Center for Risk and Insurance Research

10/13/2026

International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction | October 13

Disaster resilience is about more than rebuilding after a disaster. It means taking steps ahead of time to protect our homes, families, and communities.

The University of Alabama’s Center for Risk and Insurance Research (CRIR) supports disaster preparedness and resilience through research, education, and partnerships.

Through our partnerships with the Alabama Emergency Management Agency and the Alabama Department of Insurance, along with our research on Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety - IBHS construction and its impact on storm-related losses, CRIR works to advance understanding of disaster risk and ways to reduce its impact.

Every household should have the opportunity to live in a home that is safe, affordable, and better prepared to withstand local hazards. Research, collaboration, and informed decisions can help move us toward that goal.

Learn more about the International Day for Disaster Risk:
https://www.un.org/en/observances/disaster-reduction-day

10/07/2026

Don’t let Isaias catch you off guard. Stay informed, stay prepared, and stay ahead of the storm.

10/07/2026

October 4–10 is Fire Prevention Week.

Fire prevention is about more than protecting our homes. It is about protecting the people, pets, and communities we care about.

This Fire Prevention Week, take a moment to review fire safety practices, make sure your household is prepared, and think about neighbors who may need a little extra help. Remember to include your pets in your emergency plans, too.

Being prepared also means understanding your insurance coverage and knowing what protection you have if the unexpected happens.

A little preparation today can make a difference tomorrow.

10/02/2026

On Wednesday, September 30, emergency management professionals and community partners came together at the University of North Alabama for the Alabama Emergency Management Agency's 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗺𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁.

The Summit focused on strengthening relationships and collaboration across Alabama’s resilience stakeholder network, bringing together public and private sector partners to discuss preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery. Dr. Laura Myers helped guide conversations focused on building trust, strengthening communication and collaboration, and turning professional perspectives into practical actions that can support communities before, during, and after disasters.

Through panel discussions and interactive roundtables, participants shared perspectives, identified opportunities for stronger coordination, and developed recommendations to help advance regional preparedness and community resilience.

CRIR was pleased to be part of this important conversation and continues to value its ongoing partnership with Alabama Emergency Management.

09/02/2026

September is Life Insurance Awareness Month, a time to learn more about life insurance and the role it can play in protecting financial security.

According to LIMRA’s 2026 Insurance Barometer Study:
· 48% (nearly half) of Americans have no life insurance at all.
· 47% of Americans who have life insurance have coverage through their workplace.
· 38% say they need life insurance or additional coverage.
· Only 29% say they could remain financially secure for more than two years if their primary wage earner died.

Life insurance needs can change as life circumstances change. Taking time to
understand your coverage and financial needs can help you make informed
decisions about the future.

Learn more and explore LIMRA’s Life Insurance Awareness Month resources: https://www.limra.com/en/newsroom/life-insurance-awareness-month-2026/

Source: LIMRA, 2026 Insurance Barometer Study

08/20/2026

Following the deadly 2011 tornadoes that devastated communities across Alabama and Missouri, Lars Powell, Executive Director, and Boyi Zhuang, Associate Researcher, with the Center for Risk and Insurance Research, along with Charles Yang of Florida Atlantic University, examined how the resulting losses influenced insurance pricing.

The study finds that insurers experiencing greater losses subsequently raised premiums more than comparable insurers with fewer or no losses, providing insight into how past losses can influence future insurance pricing.

This study investigates the post-catastrophe pricing strategies of insurance companies, focusing on the aftermath of the 2011 tornadoes in Alabama and Missouri. We analyze the influence of substantia...

07/22/2026

07/15/2026

Today is National Pet Fire Safety Day. Pets aren't just animals; they’re part of the family.

Did you know?
• Approximately 500,000 pets are affected by home fires each year.
• An estimated 40,000 pets die in house fires annually.
• Nearly 1,000 home fires are accidentally started by pets each year.

Now is the perfect time to take a few minutes to help protect the four-legged members of your household. Simple steps today can make a big difference during an emergency.

• Include them in your family's emergency plan.
• Keep pets away from candles, fireplaces, cooking areas, and exposed electrical cords.
• Test your smoke alarms regularly.
• Keep leashes, carriers, and emergency supplies in an easy-to-reach location.
• Place a pet alert window decal on your home so first responders know pets may be inside.

Preparedness isn't just about protecting your home, it's about protecting everyone who calls it home.

Learn more about pet fire safety: https://www.akcpetinsurance.com/blog/national-pet-fire-safety-day-tips

07/08/2026

One year later, the Texas Hill Country Flood remains difficult to comprehend. The lives lost and the families forever changed are a heartbreaking reminder of why preparedness and resilience matter.

In the latest episode of the GeoTrek podcast, Dr. Laura Myers, Senior Research Specialist and Resilience Director for the Center for Risk and Insurance Research at The University of Alabama, shares research focused on helping communities better prepare for disasters before they happen.

Joined by University of South Florida master's student Nicholas Stanley, Dr. Myers discusses how improved hazard mapping, emergency planning, and more effective warning systems can better protect summer camps and the children, families, and staff who depend on them.

As we remember those affected by this tragedy, we also recognize the importance of learning from the past to help protect lives in the future.

Listen to the GeoTrek podcast: https://lnkd.in/gzvRyMVv

Or watch the conversation on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gNE5zQfE

06/17/2026

Safety extends beyond hard hats and hazard prevention. During National Safety Month, promoting holistic worker health is an important part of building resilience.

Physical health, mental well-being, stress management, and work-life balance all influence how people perform, respond to challenges, and support one another in the workplace. By fostering environments that prioritize overall well-being, organizations can strengthen safety outcomes while creating healthier, more resilient communities.

A safer future begins with supporting the people who make it possible.