FEATURE
KANSAS SEVERE STORM EVENTS
“ these types of events continue to usher in underwriting practices prioritizing property conditions over age."
SEVERE HIGH WIND IS THE DRIVING FORCE
Convective-related storms, including wind and hail, continue to drive insured property losses in Kansas and guide underwriting behaviors, including increased use of aerial imagery, greater emphasis on maintenance and property conditions, and reliance on risk concentration models. Last year, the number of severe high-wind events were at historic highs in Kansas and the across the United States. These types of events continue to usher in underwriting practices prioritizing property conditions over age when evaluating insurability and focusing more on issues like wear and tear, signs of deferred maintenance, and tree overhang.
As in recent years, agents will continue to be on the frontlines explaining changes in carrier underwriting risk and rating models along with insurability expectations for homeowners. While the market may be softening a bit, severe storm events will likely drive continued focus around roof conditions and replacement planning, the importance of maintenance and documenting, more advanced territorial rating, and stricter eligibility.
More specifically, convective storm events present the opportunity for continued conversations with customers on the following key coverage considerations, including: insuring to value( including other structures), roof schedules and valuation changes; cosmetic damage exclusions,
MAY / JUNE 2026
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