Sedgwick Report Highlights Climate and Infrastructure Pressures on Property Claims — Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc.

Event summary

Sedgwick's 2026 Loss Adjusting Insights Report identifies eight key trends reshaping property claims, including climate volatility and AI adoption.
The U.S. experienced 23 weather disasters exceeding $1 billion in damages in 2025, with severe convective storms generating over $50 billion in insured losses for the third consecutive year.
Average time between billion-dollar U.S. weather disasters fell to just 10 days in 2025, exacerbating workforce constraints in the construction industry.
Large-scale commercial projects now carry insurable construction values between $10 billion and $30 billion, with lead times for specialized equipment more than doubling in the past five years.

The big picture

Sedgwick's report underscores the growing interplay between climate volatility and expanding infrastructure, creating unprecedented challenges for property claims management. The convergence of these factors is pushing insurers to adopt more sophisticated technologies and strategies to manage risks and maintain operational efficiency. With the construction industry facing significant workforce shortages, the ability to navigate these pressures will be critical for carriers and claims professionals.

What we're watching

Climate Impact: How the increasing frequency and severity of weather disasters will strain insurers' operational capacity and financial reserves.
Infrastructure Pressures: Whether the construction industry can meet demand for additional workers and specialized equipment to support large-scale projects.
Technology Adoption: The pace at which AI and other technologies will be integrated to manage the complexities of property claims in a rapidly changing risk landscape.