ZestyAI has secured regulatory approval to use its AI-powered Severe Convective Storm models in underwriting and rating in Nebraska and Kansas. The move greenlights Z-HAIL™, Z-WIND™, and Z-STORM™, for use in property-level hail and wind scoring, giving carriers more transparency and precision in two of the nation’s most storm-prone states.
Kansas recorded 495 major hail events (≥1 inch) in 2024, the second-highest total of any U.S. state. Nebraska saw 100 confirmed tornadoes, the most in over 20 years. According to 2024 NAIC reporting, Nebraska posted the highest loss ratio of any state at 135.74%, while Kansas ranked 13th at 67.98%, evidence of the severe financial pressures facing insurers in the region.
ZestyAI’s Severe Convective Storm models analyze the interaction between localized climatology and property-specific characteristics, such as roof condition, design, and complexity, to predict the likelihood and severity of hail, wind, and storm damage claims. In contrast, many models still rely on broad ZIP code or territory-level risk assessments, missing critical property-level signals.
Each model is trained and validated on extensive real-world claims data and provides clear, transparent explanations of the key factors driving each score, enabling more confident underwriting and rating decisions.
Key capabilities include:
- Z-HAIL: Predicts hail damage risk and claim severity using property-specific attributes such as roof complexity and accumulated damage to identify which homes are most likely to file a claim, even within the same neighborhood.
- Z-WIND: Analyzes AI-generated 3D roof condition, complexity, and potential failure points alongside local climatology to deliver pivotal insights into property-specific wind claim vulnerability and severity.
- Z-STORM: Assesses the frequency and severity of storm damage claims, including hail and wind, examining the interaction between climatology and the unique characteristics of every structure and roof.
“Securing approval in the storm epicenter of the U.S. reflects both the transparency of our models and our alignment with rigorous regulatory standards,” said Bryan Rehor, Director of Regulatory Affairs at ZestyAI.
“It gives carriers the confidence to use precise, property-level hail and wind insights where they’re needed most, supporting risk-aligned underwriting and pricing in markets facing escalating storm losses.”
ZestyAI’s Severe Convective Storm models are now approved for use in over 20 states across the Great Plains, Midwest, and U.S. South—regions most impacted by hail, wind, and tornado losses.