--- title: The Risks of Hazard Blog | Intermap | Insurance News description: Insurance News | A blog that shows the power of location-based solutions in the world of insurance underwriting & risk management. --- [Investors](https://www.intermap.com/investors-2018-0) |[ Partners](https://www.intermap.com/partners-2018-0) |  [WebStore](https://store.intermap.com/MapShop.aspx?GeoLocation=World) [![Intermap Technologies Inc.](https://www.intermap.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Intermap%20Logo%202019%20-%20White.png?width=1656&height=277&name=Intermap%20Logo%202019%20-%20White.png "Intermap Technologies Inc.")](http://intermap.com) # [The Risks of Hazard](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog) ## [Oh no! FIRM Updates Getting Cut](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/2017/03/oh-no-firm-updates-getting-cut) Posted by [Ivan Maddox](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/author/ivan-maddox) on Mar 28, 2017 8:41:45 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.intermap.com/hubfs/Blog/Community_Planning.jpg) ](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/2017/03/oh-no-firm-updates-getting-cut) Insurance Journal published [an article](http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2017/03/21/445125.htm) last week about how funding cuts to FEMA might eliminate updates to the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). A consumer group is concerned – but should they be? [Read More](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/2017/03/oh-no-firm-updates-getting-cut) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/2017/03/oh-no-firm-updates-getting-cut#comments-listing) Topics: [Insurance News](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/topic/insurance-news), [Agreement](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/topic/agreement) ## [Proper Flood Insurance is Coming](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/2017/03/proper-flood-insurance-is-coming-00) Posted by [Ivan Maddox](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/author/ivan-maddox) on Mar 14, 2017 8:00:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.intermap.com/hubfs/Blog/Ivan%27s%20Blog%20-%2003-15.jpg) ](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/2017/03/proper-flood-insurance-is-coming-00) The Risks of Hazard has, for a few years now, been advocating that the insurance industry needs to start closing the protection gap on US flood. To do that, it will be necessary for insurers to begin covering risks beyond the NFIP (not just replacing it). [Read More](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/2017/03/proper-flood-insurance-is-coming-00) 1 Comment [Click here to read/write comments](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/2017/03/proper-flood-insurance-is-coming-00#comments-listing) Topics: [Flood Insurance](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/topic/flood-insurance), [Insurance News](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/topic/insurance-news) ## [Innovation and Talent, or “Our Crappy Technology”](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/2017/02innovation-and-talent-or-our-crappy-technology) Posted by [Ivan Maddox](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/author/ivan-maddox) on Feb 14, 2017 7:44:53 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.intermap.com/hubfs/images/API-connects-the-world.jpg) ](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/2017/02innovation-and-talent-or-our-crappy-technology) There is a great long [piece](http://www.carriermanagement.com/news/2017/02/06/163839.htm) at Carrier Management on how two of the most pressing challenges on insurance are related. Those two challenges are the ubiquitous, dreaded legacy systems (i.e. old technology) and the lack of young talented people entering the industry. The following quote from Michael LaRocco, CEO of State Auto Insurance Companies, sums it up perfectly, and vividly:  *The reality of our crappy technology and our old legacy systems and the old way we do business is part of that problem. It’s not going to be attractive for someone to come to a company and work on a green screen. That’s not going to do it for them.*  When stated so well, it’s obvious. Insurance has historically struggled with technological innovation, and that struggle has made aging demographics a problem. The essay goes deeper into that crux, but really, these two sentences are all they needed to publish – it’s a proper money quote, and impossible to disagree with.  [Read More](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/2017/02innovation-and-talent-or-our-crappy-technology) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/2017/02innovation-and-talent-or-our-crappy-technology#comments-listing) Topics: [Innovation in Insurance](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/topic/innovation-in-insurance), [technologies](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/topic/technologies), [Insurance News](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/topic/insurance-news) ## [Underwriting Automation – Inevitable, and a Path to Success](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/underwriting-automation-inevitable-and-a-path-to-success) Posted by [Ivan Maddox](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/author/ivan-maddox) on Feb 8, 2017 8:00:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.intermap.com/hubfs/Blog/Community_Planning.jpg) ](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/underwriting-automation-inevitable-and-a-path-to-success) Two weeks ago, Insurance Thought Leadership published [a piece on innovation](http://insurancethoughtleadership.com/3-major-areas-of-opportunity/) by [Devie Mohan](http://insurancethoughtleadership.com/author/deviemohan/), and there’s a thread in there that deserves a bit of a deeper dive. The article is called Three Major Areas of Opportunity, and lists three ways that technology / innovation will impact insurance in the near future. Nothing controversial in the choices – they are the calling cards of “innovation” for insurance: 1. Underwriting automation 2. Connected devices (i.e. IoT) 3. Cyber Naturally, we’ll take a deeper look at the underwriting piece, with IoT and cyber stuff beyond the Risks of Hazard horizons. Ms. Mohan lists six benefits than underwriters can realize with the modernization of their systems, and it is hard to argue with any of them. Here are all six, with quotes from the article and comments: **1. Data** - Ms. Mohan states: “Automation in the insurance industry can make underwriting both more efficient and more precise”. - We here could not agree more: using underwriting analytics that increase automation is a sure way to reduce [underwriting leakage](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/2015/01/reduce-underwriting-leakage-with-better-data). [Read More](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/underwriting-automation-inevitable-and-a-path-to-success) 1 Comment [Click here to read/write comments](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/underwriting-automation-inevitable-and-a-path-to-success#comments-listing) Topics: [Insurance Underwriting](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/topic/insurance-underwriting), [Innovation in Insurance](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/topic/innovation-in-insurance), [Insurance News](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/topic/insurance-news) ## [Flood Insurance News: Welcome Neptune!](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/2016/12/flood-insurance-news-welcome-neptune) Posted by [Ivan Maddox](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/author/ivan-maddox) on Dec 1, 2016 7:50:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.intermap.com/hubfs/Blog/Neptune.png) ](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/2016/12/flood-insurance-news-welcome-neptune) A new kid is on the block underwriting private flood insurance in Florida today! Neptune Flood Insurance is an MGA combining a wealth of experience and some unique innovations to bring more options for property owners. Plus, it’s a great name for an MGA. [Read More](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/2016/12/flood-insurance-news-welcome-neptune) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/2016/12/flood-insurance-news-welcome-neptune#comments-listing) Topics: [Flood Insurance](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/topic/flood-insurance), [Private Flood](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/topic/private-flood), [Flood News](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/topic/flood-news), [Insurance News](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/topic/insurance-news) [All posts](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/all) ## [The Risks of Hazard Blog](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog)   [![rss-feed](https://www.intermap.com/hs-fs/hub/395294/file-2218415117-png/images/rss-feed.png?width=27&name=rss-feed.png)](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/rss.xml) Welcome to The Risks of Hazard, brought to you by Intermap Technologies®. From the latest industry news and trends, to insight from thought leaders around the globe, stay tuned for a variety of content aimed at helping you better understand the role of location-based intelligence in the world of insurance underwriting and risk assessment. To see how Intermap delivers analytics tailored to your underwriting, visit our [InsitePro](https://www.intermap.com/software/insitepro) page. ### Subscribe to the Risks of Hazard blog! ### Posts by Topic - [Flood Insurance (64)](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/topic/flood-insurance) - [Insurance Underwriting (62)](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/topic/insurance-underwriting) - [Flood Risk (43)](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/topic/flood-risk) - [Risk Management (42)](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/topic/risk-management) - [Insurance Protection Gap (32)](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/topic/insurance-protection-gap) - [Private Flood (29)](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/topic/private-flood) - [Flood Modeling (28)](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/topic/flood-modeling) - [Property Insurance (26)](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/topic/property-insurance) - [Natural Hazard Risk (25)](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/topic/natural-hazard-risk) - [Natural Catastrophe (24)](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/topic/natural-catastrophe) - [Floods (23)](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/topic/floods) - [InsitePro (21)](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/topic/insitepro) - [Risk Scoring (17)](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/topic/risk-scoring) - [Wildfire (17)](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/topic/wildfire) - [Insurance Software (16)](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/topic/insurance-software) - [Insurance Technology (16)](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/topic/insurance-technology) - [Effective Underwriting (15)](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/topic/effective-underwriting) - [Earthquake (12)](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/topic/earthquake) - [Other Risk Models (11)](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/topic/other-risk-models) - [NFIP (10)](https://www.intermap.com/risks-of-hazard-blog/topic/nfip) ©2026 Intermap Technologies®. 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