Which factor is leading to higher claims in the insurance industry?

The factor leading to higher claims in the insurance industry is closely linked to the increased risks associated with climate change. As climate change exacerbates extreme weather events—such as floods, hurricanes, and wildfires—the frequency and severity of claims made by policyholders rise significantly. This escalation in claims can be attributed to both the physical damage caused by these events and the potential for losses in areas previously considered low-risk.

Carriers must manage these rising claims, which may result in increased premiums and adjustments in policy coverage. Acknowledging the environmental impacts, insurers are also increasingly focusing on risk assessment methodologies to address the uncertainties introduced by climate change, leading to higher claims volume due to the growing number of catastrophic losses.

While factors such as decreased consumer awareness, lower premium rates, and limited understanding of insurance products may influence the market in various ways, they do not directly correlate with the rise in claims as climate change does. Therefore, the link between climate change and insurance claims is fundamentally about the increasing volatility and risk in the natural environment that directly impacts property and casualty insurance.