Bracing for another active hurricane season amidst COVID-19

Colorado State University is predicting a busier than average 2021 hurricane season with a 25% chance of an “extremely active” season and a 35% chance of an “above average” hurricane risk. (Photo: ronniechua/stock.adobe.com)

The 2020 Atlantic Hurricane season was one of the most active on record. The loss adjusting and claims industry had to quickly adapt with new tools, technologies and resources for storm damage assessments and resolutions during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic that persisted throughout the season. This year’s hurricane season will pose similar challenges. A look back at 2020, however, offers insight into lessons learned that could provide guidance for responsive loss adjusting and effective claims management for the 2021 season within the ongoing pandemic.

Last year’s season was historically prolific in terms of the severity and frequency of storms. The year had 30 Atlantic named storms, breaking the record of 28 set in 2005, which experienced Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma. The season also broke the record for the most storms making landfall in the continental U.S. in a single season with 12 hurricanes, exceeding the longstanding record of nine that occurred in 1916.