Seven new storm surge databases from Marshall and Swift/Boeckh(MS/B) are available for download by users of the IntegriClaimproperty claims estimator. This gives claims professionals the mostrecent storm surge data. The total component databases forBeaumont, Tex.; Lake Charles and Shreveport, La.; Jacksonville andKey West, Fla.; Wilmington, N.C., and Toronto, Ont. can be accessedfrom MS/B's Web site, http://www.msbinfo.com.

MS/B's research department continues to monitor material andlabor costs in areas affected by hurricanes Dennis, Katrina,Ophelia, Rita, and Wilma. Storm surge databases are developed,posted, and updated on a regular basis as warranted. The databasesare accessible by IntegriClaim users from any browser and areincluded in MS/B's Catastrophe Response Plan. There now are a totalof 12 storm surge databases available for download.

Also, two MS/B research teams are traveling to the hurricaneareas, with one team going from Mobile, Ala., to Houston, Tex., andanother from New Orleans to Jackson, Miss., interviewing insuranceadjusters and contractors in affected areas as well as visitingmaterial suppliers to validate data they have been receiving."Using this information, MS/B's underwriting analytics and claimsanalytics groups can work with insurance companies to developconcentration of risk analyses for improving catastrophe modelingand reinsurance," says Pascal Lorthioir, vice president of researchand development for MS/B.