Lessons from 2025’s major catastrophe events

Although global catastrophe losses in 2025 remain below the decadal average, this year has delivered several events that have tested catastrophe models, underwriting assumptions and reinsurance structures. From the Los Angeles wildfires to the Myanmar earthquake, widespread flooding, and a hyperactive tropical cyclone season, insurers have faced new lessons in both model performance and global event correlation. Join InsTech and a panel of experts as we examine what really happened in 2025’s major catastrophe events and what this means for risk management, pricing and model validation across the insurance value chain. Part of InsTech’s Exponential Risk Series, this session sets the scene for our flagship Exponential Risk Conference (10-11 March, London). Our panel will share their insights into: - What drove this year’s most impactful catastrophe losses - the surprises, the near-misses and the unexpected patterns. - How evolving hazard behaviour, such as U.S. hurricane remnants reaching Europe, is reshaping understanding of global risk correlations. - What weather and climate signals, including late-season hurricanes, reveal about shifting model assumptions. - The implications of 2025’s events for model accuracy, validation and emerging gaps. - How insurers and reinsurers can apply lessons from this year to strengthen catastrophe risk management and model governance. Speakers include: - Dr. Nigel Winspear, Head of Natural Catastrophe Analytics Research, Sompo International - Cameron Rye, Director of Natural Catastrophe Analytics, Willis Re - Nalan Senol Cabi, Head of Catastrophe Model Research, Arch Insurance Group - Robert Stevenson, Director of Cat Risk & Reinsurance Analytics, Lloyd's - Moderated by Claire Souch, Independent Consultant This event is for catastrophe modellers, underwriters, exposure managers, reinsurers and anyone involved in evaluating or managing natural catastrophe risk.