Calm before the surge: Preparing for the 2026 hurricane season

The 2025 hurricane season has officially ended — and it was anything but ordinary.

While the Atlantic region had fewer storms, it saw more intensity. A record 80% of storms reached Category 3 or higher, and in October, Hurricane Melissa became the strongest-ever hurricane to make landfall in the basin.

Meanwhile, the season proved to be much tamer in the U.S. For the first time in a decade, no hurricanes made landfall. In fact, the last major surge event carriers saw was Hurricane Ian in 2022, making for a relatively quiet past few years. While Milton and Helene were substantial events, combined they were roughly half of Ian’s financial impact.

When it comes to weather catastrophes, one thing is certain: Slow periods never last long. And for carriers, counting on the calm to last can leave them unprepared when the next surge event inevitably hits.

How the hurricane lull is impacting carriers

Though this quiet period has been a relief for our communities, it’s posing some challenges for the insurance industry. While large carriers are feeling the squeeze with lower claim volumes, independent adjusting firms and one-person operations are especially struggling to survive.

This lull also comes at a unique time when digitization and AI are transforming the industry. These tools are streamlining processes and improving efficiency, but with fewer catastrophe claims to handle, adjusters now have limited opportunities to learn how to use them effectively.

Even more importantly, fewer claims also mean younger adjusters now have fewer chances to go out into the field, connect with policyholders face-to-face and get experience handling complex losses through training and mentorship programs.

If that’s not tough enough, the industry is already grappling with a “silver tsunami” of skilled adjusters who are rapidly retiring. This brain drain, combined with many adjusters now leaving the industry for more consistent work, means carriers could face a readiness gap when the next surge event hits.

The risk of carriers being unprepared

It’s easy for carriers to fall into the mindset of “slow now, slow later.” However, history reminds us that hurricane lulls never last long. Quiet years like 1993 and 2015 were followed by major surge events: Tropical Storm Alberto and Hurricane Matthew.

The odds of a major U.S. hurricane in 2026 are high, so carriers must start preparing now to avoid being caught flat-footed. When plans aren’t in place, carriers are forced to scramble for resources when disaster strikes — leading to delayed claims, frustrated policyholders and reputational damage that lasts long after the storm passes.

How Sedgwick stays ready year-round

At Sedgwick, we use quiet periods as an opportunity to prepare for the next event. Here are a few ways we stay prepared to help carriers and their policyholders throughout the year:

• Talent engagement: Readiness starts with having the right people in place.We actively recruit, reengage and retain skilled adjusters during slow periods so carriers can always count on us when demand spikes. 

• Continuous training: When things are slow, we keep our team sharp with ongoing education through Vale Training on evolving regulations, emerging technologies and complex loss scenarios. This ensures that when a surge event happens, our adjusters are ready to handle claims with confidence.

• Scenario planning: Beyond hurricanes, we also spend time preparing for other catastrophes like freezes and earthquakes. We model our responses to these events and create tailored plans for each carrier so we can quickly mobilize when the unexpected happens.

For us, slow seasons aren’t downtime — they’re a chance to strengthen our systems, refine our processes and ensure that we’re ready to support carriers and policyholders when they need it most.

How carriers can prepare for the next hurricane

With the 2026 hurricane season predicted to be busier than usual, carriers must start planning their response strategies now. Here’s how carriers can turn this quiet time into a competitive advantage:

• Review and refresh surge plans: Take a look at your current catastrophe response plan. Do you have the right staff and technology in place for a high-volume event? If not, now’s the time to start closing those gaps with the right resources.

• Establish partnerships early: The best time to secure resources for a storm is before it’s even on the radar. Build relationships with trusted partners like Sedgwick ahead of hurricane season to ensure you have access to adjusters when a disaster strikes.

• Streamline your response plan: Consider integrating Sedgwick serviceslike repair solutions and temporary housing into your catastrophe response plan. Having a partner who can handle all aspects of recovery speeds up cycle times, reduces claim costs and improves your policyholders’ experience.

• Strengthen communication channels: Recovering from a hurricane — or any weather catastrophe — can be stressful for policyholders. At Sedgwick, we can set up dedicated phone lines to help your policyholders navigate the claims process.

While carriers can’t control the weather, they can control how well they respond to unpredictable events. Don’t be caught unprepared when the unexpected hits; use slow periods to strengthen response plans, build resilience and ensure you’re ready for the next surge.

As we head into 2026, our experts are here to drive the best possible outcomes for your program and policyholders — no matter what Mother Nature throws our way.

Learn more about our catastrophe response solutions and how Sedgwick can help you navigate the next surge.