Introducing Jumpstart: A New Hassle-Free Approach to Natural Disaster Recovery
Jumpstart is an innovative type of natural disaster insurance in California — initially for earthquakes.
Using its technology, Jumpstart is the first parametric InsurTech company in the U.S. for earthquakes and aims to provide a broad base of customers with affordable, hassle-free coverage to help families and individuals bounce back after an earthquake of a pre-specified intensity, with fast payment initiated by text message.
Even though the US Geological Survey reports a 99% chance of a magnitude 6.7+ earthquake somewhere in California within the next 30 years, only about 11 percent of California households in 2016 purchased earthquake insurance, which is not required by residential mortgage lenders. As a result, only a fraction of needed rebuild funds are likely to flow into post-quake California.
Jumpstart intends to upend this status quo by appealing to significantly more people than those who currently buy earthquake coverage. To do so, Jumpstart has created an unorthodox product that keeps what people love about insurance — receiving money when it’s needed — while eliminating what people hate — high costs and complicated claims processes.
Here’s how Jumpstart works:
- Earthquake Insurance: Customers can sign-up online through Jumpstart’s website. At the time of launch, insurance policies will be underwritten and administered by AmWINS Group, Inc. and the insurer will be The Channel Syndicate 2015 at Lloyd’s (of London) — a non-U.S. surplus lines insurer qualified to accept insurance placements from California surplus line brokers for California insureds.
- Fast, Simple Payments: After an earthquake of a pre-specified intensity as measured by the United States Geological Survey, Jumpstart will automatically reach out to each customer in the impacted region via text message. Once a customer responds to confirm some loss or damage, the pre-defined payment amount will be automatically authorized for direct deposit into the customer’s bank account, eliminating a complicated claims process.
- No Hassle: The insurance payments can be used for anything that will help customers bounce back quickly. In a disruptive earthquake, everyone experiences unanticipated expenses, regardless of the presence or extent of physical damage. Payments will provide a financial jumpstart to begin the process of recovery.
- Financial Inclusion: Considering that 62% of Americans have less than $1,000 of savings, millions of Californians may not have the means to begin rebuilding their lives after a disruptive earthquake. At a price of approximately one-tenth that of conventional earthquake insurance, but for a very different product, Jumpstart dramatically increases access to a financial cushion.
“As a structural engineer, disaster resilience is my life’s work, but after Hurricane Katrina, I realized that resilience means more than safe buildings,” said Kate Stillwell, founder and CEO of Jumpstart. “When a big quake strikes my hometown of Oakland, millions of families will be devastated financially — even more so than physically. Our immediate needs might be things we can’t anticipate — childcare expenses, or a place to stay for a month. Surprise costs can throw a wrench in not only your daily routine, but also your long-term financial sustainability. Just-enough money, at just the right time, allows each of us to stay in our communities and be part of the solution.”
Policies like Jumpstart’s are known as “parametric,” since payments are linked to the occurrence of a pre-specified event or data measurement, i.e. “parameter.”
Says Will Thorne, Innovation Leader at the Channel Syndicate, “Jumpstart’s proposition offers something new to consumers who will likely need financial help after a potentially life-changing earthquake event. We are delighted to be working with Jumpstart and AmWINS to facilitate the delivery of Jumpstart’s innovative product in California.”
“The current protection gap — the amount of economic loss that isn’t insured — impacts the entire market and plagues the global economy,” said Trevor Maynard, Head of Innovation at Lloyd’s. “Jumpstart’s parametric model could play a significant role to help close this gap and build resilience of local communities.”
Although Jumpstart’s first offering is for earthquakes in California, it has plans to roll out the product in other states and to expand to other types of natural disasters.
For more information and to sign up, visit www.jumpstartrecovery.com.
About Jumpstart
Jumpstart is the first to provide parametric earthquake insurance for renters and homeowners in the U.S., in partnership with leading financial institutions. Parametric is a form of insurance where payments are linked to measurable events, such as the shaking intensity of an earthquake.
Jumpstart Insurance Solutions, Inc. is a California Benefit Corporation and a licensed surplus lines insurance broker in California (#0K67793). Jumpstart complies with all state-mandated regulations for surplus line insurance brokers.
About The Channel Syndicate 2015 at Lloyd’s
The Channel Syndicate 2015 at Lloyd’s is managed by The Channel Managing Agency, a fully authorized Lloyd’s Managing Agency. Led by a strong management team and supported by experienced underwriters, the Channel Syndicate 2015 at Lloyd’s started underwriting in 2011 and has subsequently significantly expanded and diversified its operations. With a client centric focus, the Channel Syndicate 2015 at Lloyd’s underwriters are accessible and empowered to make decisions and work collaboratively with clients to meet their most complex insurance needs.
The Channel Syndicate 2015 at Lloyd’s is a non-US (or Alien) surplus line insurer that is not licensed or admitted in California — but is qualified to accept placements in California from California surplus line brokers.
The Channel Managing Agency Limited, 10 Lime Street, London EC3M 7AA, United Kingdom is registered in England and Wales, Company Number: 08614385 and is authorized by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority.
The Channel Syndicate 2015 at Lloyd’s is a member of and is supported by the SCOR Group (a tier 1 and the world’s fourth largest reinsurer, rated AA- by S&P, Moody’s and Fitch; and A+ by AM Best). In 2017 the SCOR Group’s gross written premiums were €14.8bn, of which Property & Casualty comprised approximately €6bn.
For more information, please visit http://www.channel2015.com and http://www.scor.com.
About AmWINS
AmWINS Group, Inc. is the largest independent wholesale distributor of specialty insurance products in the United States, dedicated to serving retail insurance agents by providing property and casualty products, specialty group benefit products and administrative services. Based in Charlotte, N.C., the company operates through more than 110 offices globally and handles premium placements in excess of $14 billion dollars annually. To learn more, visit www.amwins.com.
About Lloyd’s
Lloyd’s is the world’s specialist insurance and reinsurance market. Under our globally trusted name, we provide the underwriters on our platform with access to more than 200 countries. Backed by diverse global capital and excellent financial ratings, supplemented by our Central Fund, Lloyd’s works with a global network of distribution partners to grow the insured world –building resilience of local communities and strengthening global economic growth. For more information, please visit www.lloyds.com.
NOTE: This does not constitute and is not intended by Jumpstart or any of the entities mentioned in this release to constitute a solicitation for any insurance business.
This post originally appeared on jumpstartrecovery.com.
