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Risk Advisory
—min read

Lithium-Ion Battery Handling & Storage

A best-practice guideline for preparing your facility or home for the safe use and storage of lithium-ion batteries and energy storage systems: how and why cells fail, the fast-shifting regulatory and liability landscape, and configuration-specific controls from a charging bench to a container-scale system.

lithium-ion-battery-handling-storage

A best-practice guideline for preparing your facility or home for the safe use and storage of batteries and energy storage systems.

The Growing Risk

Lithium-ion (Li-ion) and lithium-polymer (Li-Po) batteries now power nearly every corner of modern operations: cordless tools and equipment, material-handling fleets, electric vehicles, micro-mobility devices, and the large stationary energy storage systems (ESS) that stabilize power supply and support renewable generation. Their high energy density, long service life, and fast recharging have made them the default choice. Those same qualities, however, concentrate a great deal of energy into a small, chemically reactive package. When a Li-ion battery is defective, damaged, poorly stored, or improperly charged, it can fail violently, releasing intense heat, toxic gas, and a self-sustaining fire that conventional extinguishers struggle to control.

The scale of the exposure is growing with adoption. Since the start of 2025 alone, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued 46 recalls and safety warnings for consumer products powered by lithium-ion batteries, and several high-profile facility fires have reshaped how regulators, fire officials, and insurers view the hazard. For any organization that uses, charges, or stores these batteries in more than trivial quantities, the question is no longer whether to manage the risk, but how thoroughly.

This guideline is a practical roadmap for our clients. It explains how and why these batteries fail, summarizes the emerging legal and regulatory landscape, and lays out configuration-specific best practices for preparing your facility, from a handful of tool batteries on a charging bench to a container-scale energy storage system.

Understanding the Risk

How lithium-ion batteries fail: thermal runaway

Nearly every serious Li-ion incident traces back to a single phenomenon: thermal runaway. It begins when one cell generates more heat than it can dissipate, often because of an internal short from a manufacturing defect, physical damage such as a puncture or crush, overcharging, deep discharge, or exposure to excessive heat. As the cell heats, it ignites its own flammable electrolyte; that heat spreads to adjacent cells, which fail in turn, producing a self-reinforcing chain reaction. Because the reaction generates its own oxygen, these fires are difficult to extinguish, can reignite hours later, and react violently with water where lithium metal is present.

Critically, failure does not happen all at once. It escalates through recognizable stages, and the earlier the failure is detected, the more options remain to intervene.

The four stages of thermal runaway: abuse, off-gas, smoke, and fire, with prevention and early detection possible in the first two stages.

Beyond fire: toxic and environmental exposure

Li-ion fires are not only a combustion hazard. Burning cells release highly toxic gases, including hydrogen fluoride (HF) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS, the persistent “forever chemicals”), that can injure the eyes, skin, and respiratory system and require evacuation. Water used to fight a battery fire can become contaminated with heavy metals such as cobalt, nickel, copper, and manganese, creating a risk of soil and groundwater pollution if it is not contained. After the January 2025 Moss Landing energy storage fire in California, which destroyed roughly 55,000 battery modules, EPA soil sampling detected several of these heavy metals at levels exceeding screening standards in the surrounding area.

The emerging legal and regulatory landscape

The regulatory picture is shifting quickly, and it increasingly reaches organizations that merely handle batteries rather than manufacture them. In May 2023, the EPA advised that most lithium-ion batteries on the market today are likely to qualify as hazardous waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) based on their ignitability and reactivity. The agency is now developing a dedicated “universal waste” category for lithium batteries, with a proposed rule anticipated in 2026 and a final rule expected in 2027. At the state level, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs are expanding. Illinois requirements took effect January 1, 2026, and California has enacted both stewardship-plan obligations (AB 2440) and a point-of-sale recycling fee (SB 1215). Meanwhile, some states impose stricter hazardous-waste thresholds than the federal baseline.

The liability exposure is equally significant. Under the federal Superfund statute (CERCLA), cleanup liability is strict, joint-and-several, and retroactive: facility owners and operators, parties that arrange for disposal or recycling, and transporters can all be named, and even sending a small volume of defective cells to a contaminated site can expose a company to a share of the full cleanup cost. Following Moss Landing, the operator entered a CERCLA settlement in July 2025 to fund a cleanup expected to take two or more years. Organizations once considered removed from battery operations, such as auto dealerships handling EV batteries or retailers managing consumer returns, can now trigger hazardous-waste obligations, and California penalties can reach tens of thousands of dollars per day, with criminal exposure for knowing violations.

The Growing Risk

Foundations: Selection, Inspection, and Built-In Safeguards

Buy quality; avoid counterfeits

The single most effective way to reduce battery risk is to keep defective cells out of your facility in the first place. Purchase tools, equipment, and batteries from reputable manufacturers whose products are certified to the applicable Underwriters Laboratories (UL) standards, and buy replacement batteries and chargers only from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or its authorized vendors. Counterfeit and aftermarket batteries frequently omit the internal safeguards that protect genuine cells and are a leading contributor to failures. Where your application allows, consider lithium iron phosphate (LFP / LiFePO₄) cells, a Li-ion chemistry known for greater thermal stability and lower susceptibility to thermal runaway.

Inspect on arrival and before every use

Establish a quality-control step so a designated employee inspects new batteries on delivery, and personnel check batteries before each use. Remove from service, and dispose of properly, any battery showing bulging or swelling; cracked, broken, or discolored casings; excessive heat during charging or use; hissing; leaking; or smoke or unusual odors. Multimeters and digital or infrared thermometers support periodic, documented health checks. Keep a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) on file for every battery on site; these drive correct storage, handling, and emergency response.

Rely on built-in protections, but not on them alone

Quality Li-ion batteries include layered safeguards: a separator that shuts down ion flow as temperature rises, a pressure-relief vent, thermal interrupts and fuses, overcharge and short-circuit protection, temperature sensors, cell balancing, and a Battery Management System (BMS) that monitors state of charge, temperature, and cell health and can disconnect the pack when it detects an anomaly. These features reduce risk but do not eliminate it; facility controls remain essential.

Preparing Your Facility by Configuration

The right controls depend on how batteries are used and stored. The practices below address the configurations our clients most commonly operate; a summary of key setbacks and standards appears in the table at the end of this section.

General and bulk storage

Charging stations for tools and equipment

Most tool-battery incidents occur during charging. To avoid this:

Energy storage systems (ESS / BESS)

Stationary energy storage introduces the largest concentration of stored energy on many sites and warrants a design-led approach. New systems should be certified to UL 9540 (Energy Storage Systems and Equipment) and evaluated using the UL 9540A test method, which characterizes thermal-runaway fire propagation and informs required spacing, ventilation, and fire protection; battery units should be UL 1973-listed and inverters UL 1741-certified. Installations should follow NFPA 855 (Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems) and NFPA 70 (Article 706). For further continuity:

Material-handling equipment (forklifts and pallet jacks)

Electric material-handling fleets increasingly use Li-ion packs with decentralized “opportunity charging” throughout the operation. System best practices for this equipment include:

Electric vehicles and micro-mobility

E-bikes, e-scooters, and hoverboards are a frequent source of facility fires, and many jurisdictions now regulate them; in New York City, for example, e-bikes must be certified to UL 2849. As such, it is recommended that a policy be adopted that outlines the following:

Key setbacks and standards at a glance, comparing bulk storage, tool and equipment charging, energy storage systems, material-handling fleets, and EV and micro-mobility.

Emergency Response and Incident Readiness

Even well-run facilities should plan for failure. Build a written emergency response plan around the principle that early action and fast evacuation save lives and property. It is heavily recommended that the local fire department be contacted and made aware of the type, configuration, and location of battery systems within your facility. Having their insight and input into the development of your emergency response plan is vital.

Detection and isolation. Train staff to recognize the early signs (unusual odor, discoloration, swelling, excessive heat, hissing, or smoke) and, only if it is safe to do so, to move a suspect battery away from combustibles into a fire-rated isolation container. Keep a pail of sand nearby as a smothering agent.

Small, incipient fires. Because battery fires emit toxic fumes, all untrained personnel should evacuate immediately. Only personnel specifically trained to fight small battery fires should attempt to do so, positioned between the fire and the nearest exit; if the extinguisher is ineffective, smoke becomes heavy, or the responder is at all uncomfortable, they should evacuate. If flames are subdued, submerge the battery in sand or douse with water as directed by the SDS; sand is the safer choice where lithium metal may be present.

Thermal runaway and large fires. No one should attempt to fight a thermal-runaway or large-scale fire. Activate the alarm, evacuate the building, and call emergency services, providing the battery type and size, the location, and any hazardous materials present, and hand the relevant SDS to responders when possible.

First aid. For eye or skin exposure, flush with water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical attention; move anyone exposed to fumes or smoke into fresh air and administer first aid or CPR as needed. Because effects can be delayed, exposed individuals should be evaluated by a medical professional.

Disposal and cleanup. Never place Li-ion batteries in general waste; route them to a certified recycler, and store damaged units awaiting pickup in a non-combustible container located about 25 ft (8 m) from occupied buildings. Provide containment or retention basins to capture contaminated firefighting water, consistent with the environmental exposures described earlier.

A best-practice guideline for preparing your facility or home for the safe use and storage of batteries and energy storage systems.
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Private Client
—min read

2026 Personal Insurance and Risk Management Trends in Private Client Services

A Comprehensive Analysis of Emerging Risks, Market Dynamics, and Strategic Solutions for High-Net-Worth Individuals The private client insurance landscape is experiencing unprecedented transformation driven by converging forces: escalating climate-related catastrophes, explosive cyber threats, nuclear verdict litigation trends, and the largest intergenerational wealth transfer in history.

2026-personal-insurance-and-risk-management-trends-in-private-client-services

A Comprehensive Analysis of Emerging Risks, Market Dynamics, and Strategic Solutions for High-Net-Worth Individuals

The private client insurance landscape is experiencing unprecedented transformation driven by converging forces: escalating climate-related catastrophes, explosive cyber threats, nuclear verdict litigation trends, and the largest intergenerational wealth transfer in history. As we enter 2026, high-net-worth (HNW) individuals and families face a fundamentally different risk environment than existed even five years ago.

Key findings include:

  1. Climate-driven property insurance costs rose 10.4% nationally in 2024, with catastrophe losses reaching $176 billion
  2. Personal cyber risk exposure exploded 3,000% for deepfake fraud, with average U.S. breach costs exceeding $10.22 million
  3. Nuclear verdicts ($10M+) median awards reached $23.8M in 2023, creating liability insurance crises
  4. Baby boomers control $19.7 trillion in real estate (41% of U.S. total), creating complex transfer challenges
  5. Protection gaps widened significantly, with only 47% of catastrophe losses insured in 2024

For private clients, their advisors, and family offices, 2026 demands proactive risk management strategies addressing these interconnected exposures while navigating an increasingly complex insurance marketplace.


The Evolving High-Net-Worth Risk Landscape

Baby boomers control $19.7 trillion in U.S. real estate—41% of total value despite representing only 20% of the population[1]. This concentration, combined with aging properties and intensifying climate risks, creates unprecedented insurance challenges.

High-net-worth individuals face converging exposures: multiple properties across catastrophe-prone regions, valuable collections requiring specialized coverage, elevated liability risks from social inflation, complex estate structures demanding policy coordination, and growing cyber vulnerability as digital wealth management expands.

The insurance protection gap has widened dramatically. In 2024, U.S. catastrophe economic losses reached $176 billion while insured losses totaled only $99 billion—a $77 billion protection gap[2]. For private clients, this reflects underinsurance from rapid property appreciation, coverage exclusions for flood and earth movement, policy sub-limits, increasing carrier restrictions in high-risk areas, and, in some cases, the choice to self-insure.


1. Climate Change and Property Insurance Crisis

Chart of U.S. Billion-Dollar Disasters 1980-2025 from Climate Central. Simpson McCrady

The year 2025 marked the fourth-warmest on record for the United States, with 27 weather disasters exceeding $1 billion in losses each[3]. Notable events included the Eaton and Palisades Fires destroying 18,000+ structures in Southern California, Texas Hill Country’s 1-in-1,000 year flood killing 135 people, and 1,559 tornado reports—fifth-highest on record[3].

Sea level rise has doubled from .06 inches to .14 inches annually, creating 3-9 times more frequent coastal flooding than 50 years ago[4]. Combined with accelerating drought (42.8% of U.S. affected per US Drought Monitor), these trends fundamentally reshape property insurability.[4]

Insurance Market Response:

Homeowners insurance rates increased 10.4% nationally in 2024, with six states exceeding 20%[5]. Major carriers withdrew from California, Florida, and Louisiana, forcing reliance on surplus lines (up 31.2% to $5 billion) and residual markets (up 6% to $10 billion)[5]. Carriers implemented percentage-based wind/hail deductibles, roof age restrictions, and tightened underwriting standards.

For HNW clients with multiple high-value properties, this creates acute challenges: limited carrier options, higher premiums, broader exclusions, and potential uninsurability in catastrophe-prone coastal and wildfire zones where many retirement properties are concentrated.

How to address:

Home Resiliency
  • Prioritize loss‑prevention tools as these steps can improve insurance options and potentially reduce premiums:
  • Water leak detection and automatic shutoff systems
    Whole home backup generators
    Annual or seasonal maintenance checklists to address minor issues before they become major
Coverage Options

Review your policy for exposures such as flood, earthquake, and sinkhole to determine whether adding these coverages makes sense based on where your home is located.

Acquisitions
  • Consult your advisor before making an offer—especially for out of town or out of state home purchases. This helps you ask your realtor the right questions, improve insurability, manage long term costs and make educated buying decisions.
  • Consolidating coverage with one carrier can enhance program efficiency, improve eligibility for better coverage, and ensure consistency across policies to prevent gaps or overlaps in coverage.

2. The Cyber Threat to Personal Wealth

Dramatic image of a disguised hacker representative of the cyber threat to personal wealth. Simpson McCrady.

Escalating Personal Cyber Threats

Ransomware Evolution

Ransomware was involved in 44% of all data breaches in 2024, with attacks shifting to “double extortion”—stealing personal financial records, tax returns, estate documents, and smart home data before encrypting systems and threatening public release[7].

The Deepfake Epidemic

AI-generated deepfakes exploded 3,000% in 2025, enabling unprecedented fraud targeting wealthy individuals[9]:

  • Voice cloning of family members requesting urgent wire transfers
  • Video impersonations of financial advisors authorizing transactions
  • Synthetic identity creation for account takeovers
  • AI-enhanced phishing with 54% success rates—quadruple traditional methods[10]
Shadow AI Risks

Household staff and family members using unauthorized AI tools (ChatGPT, Claude) for convenience create data leakage risks as personal information may be retained and exposed.

Cyber Risk Management Best Practices

Private clients should implement layered cyber defenses:

Technical Controls
  1. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Strongly recommended for all financial accounts, email, cloud storage.
  2. Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR): Advanced antivirus/anti-malware on all devices
  3. Network Segmentation: Separate IoT/smart home devices from financial/personal computing
  4. VPN Usage: Virtual private networks for all remote/travel internet connections
Interactive Best Practices
  1. Wire Transfer Protocols: Verbal confirmation of all wire instructions via known phone numbers
  2. Email Authentication: Training to identify phishing, suspicious links, urgency-based manipulation
  3. Social Media Privacy: Limit disclosure of travel, property locations, purchases, family information
Coverage Coordination
  1. Review homeowners for any cyber coverage endorsements and what limits are available.
  2. Coordinate with any business cyber policies if working from home.
  3. Understand what is and isn’t covered.

3. Nuclear Verdicts and Liability Crisis

Partial Image of female judge knocking her gavel which is representative of  nuclear verdicts and the liability crisis in insurance. Simpson McCrady.

Nuclear verdicts—jury awards exceeding $10 million—have escalated dramatically. Analysis of 1,288 verdicts from 2013-2022 reveals median awards reaching $23.8 million in 2023 (up from $21.1 million), with mega verdicts ($100M+) increasing 400% since 2013[14].

Florida leads with 0.939 verdicts per 100,000 people—50% higher than New York. California, Florida, New York, and Texas produce half of all national nuclear verdicts[15]. State courts host 90% of verdicts versus only 10% in federal courts.

Critically, noneconomic damages (pain and suffering) drive verdict severity. In seven of ten years, noneconomic damages exceeded punitive damages, demonstrating susceptibility to psychological manipulation including “reptile theory” tactics, anchoring (suggesting arbitrary amounts that double to quadruple awards), and $1 billion in annual lawsuit advertising normalizing extreme awards[16][17][18].

Impacts on Private Clients

A 2025 Georgia jury awarded $4.2 million for a dog attack—far exceeding typical homeowners policy sub-limits of $100,000-500,000[19].

Making sure you have an appropriate umbrella limit is paramount. This limit of coverage is meant to be a moving target that is adjusted as your lifestyle evolves. Have a conversation with your advisor to discuss any significant changes in your net worth and/or public profile. Higher limits are available and we’re here to help.


4. Intergenerational Wealth Transfer Challenges

An image of three generations in one family on a hike representative of intergenerational wealth transfer. Simpson McCrady.

Baby boomers control $19.7 trillion in real estate, with the boomer population projected to decline 23% by 2035 and another 47% by 2045—transferring enormous holdings to millennial and Gen X heirs[21][22]. However, nearly 40% have lived in current homes 20+ years, with 68% in homes at least 30 years old[23]. Deferred maintenance—aging roofs, HVAC systems, electrical, and plumbing—often requires $50,000-$200,000+ in immediate upgrades inheritors lack funds to complete.

Insurance Complications

When aging parents move to assisted living, standard homeowners policies limit vacant property coverage to 30-60 days, requiring vacant home endorsements (30-50% higher premiums), regular inspections, winterization, and security monitoring. Failure to maintain proper coverage results in claim denials for theft, vandalism, or weather damage.

Post-inheritance, carriers increasingly restrict coverage on older homes through roof age limitations (declining roofs over 15-20 years), four-point inspections, wind mitigation requirements, and wiring restrictions. Inheritors may discover properties uninsurable without significant investment.

Multiple heirs create additional complications: disagreement on disposition, unequal contribution ability, mortgage difficulties, and liability exposure when one heir is judgment-proof while another has assets.

Many boomers retired to Sunbelt locations—Florida, California, Texas, Louisiana, Arizona—now facing acute climate risks. Millennial inheritors discover properties in locations they don’t want with deteriorating insurance availability. [26].

Avoiding Underinsurance (and Overinsurance)

  • Choose carriers that use in home appraisals, apply annual inflation guards, and offer guaranteed or extended replacement cost. These protections help maintain proper insurance to value.
  • If you haven’t appraised your fine art, jewelry, or collectibles in 3–5 years, schedule an updated review. Rising precious metal values mean some items may now be underinsured, while others may not require as much coverage and should be reduced which would provide a premium savings.

Asset Transfer Guidance

  • Speak with your advisor before transferring assets to ensure proper risk management and insurance planning.
  • Advisors can help prepare the next generation with education, loss prevention strategies, and insurance guidance.
  • Homes: Discuss improvements that enhance home resiliency and insurability.
  • Jewelry, fine art, wine/spirits: Review loss likelihood and proper insurance and risk management approaches.
  • Middle market carriers often won’t insure high value items, or, in some cases, charge more for inadequate coverage.
  • Asset transfers often indicate that the next generation needs a more sophisticated, high net worth insurance program.
  • Working with a private client insurance advisor ensures proper coverage, carrier selection, and expert guidance.

2026 Market Outlook

The private client insurance landscape of 2026 is characterized by converging mega-trends which interact and compound and the need to adjust accordingly is evident.
Property insurance faces continued volatility with national average increases projected 8-12% for homeowners, and 15-25% on average in catastrophe-prone states (FL, CA, TX, LA).

Percentage-based wind/hail deductibles expand beyond coastal zones, roof age limitations tighten to 15-year maximums, and carriers reduce willingness to write vacant or secondary homes. However, reinsurance rates declined 6.6% at January 2025 renewals, bringing modest relief.

Personal cyber policies are becoming a standard need for all clients, with limits increasing in response to the increasing risk.

Umbrella/excess liability premium increases moderate to 5-10% in 2026 after prior 15-30% spikes. There is additional underwriting scrutiny on driver records, property maintenance, dog breeds, and water features.


Conclusion

As the private client insurance environment undergoes rapid and profound change, high net worth individuals face a level of complexity and exposure unlike any previous era.

Climate driven property volatility, surging cyber threats, escalating liability awards, and the massive transfer of aging assets across generations are reshaping both risk and insurability.

In this landscape, protection gaps widen quickly, traditional carriers offer fewer solutions, and the costs of inaction grow exponentially. The path forward requires proactive planning—strengthening property resiliency, modernizing cyber defenses, securing adequate liability protection, and preparing heirs with the right education and insurance structures.

By partnering with skilled private client advisors and adopting a coordinated risk management strategy, families can safeguard wealth, maintain insurability, and navigate the evolving challenges of 2026 and beyond with confidence.

We invite you to reach out with any questions as we’re here to provide recommendations, information and guidance.

Interested in learning more? Check out our Insights page for other relevant education topics.


References

[1] Redfin analysis (2025). Baby boomer real estate holdings. Business Insider.
[2] National Association of Insurance Commissioners. (2025). Natural Catastrophe Risk Dashboard Report, December 31, 2024.
[3] National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). (2025). Assessing the U.S. Temperature and Precipitation Analysis in 2025. NOAA.
[4] NOAA Climate.gov. (2025). Sea level change data. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Climate Change: Global Sea Level | NOAA Climate.gov
Monthly Climate Reports | Drought Report | December 2025 | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)
[5] National Association of Insurance Commissioners. (2025). Homeowners loss ratio and P&C combined ratio data. Natural Catastrophe Risk Dashboard Report. Natural Catastrophe Risk Dashboard Report.pdf
[6] Khalil, M. (2025, December 3). Cyber Insurance Statistics 2025: Key Trends & Data. DeepStrike. https://deepstrike.io/blog/cyber-insurance-statistics-2025
[7] Khalil, M. (2025). Ransomware involvement in data breaches. Cyber Insurance Statistics 2025. DeepStrike.
[8] Khalil, M. (2025). Ransom demand and payment dynamics. Cyber Insurance Statistics 2025. DeepStrike.
[9] Khalil, M. (2025). Deepfake fraud statistics. Cyber Insurance Statistics 2025. DeepStrike.
[10] Khalil, M. (2025). AI-enhanced phishing success rates. Cyber Insurance Statistics 2025. DeepStrike.
[11] Khalil, M. (2025). Business email compromise claim statistics. Cyber Insurance Statistics 2025. DeepStrike.
[12] IBM Security. (2025). Cost of a Data Breach Report 2025. Cited in DeepStrike Cyber Insurance Statistics 2025.
[13] IBM Security. (2025). AI and automation impact on breach costs. Cost of a Data Breach Report 2025.
[14] Silverman, C., & Appel, C. E. (2024, May). Nuclear Verdicts: An Update on Trends, Causes, and Solutions. U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform.
[15] Silverman, C., & Appel, C. E. (2024). Top states for nuclear verdicts analysis. Nuclear Verdicts Report. Institute for Legal Reform.
[16] Silverman, C., & Appel, C. E. (2024). Economic vs. noneconomic damage composition. Nuclear Verdicts Report. Institute for Legal Reform.
[17] Silverman, C., & Appel, C. E. (2024). Anchoring tactics driving nuclear verdicts. Nuclear Verdicts Report. Institute for Legal Reform.
[18] Silverman, C., & Appel, C. E. (2024). Lawsuit advertising impact on verdicts. Nuclear Verdicts Report. Institute for Legal Reform.
[19] PropertyCasualty360. (2025, April 16). Georgia jury awards elderly woman $4.2M for dog attack. https://www.propertycasualty360.com/2025/04/16/georgia-jury-awards-elderly-woman-42m-for-dog-attack/
[20] TransRe. (2024). Medical malpractice verdict analysis. Cited in Institute for Legal Reform Nuclear Verdicts Report.
[21] National Association of Realtors. (2024). Baby boomer real estate ownership analysis. Business Insider.
[22] Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. (2024). Baby boomer population decline projections 2025-2045. Business Insider.
[23] Leaf Home & Morning Consult. (2024). Survey of 1,000 baby boomers on home age and maintenance. Business Insider.
[24] Metz, J. (2025). California property tax implications of inheritance. Senior Homeowner Solutions. Business Insider.
[25] Yahoo Finance. (2025). State Farm refused to cover Florida man’s repairs on his Porsche—why the courts are now involved. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/state-farm-refused-cover-florida-095800478.html
[26] Fairweather, D. (2025). Chief Economist commentary on inherited property challenges. Redfin. Business Insider. Boomers are leaving their millennial Children with a huge headache — James Morris Homes
[27] S&P Global Ratings. (2024). Cyber insurance market outlook: Premiums projected to reach US$23 billion by 2026 amid stable industry conditions. Industrial Cyber.

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Private Client
—min read

Why you deserve more than a 1-800 number

Why successful and high net worth individuals and families deserve more than a 1-800 number. You’re busy. You juggle multiple calendars. You run a business (or two). You travel (a lot). You have a booked schedule with patients in your waiting room.

why-you-deserve-more-than-a-1-800-number

Why successful and high net worth individuals and families deserve more than a 1-800 number.

You’re busy. You juggle multiple calendars. You run a business (or two). You travel (a lot). You have a booked schedule with patients in your waiting room.

You have your wealth manager, estate planning attorney, and/or your accountant all in your contact list and know them on a first name basis so you can get quick and to-the-point answers. Shouldn’t your risk management and insurance team be the same?

You deserve an insurance advisor you can actually call.
Request a confidential consultation with a Simpson | McCrady advisor to discuss your current coverage and risk exposures.

Click Here and Request a Consultation

In an evolving agent and advisory landscape, it is becoming more frequent that we have someone come to us describing their previous agency experience with a degradation of service over the years or, in some cases, a complete lack thereof. They’re given a 1-800 number to make policy changes or to call when something goes wrong and they need to file a claim. The agent can’t provide the increased liability limits that they need to protect their net worth or identity and cyber options to protect against an attack. They can’t help with the new secondary home out of state, high end vehicles, growing fine art collection, or provide proper guidance on the increased risks of an in ground pool, in home domestic staff, snow mobiles, ATVs or high performance watercrafts. They lack the sophistication to handle complex risks.

“I don’t even know who my agent is.” This is a phrase we hear more often than not when we speak to someone looking for a change and looking for a better experience.

If your current insurance experience feels impersonal or transactional, it may be time for a different approach.

Schedule a Private a Consultation

We are a boutique firm that specializes in helping successful families and individuals prepare for the “what if’s” in life. We help during stressful times when something goes wrong and guidance or a helping hand is needed. We are a fiercely independent agency that benefits from being small and nimble to pivot and adapt to our client’s needs as they evolve. There is no 1-800 number with us.

At Simpson | McCrady, every client works directly with a dedicated advisory team — not a call center.

Speak with a Trusted Advisor

We represent multiple high net worth and affluent insurance companies so our clients know that they’re getting what’s best for their unique situation and a risk management plan to buffer them from what can be avoided or mitigated up front.

Every client that we serve has a dedicated team in house. We assist with the day to day things like purchasing or selling a vehicle, a new piece of jewelry or piece of artwork. We also assist with more complex discussions like a significant fire loss or automobile accident, artwork or collector vehicles in transit internationally, the purchase of a secondary home in a different state or a significant home renovation. We also address the different risk management discussions that should take place around these topics, the excitement (and anxiety) about a daughter or son getting their driver’s license or heading off to college and what the parents can do to protect them, the unfortunate event of a divorce, or a death in the family and assets that are being transferred to the next generation.

Complex lives require thoughtful risk planning.

Request a Risk & Coverage Review

Our team members are constantly seeking ways to better equip themselves for these evolving conversations with continuing education and earning additional specialty designations. We have numerous team members holding designations for CISR, CIC, CPRIA and CAPI, to name a few, and the list is still growing. Our office is also a proud member of the Private Risk Management Association (PRMA) which is recognized as the forum and voice of the high net-worth private risk and insurance management niche.

If your current insurance relationship feels impersonal — or you’re unsure whether your coverage truly reflects your lifestyle and assets — our advisors are here to help.

If you believe you need a step up from the norm, reach out to discuss our process and how we help clients protect tomorrow, today.

Request a Private Consultation,

call us directly at 412-261-2222, or email us at info@simpson-mccrady.com.

For more resources and information about Simpson | McCrady, check out our Facebook and LinkedIn pages.

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Private Client

Protecting High-Net-Worth Assets in an Evolving Risk Landscape: 2025 Trends

The risk and insurance landscape for high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) is rapidly evolving due to legal, economic, and environmental changes. From the rise of nuclear verdicts driving liability exposures to increasing material costs affecting home valuations, strategic insurance planning has never been more critical to protecting high-net-worth assets.

Insights2025
protecting-high-net-worth-assets-in-an-evolving-risk-landscape-2025-trends

The risk and insurance landscape for high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) is rapidly evolving due to legal, economic, and environmental changes. From the rise of nuclear verdicts driving liability exposures to increasing material costs affecting home valuations, strategic insurance planning has never been more critical to protecting high-net-worth assets. Additionally, catastrophic weather events, shifting real estate dynamics, and the ripple effects of disasters like last year’s hurricanes and the Palisade and Eaton wildfires demand a reassessment of coverage strategies.

This overview outlines key areas of concern and solutions to ensure that HNWIs maintain robust financial protection against emerging risks:

  1. The Growing Need for Umbrella Liability Coverage Amid Nuclear Verdicts
  2. Adjusting Home Valuations to Address Underinsurance Risks and Insuring High End Vehicles with Appropriate Replacement Cost Coverage
  3. Investing in Home Resiliency to Mitigate Catastrophic Weather Risks
  4. Flood Insurance Trends & Rising Exposure Risks
  5. Shifts in the Real Estate Market & Their Insurance Implications
  6. Insurance Market Adjustments Post-Palisades and Eaton Wildfires

 

Deep Dive: The Risks in Detail and Solutions

1. The Growing Need for Umbrella Liability Coverage Amid Nuclear Verdicts Umbrellas floating in the sky. Simpson McCrady Protecting High-Net-Worth Assets in an Evolving Risk Landscape: 2025 Trends.

Understanding the Risk

Nuclear verdicts—jury awards exceeding $10 million—are on the rise, particularly in cases involving personal liability, auto accidents, and premises liability. Plaintiffs’ attorneys increasingly target individuals with substantial assets, leveraging social inflation and jury sympathy to secure massive settlements.

Why Standard Liability Coverage Is Insufficient for Protecting High-Net-Worth Assets

Most primary home and auto insurance policies offer liability limits between $300,000 and $500,000, an amount that is often inadequate in the face of today’s legal climate. One severe accident or lawsuit could result in financial devastation if assets are not properly protected.

Solution: High-Limit Umbrella Policies

An umbrella liability policy provides excess coverage beyond home and auto policies, ensuring financial security against high-stakes litigation that can threaten high-net-worth assets. For HNWIs, policies with limits of $5 million to $100 million are available, depending on asset exposure and risk profile. If limits have not been reviewed in the last few years, now is the time.

 

2. Adjusting Home Valuations to Address Underinsurance Risks and Insuring High End Vehicles with Appropriate Replacement Cost Coverage

Homes:

Luxury home encased in beautiful green trees. Simpson McCrady Protecting High-Net-Worth Assets in an Evolving Risk Landscape: 2025 Trends.

The Rising Cost of Rebuilding

Within the last five years, we have seen a surge in construction costs post pandemic and, most recently, with tariff uncertainty causing overall construction costs to increase roughly 40%. Many factors driving this include:

  • Supply chain disruptions impacting building material delivery timelines and costs.
  • Labor shortages inflating contractor expenses.
  • Increased demand following natural disasters driving up rebuilding costs.
The Underinsurance Problem

Many HNWIs fail to regularly adjust their home insurance coverage to reflect these market shifts, especially after renovations and additions, leaving properties significantly underinsured. This discrepancy becomes painfully clear when claims settlements fall short of actual reconstruction costs.

Solution: Appraisals & Guaranteed Replacement Cost Coverage
  • Appraisals post issuance for new policies and updating your insurance advisor of home improvements ensure that insured values reflect current rebuilding expenses. It is important to note that replacement costs are calculated differently than market value costs.
    Guaranteed replacement cost policies cover full reconstruction costs, even if they exceed policy limits.

Cars:

A porsche at sunset in a driveway. Simpson McCrady Protecting High-Net-Worth Assets in an Evolving Risk Landscape: 2025 Trends.

New Technology Impacts

Newer, high-end vehicles have similarly seen pain points on the insurance front making it important to insure appropriately. The conveniences of high-tech smart car features and the evolution of electric vehicle technology has significantly impacted the repair costs and components that go into your new vehicles – and how insurance companies need to respond.

Solution: Premium Insurance Coverage and Flexibility to Choose the Right Body Shop
  • Choose an insurance carrier that matches the sophistication of your car. Policies that offer Agreed value and robust temporary rental vehicle limits for your vehicles and collector cars help you avoid out of pocket expenses when a claim happens.
  • Having the flexibility to use an auto body shop that has the appropriate equipment, licensed staff, and original equipment manufacturer parts for the repairs are important not only for the vehicle safety features but also, so you don’t void out any vehicle warranties.

 

3. Investing in Home Resiliency to Mitigate Catastrophic Weather Risks

United States 2024 Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters published by NCEI and NOAA. Simpson McCrady Protecting High-Net-Worth Assets in an Evolving Risk Landscape: 2025 Trends.

The Growing Threat of Extreme Weather

Hurricanes, wildfires, and other climate-driven disasters are occurring with greater frequency and severity. HNWIs must proactively fortify their properties to reduce risk exposure and secure better insurance terms.

Home Resiliency Investments That Matter

  • Fire-resistant materials & ember-resistant vents (critical in wildfire-prone regions).
  • Hurricane-rated windows, reinforced roofs, and flood engineering considerations (for coastal and storm-exposed properties).
  • Backup power solutions (such as whole-home generators) to maintain security and prevent losses.

Insurance Benefits of Proactive Resiliency

Carriers are increasingly offering premium discounts and favorable terms for policyholders who invest in risk mitigation strategies, making these upgrades financially strategic.

 

4. Flood Insurance Trends & Rising Exposure Risks Related to Protecting Your High-Net-Worth Assets

Flooded luxury home kitchen. Simpson McCrady Protecting High-Net-Worth Assets in an Evolving Risk Landscape: 2025 Trends.

Expanding Flood Risk Beyond FEMA Flood Zones

It’s important to remember that low risk does not mean no risk. Climate change is driving unexpected flooding in areas previously considered low-risk which is driving this as a needed component of a family’s insurance portfolio. According to recent studies, over 25% of flood insurance claims now come from properties outside FEMA’s designated high-risk zones.

Challenges with National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Coverage

  • NFIP policies cap coverage at $250,000 for dwellings and $100,000 for contents, which is far below the needs of HNWI’s homes.
  • FEMA’s Risk Rating 2.0 has led to significant premium increases, making private flood insurance a more attractive option.

Solution: Private Flood Insurance & Excess Flood Coverage

  • Private flood carriers offer higher limits and more flexible terms.
    Excess flood policies provide coverage beyond NFIP caps, ensuring full protection.

 

5. Shifts in the Real Estate Market & Their Insurance Implications

Coastal homes in Charleston, SC. Simpson McCrady Protecting High-Net-Worth Assets in an Evolving Risk Landscape: 2025 Trends.

Market Trends Affecting HNWIs

Impact on Insurance Strategies

Properties in high-risk zones may require specialty insurance markets.

Multi-property owners should consolidate policies with high-net-worth specialty agents and insurers to optimize coverage and costs. By leveraging the entire insurance program, terms become more favorable and create consistency with holistic coverage and risk management philosophies.

The earlier you can discuss a potential new property purchase with your insurance agent, the better so they can provide important home risk characteristics to consider and contemplate the best possible insurance and risk management options available.

 

6. Insurance Market Adjustments Post-Palisades and Eaton Wildfires

The remains of a high-end home completely destroyed by wildfire in California, with the charred shell of a car and large wooden beams which have been reduced to charcoal. Simpson McCrady Protecting High-Net-Worth Assets in an Evolving Risk Landscape: 2025 Trends.

The Fallout of the Wildfires

The Palisades and Eaton wildfires were a stark reminder of the increasing wildfire risk for affluent homeowners, particularly in California and other fire-prone states. In the aftermath:

  • Insurers tightened underwriting standards, with some carriers ceasing to write new policies in high-risk zones.
  • Premiums are increasing for existing policyholders.
  • Non-renewals increased, forcing homeowners to seek coverage through surplus lines carriers.

Solutions for HNWIs in High-Risk Fire Zones

  • Work with specialized high-net-worth insurance carriers that understand the unique needs of affluent homeowners.
  • Implement fire mitigation strategies (e.g., defensible space, home hardening) to maintain insurability.

 

Conclusion: A Proactive Approach to Insurance for Protecting High-Net-Worth Assets

As risks evolve, high-net-worth individuals must take a proactive approach to insurance planning to protect their wealth, properties, tangible assets, and personal liability exposures. Key takeaways include:

  • Umbrella liability coverage is essential to shield against nuclear verdicts.
  • Insuring your home to value and reassessing when renovating are necessary to prevent underinsurance.
  • Investing in home resiliency mitigates catastrophic weather risks.
  • Flood insurance must be evaluated beyond FEMA guidelines.
  • Shifts in real estate markets require tailored insurance solutions.
  • Post-wildfire insurance challenges necessitate specialized underwriting and risk mitigation strategies.

By partnering with an experienced high-net-worth insurance advisor, clients can secure comprehensive, customized coverage that adapts to an increasingly complex risk environment.

Would you like further insights into any of these topics or assistance in reviewing your current coverage? Reach out to our office to discuss!

Interested in learning more? Check out our Insights page for other relevant education topics.

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Community

Simpson | McCrady Employees Volunteer at Junior Achievement (JA) BizTown

This past Friday, a group of Simpson | McCrady employees volunteered at Junior Achievement (JA) BizTown, an innovative educational program designed to immerse middle school students in a hands-on experience of how a community functions. BizTown gives students the chance to step into real-world roles, offering them a glimpse into professions like accounting, teamwork, entrepreneurship, and more.

News2025
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This past Friday, a group of Simpson | McCrady employees volunteered at Junior Achievement (JA) BizTown, an innovative educational program designed to immerse middle school students in a hands-on experience of how a community functions. BizTown gives students the chance to step into real-world roles, offering them a glimpse into professions like accounting, teamwork, entrepreneurship, and more.

At BizTown, the students take on various roles within a simulated town, complete with a bank, grocery store, town hall, doctor’s office, and many other businesses—each one managed and operated by the students themselves. The program helps them understand not only the roles of employees but also how a town’s economy operates. Students are given two paychecks and a business loan and are tasked with making important financial decisions that impact both their personal lives and the success of their businesses.

Throughout their time, students must decide how to spend their paychecks within the community, making choices between essentials like food (including candy!), household expenses, and even charitable donations. This experience taught them valuable lessons in budgeting, saving, and the consequences of financial decisions.

The event was not only an incredible learning experience for the students but also for the Simpson | McCrady volunteers. It was a fulfilling day for all involved and we thank Junior Achievement for running such a fantastic program.

Ten volunteers in Simpson & McCrady gear taking a group photo at the Junior Achievement BizTown event

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Community

Volunteers at the Humane Animal Rescue

On January 17th and 24th, the Simpson McCrady employees volunteered at the Humane Animal Rescue shelter on the North Side.

News2025
volunteers-at-the-humane-animal-rescue

On January 17th and 24th, the Simpson McCrady employees volunteered at the Humane Animal Rescue shelter on the North Side. We prepared peanut butter-filled Kongs for the dogs, a nice doggy treat that also, keeps them mentally stimulated, packed cat food into bags for those in need, and organized the supply room to ensure everything is ready for the animals in their care. We also toured the impressive facility and we’re incredibly grateful to the shelter staff and volunteers, for they have such a meaningful impact to these awesome animals! It was a rewarding volunteer experience.

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Commercial

Hurricane Season In Full Swing: How To Prepare

With Hurricane Milton on its way and set to be the second major storm to strike the region in two weeks, we want to let you know that we’re monitoring the path.

Insights2024
hurricane-season-in-full-swing-how-to-prepare

With Hurricane Milton on its way and set to be the second major storm to strike the region in two weeks, we want to let you know that we’re monitoring the path. Here are helpful tips to help prepare before it makes landfall:

We encourage you to track the storm’s latest location and keep up to date by following The Weather Channel.

In addition, below is a reminder of some basic precautionary measures you and your family can take:

  • Make sure your mobile devices (phone, iPad, hot spot, etc.) and backup battery packs are fully charged. Make sure that you grab the charging cables as well if you are evacuating in preparation.
  • Know your evacuation route. Cities at risk of a hurricane have emergency evacuation plans that take members of the community to the safest inland town. Ensure you and your family members know how to get to the appropriate route and take note of alternate routes that may be available if storm debris prevents you from getting to the evacuation highway safely.
  • Protect your home from wind and debris. Move all plants, outdoor furniture, and any other free-standing items indoors to a garage or basement.
  • Move vehicles to higher ground. If you need to evacuate, move left-behind vehicles to higher ground or a parking garage if you have access, not under trees or power lines.
  • Gather important documents in one place. Store important documents, such as legal papers, birth certificates, marriage licenses, financial papers, and insurance policy information, in a waterproof, portable safe that is easy to transport in an evacuation.
  • Refill your prescriptions. You can refill prescription medications in advance for at least a 30-day supply if you live in a county under a hurricane warning by the NWS, under a State of Emergency issued by the Governor, or one with an activated emergency operations center.
  • Don’t forget tornadoes. Tornadoes can be a hurricane threat, especially if you live inland. Read over what to do in a tornado to prepare for the fast-forming and unpredictable storms.

We hope this overview proves helpful–and that you and your family remain safe and sound amid the storm. But if you do you need help with a claim or have any questions after the storm hits, do not hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help.

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Firm News

Gardening with Michelle

Simpson | McCrady is grateful for all the volunteers who helped make our second annual Gardening with Michelle at Phipps a beautiful day. Michelle will always be a part of our Simpson | McCrady family.

News2024
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Simpson | McCrady is grateful for all the volunteers who helped make our second annual Gardening with Michelle at Phipps a beautiful day. Michelle will always be a part of our Simpson | McCrady family.  Her birthday is right around this time, so we pay tribute to her wearing her favorite color, pink, while gardening, which was one of her favorite activities.  We walked into Phipps under somber skies, and as we gardened, the clouds parted, and the sun came out with warm memories of Michelle.

Thank you again for your effort in lending a hand and making it a great day.

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Private Client

Navigating the High-Net-Worth Landscape in 2024: A Comprehensive Approach to Personal Insurance and Risk Management in a Dynamic Environment

Last year posed many challenges in our market and many of those factors continue to flow into 2024. While there are signs of light at the end of the tunnel for this hard market, we still see challenges ahead before we make our way out.

Insights2024
high-net-worth-landscape

Last year posed many challenges in our market and many of those factors continue to flow into 2024. While there are signs of light at the end of the tunnel for this hard market, we still see challenges ahead before we make our way out.

This review outlines what we’re seeing in our market space, so you have a more comprehensive understanding of each trend. We’ll also equip you with actionable steps to take to optimize your insurance programs and mitigate potential risks. We will make sure to cover the following market impact topics:

• Social inflation and nuclear jury verdicts

• Climate change and catastrophic weather events across the US and the rise in reinsurance costs

• Non-weather water-related plumbing losses

• The increasing cost of labor and building materials and continued supply chain issues

• A shift in how our clients are spending their money including increased investments in home renovations and additions and diversifying collectible assets such as jewelry, fine art, collectibles, and wine and spirits

• Check washing and what to do about it.

Out of all of this, it is important to highlight the growing value of comprehensive risk management strategies for high-net-worth individuals. With increasing wealth comes a greater need for protection against potential risks and liabilities. We are here to offer professional advice to identify and mitigate potential risks and offer tailored insurance policies to address these concerns.

Exposure: Nuclear Jury Verdicts

In a recent wealth report conducted by Chubb, 92% of those surveyed are concerned about the size of a verdict against them if they were a defendant in a liability case which can have profound implications for high-net-worth individuals yet only 36% have umbrella or excess liability coverage. Tailoring liability coverage to address potential legal ramifications is crucial in mitigating this risk.

What to do:

An excess liability or umbrella policy limit is meant to adjust as your lifestyle changes. Liability limits should be reviewed frequently to make sure that an adequate limit is in place. This is a crucial risk transfer tool that can help to protect your net worth and future earnings. The cost is generally nominal for what you get in return. Given the increase in nuclear jury verdicts, now is the time to review.
If you serve on any not-for-profit boards or host events at your property, let’s discuss to make sure proper insurance is in place and we can discuss best risk management practices in these scenarios.

image of high net worth individuals talking to a judge in a courtroom

Exposure: Climate Change and the Rise of Reinsurance Costs

High-net-worth individuals are not immune to the increasing frequency and severity of catastrophic weather events. From wildfires to severe weather, these events pose a significant threat to property and assets. Understanding regional risks and tailoring insurance coverage accordingly is vital. It’s not just about hurricanes along the coast or wildfires in California. Tornadoes are touching down in areas that they historically have not, where it rains, it can flood, and wildfires are happening across the country.

These catastrophic events are impacting the reinsurance market causing higher premiums which, in turn, impact the need for rate for the insurers.

2023-billion-dollar-disaster-map

What to do:

Make sure you’re leveraging the rest of your personal insurance policies with one carrier to see if you can obtain more advantageous terms and take proactive measures to make your homes more resilient:

For wildfire:

Have an annual contract with landscapers and arborists to make sure that trees are trimmed back from your home and that your property is well groomed from dry native brush. Keep combustible materials away from the structures. For those in extreme high brush areas, there are many additional proactive measures that we can address so please give us a call to have a more in-depth discussion.

image of the start of a wildfire

For hurricane prone areas:

If you don’t have hurricane shutters or hurricane impact rated windows, doors, and garage doors, consider these updates as they can make your home more hurricane resilient but also provide credits on your home policy with wind coverage or open additional coverage opportunities. If it’s time for a roof replacement, talk to your advisor and contractor about what it would take to bring the roof up to code and what new features are available.

If you have a lender on your home and you have homes elsewhere in lesser catastrophic prone areas, discuss what your lending options are. If it fits within your financial plan, paying off the loan on your coastal property can have its advantages if it makes sense to self-insure the wind and/or flood exposures. These should be discussed in detail as not having coverage for these exposures should there be a hurricane and significant damage to your property could result in significant out of pocket expenses but can provide premium savings on your insurance portfolio.

image of a hurricane taking place by the ocean, with palm trees being aggressively blown by the wind

Severe convective storms:

These are happening across the country and causing wind and water damage. Flooding can happen anywhere, and you do not need to be in a high flood zone to experience severe water damage to your home. If construction and/or developments have been built around your home recently or there is a lot of concrete near your home, water can accumulate quickly with nowhere to go.

What to do:

Review your flood insurance options. This is not automatically covered by your homeowners policy. It can either be added as an endorsement or written as a separate policy.

image of water flooding a street full of high net worth houses & buildings

Exposure: Non-Weather Water-Related Home Losses

Water damage from non-weather-related incidents, such as a leaking pipe, a frozen burst pipe or appliance malfunctions, has become a prevalent trend for homeowners, including high-net-worth individuals. This type of water damage ranks as the second most prevalent cause of insurance claims. These incidents can result in substantial financial losses pushing clients out of their homes for extended periods of time while repairs and renovations are completed.

What to do:

We strongly recommend installation of a water leak detection shutoff device. This device is installed at the main plumbing valve in your home and/or guest house and monitors the flow of water coming into the building. If it notices an abnormal flow of water that would suggest a slow leak or a burst pipe, it shuts off the main plumbing supply line and sends an alert to your phone so you can locate the cause of the issue and alert a plumber that a repair or review is needed. By shutting off the water, it can give you peace of mind while you are on vacation or out for dinner and prevent severe water damage where you would have to move out of your home while repairs are being made. Unplanned renovations can seem like a whole other full-time job and can be very disruptive to your regular day-to-day and preventing this is priceless.

If you think you have a loss, please call us so we can discuss it. Accidents happen and we can help to expedite the claims handling process if it needs to be turned in and talk to you about next steps on immediate action items and what vendors to consider if you’re unsure who to call first.

a pipe bursting in a high net worth home

Exposure: Underinsurance Caused by Inflation, Cost of Labor, and Supply Chain Issues for Building Materials

Inflation, coupled with escalating costs of labor and building materials, directly impacts property replacement values and can leave clients underinsured, in some cases, in the cost of repairs if a claim occurs, and the time needed to make those repairs. In addition, a home under construction faces increased risks that should be addressed including increased liability exposures with more foot traffic on your property and a higher likelihood of loss while contractors are updating plumbing or using flammable materials.

What to do:

If you are thinking about or recently completed renovations or an addition to your home, it is important to ensure your coverage adequately reflects the current replacement cost to avoid underinsurance. Open communication with your advisor can aid in maintaining accurate coverage. Talking with your advisor about renovations before they happen can also better prepare you for the increase in exposures and ensure that you’re fully covered while the work is being completed. Insurance contracts have varying language addressing undisclosed renovations and how that may impact a payout should there be a loss.

If you’re seeing an increase in premium from increased coverage limits and rate increases, consider higher deductibles if you have a higher tolerance for self-insurance on the smaller losses. Let the insurance policies help to protect you from more severe, large losses that could be a financial burden.

image of a high net worth home undergoing construction

Exposure: Diversification of collectible assets without updates to valuable article policies

We are seeing a shift in how our clients, including those with a high net worth, are spending their money and we are seeing many diversifying their collectible assets such as jewelry, fine art, collectibles, and wine and spirits. All homeowner policies have a cap and limitation on higher valued items such as jewelry, firearms, and other valuable articles and they are also subject to the homeowners deductible.

What to do:

If you’ve made sales and/or purchases, please discuss with your advisor to make sure your policy is up to date. Adding or adjusting a valuable articles policy to your specific needs is a relatively quick adjustment and can be done at any time during the policy period on a prorated basis.

Make sure your appraisals are up to date. If your jewelry, fine art, or other collectibles haven’t been reviewed in the last five years, it may be overdue. If increased values are warranted, we can send the appraisals over to the company to increase.

jewelry worn by a high net worth individual

Exposure: Check washing

We are seeing an increased number of check washing incidents. What do we mean by check washing? It’s when a thief steals your written check from the mail, washes the payee and, also, possibly, the dollar amount on the completed check and changes it to be written out to someone else aside from who it was intended for. You find out because you checked your bank account and find that it was deposited but went to the wrong person.

What to do:

Here are a few tips on how to avoid this:

• Pay your bills online.

• Check washing and what we need to do about it.

• Don’t leave mail in your mailbox; drop it off directly at the post office or place it in your mailbox right before your mail person comes.

• Use a blue or black non-erasable gel pen as these may have ink that makes it harder for the thief to wash out and replace.

• Check your bank account frequently for suspicious or fraudulent withdrawals.

• Contact your bank immediately.

 

Summary:

All of these exposures have impacted the insurance industry by constricting capacity, causing rate inadequacy for the insurance carriers and stricter guidelines on when, where, and how they are offering terms. As a high-net-worth individual, It is paramount now more than ever to have a knowledgeable advisor helping you navigate through all of this and to adjust where necessary. If you have questions on any of these and want to talk about anything in more detail, let’s chat! We love hearing from our clients and can make necessary adjustments, where needed.

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