Extreme Event Risk

Inland Flood Models

Our state-of-the-art models account for the unique circumstances that contribute to flood risk, giving you a highly detailed, probabilistic approach for underwriting and managing this complex risk.

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Rising risks and consequences for inland floods

Floods are the most frequent and costly natural disaster in many parts of the world, and the risk is increasing with climate change and continued development in vulnerable areas. Furthermore, many areas are experiencing a substantial protection gap for flood coverage.

Realistically capture inland flood risk

Understand how flood events evolve over time, gauge the vulnerability of your exposures, evaluate off-floodplain risk, recognise the chance of flood defense failure, and expand your profit potential.

High-resolution flood risk models

Leverage comprehensive tools to assess and manage inland, coastal, and storm surge flood risk in the US, UK, Europe, and Japan.

Flood hazard maps

See the extent and depth of potential riverine flooding at different return periods for Brazil, Canada, China, India, Thailand, and Vietnam.

A customised view of vulnerability

Estimate the vulnerability of buildings, their contents, and business interruption for all lines of business shared with the US hurricane model.

Historically, the insurance industry has struggled to develop new products for hazards such as flood. That has changed with the introduction of Verisk’s innovative new flood model for the US. Now there’s a credible probabilistic model in the market that enables us to thoughtfully and competitively price a flood insurance product in the private market.

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Features and capabilities

Physical models for pluvial and fluvial events

Physically based explicit, comprehensive modelling of fluvial (river) and pluvial (surface water) non-hurricane flooding provides a detailed, continuous location-level view of flood risk to assess hazard severity and potential damage.

Probabilistic modelling approach and 10K stochastic catalogue

This precipitation simulation approach combines a global circulation model (GCM) and a numerical weather prediction (NWP) model with advanced statistical downscaling for high-resolution, realistic, statistically robust rainfall patterns.

Unique data sets for validation

Our models are informed by detailed peril and loss experience data using multiple robust data sets from Verisk products, government research studies and insurance industry research.

Expanded coverage for more lines of business

More than 80 construction classes and 111 occupancy classes, including large industrial facilities, are covered by the models, as well as infrastructure, marine lines, and personal/commercial autos.

Cold region hydrology

Our state-of-the-science cold region hydrological modelling approach accurately quantifies flood caused by snow melt, excess runoff, and ice jams in Canada.

High-resolution LiDAR data

Data collected through Light Detection and Ranging methods offers a higher elevation accuracy, enabling enhanced differentiation of proximate locations.

Related resources

Stay in the know about important industry trends and innovative solutions.

Documentation

Extreme Event Solutions Client Portal

Access client-confidential downloads, training, and documentation for Verisk's extreme event solutions model, software, and service offerings.

Podcast

Potential Impacts of Climate Change on U.S. Inland Flood Risk by Mid Century

As climate change continues, the increasing frequency and intensity of flooding is a growing concern. Dr. Peter Sousounis, director of climate change research at Verisk, examines the issue in this interview.

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About Catastrophe Modeling

In the case of rare but severe events, historical loss information is often unreliable in assessing future loss potential – that's where catastrophe modeling comes in.

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