February 17, 2026

In the latest episode of the Sedgwick Podcast, host Kimberly George, Sedgwick’s Global Chief Brand Officer, sat down with Scott Richardson, President of Property of Americas, to explore how organizations can better prepare for the growing complexity and severity of catastrophe (CAT) events. This conversation is anchored in insights from Sedgwick’s 2026 Global Risk Study, which highlights shifting risk patterns, evolving organizational expectations, and the urgent need for stronger preparedness strategies across industries. Their discussion takes those findings a step further, bringing them to life through real experiences, practical guidance, and a forward-looking view of property and CAT response.

Below is a recap of their discussion.

Segment 1. Catastrophe Risk: The New Baseline in the U.S. (starts at 02:22)

Kimberly opens the conversation by highlighting findings from Sedgwick’s global risk study:

76% of U.S. organizations expect moderate to severe insurance and claims challenges from catastrophe risks within the next two years.
66% conduct catastrophe assessments annually or more often.

Scott shares that CAT planning is no longer centered solely on “traditional storm seasons.” Today, organizations must consider:

Weather volatility
Social unrest and vandalism
Employee impact and location-based exposure
Supply chain disruptions
Business continuity beyond physical structures

He emphasizes that both corporations and carriers are proactively mapping their risk exposure, identifying vulnerable regions, and establishing plans that account for operational, workforce, and logistical impacts — far beyond the old “brick‑and‑mortar only” mindset.

Segment 2. Property Claims Realities: Physical Barriers and the Complexity Behind Recovery (starts at 09:02)

In this segment, Kimberly and Scott discuss what really happens when a large‑scale event occurs.

Scott explains that structural damage often represents only part of the loss; in many cases, business interruption and supply chain disruption have the largest financial impact.
He notes that today’s lean manufacturing models and just‑in‑time inventory systems create added vulnerability.

To help organizations recover more quickly, Scott stresses the importance of:

Understanding operational workflows before a loss
Building clear continuity plans
Identifying critical suppliers and backup options
Leveraging modeling and forecasting tools to anticipate severity and impact

Technology plays a role, but keeping systems updated and anticipating resource scarcity during major CAT events are equally critical.

Segment 3. Scenario Planning & Resilience Strategies (starts at 12:54)

Kimberly asked how organizations should activate their CAT playbooks and what early warning signals matter most.

Scott recommends treating scenario planning as an annual (or more frequent) exercise, preferably outside peak disaster seasons. Leaders should evaluate:

Employee wellbeing and ability to remain operational
Infrastructure and supply chain dependencies
Vendor partnerships and resource capacity
Local population density, which affects both impact and recovery time

He also highlights the growing demand for temporary housing and relocation services, noting that companies increasingly plan ahead to keep employees close to worksites and support continuity.

Finally, Scott underscores a key point: strong vendor relationships, including with third‑party administrators, can make or break an organization’s ability to recover quickly.

Segment 4. Looking Ahead: Sedgwick’s 2026 Property Vision (starts at 15:50)

Kimberly closes by asking Scott about his priorities for 2026.

Scott shared that Sedgwick is in the midst of a significant transformation, integrating AI and advanced technology into property workflows to improve both cycle time and quality. While AI isn’t a “silver bullet,” the thoughtful, strategic application of automation will:

Streamline administrative tasks
Reduce redundancy
Accelerate claims resolution
Improve consistency and quality reviews
Help communities recover faster by speeding up the flow of funds and repairs

He also discusses Sedgwick’s combined property solutions — repair networks, relocation services, contents management, and more — which help deliver a simple, integrated experience for policyholders and carriers alike.

Watch the Full Conversation

This episode offers valuable insights for risk managers, carriers, and business leaders navigating a rapidly changing CAT landscape.

To hear the complete conversation between Kimberly and Scott:

Watch the full podcast video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1ezNYo8C5Y

Or download the episode: https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-mbvnh-1a43ff2

Tags: podcast