Most Vulnerable Areas and How Climate Resilience Can Help

Some areas face greater inherent risk due to geography and climate. 

Coastal properties remain highly susceptible to hurricanes, while drought-prone western states, such as New Mexico and Utah, are increasingly vulnerable to wildfires. In fact, a recent report found that about 26.1% of U.S. homes are exposed to at least one type of severe or extreme climate risk. Turnwald highlights that with everything getting a little drier, nearly all landscapes can become more flammable, and even regions far from the coasts or deserts should account for heightened weather threats.

Certain property types also carry elevated risk. Older buildings constructed with outdated materials may not withstand today’s stronger storms. Likewise, homes and businesses that rebuild quickly after a loss, often using lower-cost, less resilient methods, set themselves up for repeat damage down the road.

Get insights like this right in your inbox. Subscribe to the Central Blog below.

How Insurance Can Evolve to Support Climate Resilience

The insurance industry has always adapted to risk, but today’s climate challenges demand even greater innovation. 

Turnwald believes coverage will need to become more nuanced, taking into account factors such as building location, construction type, and the preventive measures taken during construction or renovation. “We have to be able to reward prevention,” he explains.

This shift may also involve moving beyond the “cheapest bundle” mentality often promoted in marketing, as a low-cost policy might leave out essential protections or include high deductibles that catch policyholders off guard. 

Turnwald emphasizes that emerging solutions, such as parametric insurance, may also play a role in the future. This model utilizes data, including storm tracking and satellite imagery, to trigger automatic payouts when an event occurs, speeding up recovery and reducing claims costs. 

While still primarily used by reinsurers and in catastrophe-prone regions, parametric coverage shows promise for broader adoption.

Closing Insurance Protection Gaps to Strengthen Climate Resilience

Endorsements and add-ons for flood and wind can ensure that common exclusions in your standard property policy don’t leave you unprotected. Property owners need to not only buy coverage but also to understand it. 

“Everybody just sort of thinks having the damage is one thing, but you have to actually know what your policy is going to pay out for it,” Turnwald points out.

Many policyholders are surprised to learn that their deductible isn’t always the same across all types of damage. For example, wind and hail losses often carry separate, higher deductibles—sometimes several times the standard policy deductible. Knowing these details upfront is key to avoiding unpleasant financial surprises after a severe weather event.

Turnwald adds that without adequate insurance coverage, a major loss can leave property owners unable to recover or rebuild fully. Beyond the monetary amount, there’s an emotional toll to enduring loss without a clear plan or the means to recover. 

Proactive insurance planning not only preserves individual property value but also strengthens community resilience, enabling neighborhoods and businesses to recover more quickly after a disaster.

Regular property maintenance can make the difference between withstanding a storm and filing a costly claim. Something as simple as resealing a roof can significantly enhance its ability to withstand high winds. “If you just get up on the roof once or twice a year, you can catch a lot of issues,” Turnwald explains. 

Your local independent Central agent can guide you through preventive measures that strengthen protection and minimize damage.

Central’s Role in Climate Resilience

Natural disasters aren’t just financial events—they’re personal ones. Whether it’s a leaky roof or a community-shattering wildfire, the impact goes beyond property damage. The right combination of preparation, resilience, and insurance coverage helps ensure a faster, smoother, and more complete recovery.

At Central Insurance, our loss control team is committed to helping commercial policyholders prepare for severe weather. From roof inspection checklists to disaster planning resources, we can provide practical tools to identify vulnerabilities and recommend targeted improvements. 

For homeowners, Central delivers comprehensive protection for your home, personal property, and other structures, covering losses not just from common perils, but also unexpected climate-related events. 

For Example: the Signature policy offers replacement cost coverage (so you don’t have to pay for depreciation), water backup protection, and equipment breakdown coverage, helping ensure your home can be repaired or rebuilt to pre-loss condition even after severe or extreme weather covered losses.

Our independent agents also play a critical role, leveraging their knowledge of local risks to guide property owners toward coverage that truly meets their needs, not just the lowest-priced option. Together, we’re dedicated to ensuring you have the right protection in place, with a clear understanding of what’s covered and what isn’t.

Contact your local, independent Central agent for more information about climate resilience or to start your customized quote.