Center for Risk and Insurance Research

08/20/2026

Following the deadly 2011 tornadoes that devastated communities across Alabama and Missouri, Lars Powell, Executive Director, and Boyi Zhuang, Associate Researcher, with the Center for Risk and Insurance Research, along with Charles Yang of Florida Atlantic University, examined how the resulting losses influenced insurance pricing.

The study finds that insurers experiencing greater losses subsequently raised premiums more than comparable insurers with fewer or no losses, providing insight into how past losses can influence future insurance pricing.

This study investigates the post-catastrophe pricing strategies of insurance companies, focusing on the aftermath of the 2011 tornadoes in Alabama and Missouri. We analyze the influence of substantia...

07/22/2026

07/15/2026

Today is National Pet Fire Safety Day. Pets aren't just animals; they’re part of the family.

Did you know?
• Approximately 500,000 pets are affected by home fires each year.
• An estimated 40,000 pets die in house fires annually.
• Nearly 1,000 home fires are accidentally started by pets each year.

Now is the perfect time to take a few minutes to help protect the four-legged members of your household. Simple steps today can make a big difference during an emergency.

• Include them in your family's emergency plan.
• Keep pets away from candles, fireplaces, cooking areas, and exposed electrical cords.
• Test your smoke alarms regularly.
• Keep leashes, carriers, and emergency supplies in an easy-to-reach location.
• Place a pet alert window decal on your home so first responders know pets may be inside.

Preparedness isn't just about protecting your home, it's about protecting everyone who calls it home.

Learn more about pet fire safety: https://www.akcpetinsurance.com/blog/national-pet-fire-safety-day-tips

07/08/2026

One year later, the Texas Hill Country Flood remains difficult to comprehend. The lives lost and the families forever changed are a heartbreaking reminder of why preparedness and resilience matter.

In the latest episode of the GeoTrek podcast, Dr. Laura Myers, Senior Research Specialist and Resilience Director for the Center for Risk and Insurance Research at The University of Alabama, shares research focused on helping communities better prepare for disasters before they happen.

Joined by University of South Florida master's student Nicholas Stanley, Dr. Myers discusses how improved hazard mapping, emergency planning, and more effective warning systems can better protect summer camps and the children, families, and staff who depend on them.

As we remember those affected by this tragedy, we also recognize the importance of learning from the past to help protect lives in the future.

Listen to the GeoTrek podcast: https://lnkd.in/gzvRyMVv

Or watch the conversation on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gNE5zQfE

06/17/2026

Safety extends beyond hard hats and hazard prevention. During National Safety Month, promoting holistic worker health is an important part of building resilience.

Physical health, mental well-being, stress management, and work-life balance all influence how people perform, respond to challenges, and support one another in the workplace. By fostering environments that prioritize overall well-being, organizations can strengthen safety outcomes while creating healthier, more resilient communities.

A safer future begins with supporting the people who make it possible.

06/09/2026

June is National Safety Month, and this week’s focus is staying safe on the roads.

Research conducted by Dr. Lars Powell, Executive Director of the Center for Risk and Insurance Research (CRIR), and Dr. Boyi Zhuang, Associate Researcher at CRIR, found that distracted drivers are approximately three times more likely to cause a fatal crash than focused drivers.

Their research also estimates that distracted drivers represent just 3–4% of drivers on the road at any given time, yet they create a disproportionate share of roadway risk.

Whether you're commuting to work, traveling for vacation, or simply running errands, remember that every distraction can have serious consequences. Put the phone down, stay focused, and help make our roads safer for everyone.

Read more about the research: https://crir.culverhouse.ua.edu/2022/05/24/how-risky-is-distracted-driving/

06/02/2026

At the Flood, Fire & Wind Conference in Dallas, TX, CRIR Director Lars Powell joined Andy Neal of Aon Reinsurance Solutions, Julie Shiyou-Woodard of Smart Home America, and Jonah Wagner of Zephyr Resilience for Risk to Resilience: Building and Retrofitting for Wind Performance.

The discussion highlighted Hurricane Sally research showing IBHS FORTIFIED® homes perform better in severe wind events and how insurers are using this data to inform underwriting, pricing, and resilience programs.

Thank you to our panelists and partners for an engaging conversation on strengthening residential resilience. We appreciate their continued commitment to advancing these efforts across research, industry expertise, and practical mitigation strategies.

Together, we can help create stronger homes and better outcomes for homeowners and communities.

06/02/2026

June 1 marks the official start of hurricane season. While NOAA is forecasting a below-normal Atlantic hurricane season, preparedness remains critical. It only takes one storm to have a significant impact on communities, homeowners, and insurers.

Recent research from The University of Alabama's Center for Risk and Insurance Research, commissioned by the Alabama Department of Insurance, highlights how investments in resilience can reduce storm-related losses. A study examining the performance of Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety - IBHS homes during Hurricane Sally found that homes built or retrofitted to standards experienced substantially fewer insurance claims and lower overall losses than conventionally constructed homes.

Key findings include:
✔️ Roof homes experienced 73% fewer insurance claims and 72% lower total losses.
✔️ Gold homes experienced 76% fewer insurance claims and 67% lower total losses.

The research reinforces an important lesson: resilience measures taken before a storm can make a meaningful difference in protecting homes, reducing losses, and strengthening communities.

Learn more about CRIR's Hurricane Sally research and other resilience-focused studies:https://aldoi.gov/PDF/News/PerformanceIBHSFortifiedHomeConstructionHurricaneSally.pdf

05/28/2026

🐾 In recognition of National Pet Month, it’s a good reminder that pets are part of the family and should be included in every emergency plan.

Explore these tips to help keep your furry companions safe and prepared during emergencies: https://bit.ly/3GK1PLu

05/19/2026

The Center for Risk and Insurance Research is excited to see Dr. Lars Powell featured as part of the Insurance for Good Research for Practice webinar series on Thursday, May 21.

Dr. Powell will discuss the benefits of loss reduction and findings related to housing and risk reduction on the Gulf Coast. Learn how much home hardening can save in avoided losses, lead to higher property values, and improve insurability. Also hear about Alabama’s nationally recognized policy approaches to creating safer homes that are better able to withstand hurricanes.

Don’t miss this important conversation on resilience and risk reduction. Register today! https://zoom.us/webinar/register/7217749754898/WN_sjkVWnPyT_GtJNCElwAiYQ #/registration