I remember watching news coverage of the 2023 Nova Scotia floods—entire streets underwater, homes destroyed and families left with nothing. The scale of devastation was overwhelming, but what stuck with me most was how unprepared many insurers were for the surge in claims.
It happens every year in Canada. Wildfires in B.C., hurricanes in the Atlantic, ice storms in Ontario—disasters don’t wait for paperwork. When catastrophe hits, the industry scrambles for adjusters and the harsh reality is: there aren’t enough to go around.
Capacity is limited—and that’s a problem
In 2023 alone, Canada saw $3.1 billion in insured damages from natural disasters. This year, early forecasts warn of another dangerous wildfire season in Western Canada, and hurricane season is expected to be above average. Insurers know these events are coming—but not everyone is ready.
When claims volume spikes overnight, insurers who haven’t secured capacity in advance are left with backlogs, frustrated policyholders and reputational damage they can’t afford.
I’ve seen firsthand how chaotic it gets. The companies that planned ahead? Their teams were on the ground immediately, assessing damage and processing claims. The ones who didn’t? They were stuck scrambling, making desperate calls for adjusters who were already booked.
The harsh reality: If you don’t have a plan, you’re already behind
By the time a catastrophe hits, it’s too late to secure the help you need. Adjusters are already assigned. The best teams are deployed. You either have the resources in place—or you don’t.
So, ask yourself: When the next disaster hits, will you be the insurer leading recovery efforts or the one explaining delays?
Catastrophes aren’t a surprise anymore. The only question is: Are you ready?
