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Missouri’s severe convective storms are growing more destructive, with hailstorm-related claims skyrocketing by 245% in 2024 alone. To address this rising risk, ZestyAI has secured regulatory approval from the Missouri Department of Insurance for its Severe Convective Storm suite, including Z-HAIL™, Z-WIND™, and Z-STORM™.
Missouri’s Rising Storm Losses
Missouri’s vulnerability to severe convective storms is well-documented. Since 1980, 82 weather events have each caused over $1 billion in damages. In 2024, a March hailstorm—dubbed the “Gorilla Hail” storm—resulted in nearly 7,000 claims, a dramatic increase from just over 2,000 hail claims the previous year.
How ZestyAI’s Models Make a Difference
ZestyAI’s Severe Convective Storm suite provides property-specific risk assessments, enabling insurers to predict and manage extreme weather impacts with precision.
Key Features:
- Z-HAIL™: Identifies a roof’s susceptibility to hail damage and estimates potential claim severity using property-specific attributes like roof complexity and historical losses.
- Z-WIND™: Predicts wind claim frequency and severity by combining climatology with property-specific data such as roof structure and damage history.
- Z-STORM™: Delivers granular risk scores for storm claim frequency and severity, factoring in climatology, building characteristics, and roof design.
These AI-driven models help insurers proactively manage storm-related risks, allocate resources effectively, and encourage policyholders to take preventive measures.
Empowering Insurers with Advanced Risk Insights
Bryan Rehor, Director of Regulatory Affairs at ZestyAI, said:
Missouri’s exposure to tornadoes, hail, and damaging winds makes advanced risk assessment tools essential. By streamlining the regulatory process, we enable insurers to focus on protecting policyholders while reducing losses.
With regulatory compliance and validated loss data at its core, ZestyAI’s suite enables insurers to:
- Enhance underwriting precision and optimize deductible strategies.
- Provide policyholders with actionable insights to reduce risks and prevent losses.
- Move beyond reactive damage assessments to proactive storm risk management.
Looking Ahead
ZestyAI’s Severe Convective Storm suite has already received regulatory approvals in Texas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa, with additional filings in progress. By equipping insurers with AI-powered tools, ZestyAI is modernizing the way storm risks are assessed, ensuring communities and insurers are better prepared to weather the storm.