Descartes’ Data Driven Solution Against Earthquake Risk

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We cover clients’ earthquake exposure in all sectors, offering full flexibility and swift payouts for:

public infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, or dams

industrial buildings

strategic supply chain assets

underground networks & utilities

high value property

Aerial view of seismic activity

Information required

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Statement of values (SOV)

All information pertaining to the location, i.e: GPS coordinates, build, construction, roof covering etc.

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Historical loss records

Information about past earthquake events (e.g. losses, years) to help calibrate the model

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Budget & sum to be insured

Parametric structures are infinitely flexible, and we strive to match the client’s budget

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Risk engineering report (if available)

Report assessing the assets’ vulnerability to the peril

Acute earthquake risk left uninsured by traditional policies

With California being the most vulnerable state to the earthquake risk, earthquakes cost approximately $4.4 billion in the US annually. Although the Northridge quake in 1994 is still the costliest earthquake event on the US record, many cities and states in the US are experiencing earthquakes and their follow-up events, such as tsunamis, landslides, great and small, almost every year. 

While earthquakes are recognized as the deadliest natural disaster in history and as one of the perils that have caused huge material losses over the past two decades, less than 20% of earthquake related losses were covered by insurance. This can be explained with accumulated asset concentration in cities since traditional insurers cannot provide enough capacity to cover higher-value assets. Lack of loss history due to no technology available in the past and low occurrence frequency are also reasons that earthquake risk is not properly insured by traditional policies. 

Data-Driven solutions: Descartes’ innovative approach

Utilizing highly advanced technology and partnering with data providers, Descartes’ data scientist team monitors the evolving earthquake risks in near real-time. This data-driven approach allows us to offer transparent and economical solutions. Once the magnitude hits the predetermined threshold, it directly leads to pay-out so that our clients can financially bounce back faster than ever. 

Parametric insurance revolution: tailored coverage for your business needs against earthquake exposures

Descartes’ parametric insurance has emerged as an innovative risk transfer solution for earthquake risks to fill the gap left by traditional insurance. Corporates and public entities are  provided with the insurance products modeled and customized to the specific earthquake risk they are exposed to respecting their budget. 

case study example

Parametric insurance in action

On April 18, 1906 a magnitude 7.9 earthquake hit the San Francisco Bay Area

Solution

In this highly earthquake exposed region, for this event the parametric cover would have provided the client the followng:

Result

Client location: sum insured USD 100M, impacted by PGA (peak ground acceleration) = 1.11g

payout structure
The client would receive USD $60M
earthquake map with PGA scale

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