Climate Risk Search Engine

Instructions 2

Climate Risk Survey Guidance
For Reporting Year 2017

Discussion

This document offers guidance to insurers responding to the annual mandatory Insurer Climate Risk Disclosure Survey (hereafter referred to as the “Survey”). Those questions contained in this guidance document which are not part of the official set of Survey questions are intended only to guide respondents as they craft their responses to the Survey and are not compulsory.

Guidance Notes

Survey Application and Instructions

i. Response Submissions

Mandatory disclosure will depend on the premium amounts reported for the most immediate prior financial reporting year. If an insurer reports over $100,000,000 for 2017, it must complete the survey and submit it on or before August 31, 2018. However, if an insurer reports less than that, it will not be required to complete and file the survey, but it may do so voluntarily.

ii. Quantitative and Forward-Looking Information

Insurers are not required to submit quantitative information but may do so without implying materiality. Insurers are encouraged to provide quantitative information where it offers additional clarity on trends in the intensity or attenuation of natural hazards, insured losses, investment portfolio composition, policyholder risk reduction or improvements in computer modeling. As climate science improves (i.e., when there is greater agreement between observed data and models or when there is integration of catastrophe and climate models), insurers should be able to provide quantitative information with less uncertainty.

Insurers are encouraged but not required to provide forward-looking information that will indicate the risks and opportunities insurers may face in the future; when provided, insurers may disclaim any responsibility for the accuracy of such forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is assumed to have some degree of uncertainty; if provided, insurers should offer explanation on the degree and sources of uncertainty as well as assumptions employed.

iii. Response Required

Insurers in all segments of the industry are required to respond to all eight questions. An insurer may state that a question is not relevant to its business practice, operations or investments. However, if it does so, it must also explain why the question is not relevant.

To contact Climate Risk Administration, please email climaterisksurvey@insurance.ca.gov