GIS & InsurancePractical Applications of

PLRB Map within the

Insurance Claims Process

Peter Balingit

Meteorologist, GISP

Director – PLRB Catastrophe Services

3

What is GIS?

• Data is linked to a map

layer

• Layers linked together by

geography

• Visual presentation of

database information

Source: National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC),

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),

USA

GIS that you already know

Google Earth

Microsoft MapPoint

Google Maps

Yahoo Maps

Road Atlases

National Park Maps

Tornado Damage Path

63 Policies

If you don't know where your policies are located, you cannot accurately assess your exposure!

ZIP Code 35405

327 Total Policies

Tornado Damage

GIS Data – PLRB

Since late 1998 Catastrophe Services has provided GIS data to Member companies.

ESRI’s ArcGIS and Mapinfo Professional are the two most popular off the shelf GIS applications. PLRB provides data in both formats.

Perils are geocoded using latitude/longitude and can be imported into GIS software.

This online mapping application provides member company researchers with a tool to search our historical database for severe event information by address.

Adjusters can enter an address or upload their policyholders and pinpoint the locations on a map, identifying the geospatial location in relationship to forecast and reported events.

Cat Managers can make strategic decisions days in advance, using forecast data.

GIS Data – PLRB Map

Examples of GIS data available:

• Tropical storm / hurricane wind field forecasts

• Severe weather forecast outlooks and active weather

watches / warnings

• Daily severe weather reports

• GeoMAC fire perimeters

• Earthquakes and shaking intensity

• Lightning probability

• NEXRAD hail size and wind speed estimates

• Special events (riots, fires, hazmat incidents)

• Post event imagery

GIS Data – PLRB Map

GIS in Action:

Tracking Storms in

Real-TimeSevere Weather Outbreak

June 3, 2013

Severe Weather Forecast - 6/3/14

Severe Weather Forecast with Policies - 6/3/14

Current Radar - 6/3/14

Current Radar with Policies - 6/3/14

Active Weather Watches / Warnings 6/3/14

Active Weather Watches / Warnings 6/3/14

Near Real-time Peril Reports - 6/3/14

Helpful Mobile Apps for

Real-Time Storm Tracking:

GIS in Action:

Claim Verificaiton

using PLRB Map

Lightning Probability Maps are developed by the NWS,

Meteorological Development Lab.

Forecasts the probability of one or more cloud to ground

lightning strikes during the two hour forecast period.

Claims departments can quickly see if a high probability of

lightning existed in the area of the claimant.

Historical Database – Lightning Probability

Historical Database – Lightning Probability

PLRB Map – Lightning Probability

NWS Damage Assessments

Wildfire Perimeters / Evacuation Information

River Stream Gauge Data

River Stream Gauge Data

River Stream Gauge Data

River Stream Gauge Data

Snowfall Forecast – 72 hours

Precipitation Forecast – Six hours

Weather Observations

Event Based Satellite Imagery

Event Based Satellite Imagery

Event Based Satellite Imagery

Event Based Satellite Imagery

Earthquake: Magnitude and Shakemap Intensity

Earthquake: Magnitude and Shakemap Intensity

Wind Peril and Estimate Data

Wind Peril and Estimate Data

Buoy Data

Integrating PLRB

Catastrophe Data

into your Workflows

Infrastructure

PLRB Map – uses Esri ArcServer platform

• Supports OGC web mapping specifications

Secured communication over “Https”

• ID and Password needed to access services

Communicate directly with the GIS server to consume

data for use outside the PLRB Map

Requires you to build a separate application

Application Options

Esri supports a number of web development languages

to code your own maps

• JavaScript, Flex, Silverlight, etc

• “Viewer” Applications for Flex and Silverlight are available to

speed up the development process

ArcExplorer – Free desktop or web application

KML/Google Maps

Other “Open Source” GIS options available

Map display or tabular data output?

Hail Storm, Jackson, MS – 3/18/13

GIS in Action:

Analyzing Post Disaster Imagery

Hurricane Sandy, NJ – 10/30/12

GIS in Action:

Analyzing Post

Disaster Imagery

Querying the Data

PLRB Datasets:

• Perils

• Hail Probability

• Lightning Probability

• Wind Gust Estimates

• Observations

• Earthquake Shaking Intensity (Shakemap)

Send date of loss and peril and import matching records

Benefits of Integrating

Enable analyses while keeping your sensitive claims and

policy data behind your firewall

Streamline workflow by automating searches

Users only need to use one system

Run your own proprietary analyses using desktop

mapping applications

PLRB Map Mobile:

GPS address or search by address

PLRB Map Mobile:

Peril History results

PLRB Map Mobile:

Peril details

PLRB Map Mobile:

Pre-event satellite View

PLRB Map Mobile:

Send e-mail link

PLRB Map Mobile:

Open emailed link on desktop, in PLRB Map

@plrb_cats

Peter Balingit

Meteorologist, GISP

Director – PLRB Catastrophe Services

pbalingit@plrb.org