Welcome to The BTB – your view into what's driving the conversation in the insurtech industry. This proprietary look at traditional and social media landscapes comprises data from a treasure trove of tools and expert analysis from INK's insurtech team. We pull from mainstream media, trade media, and social media from the previous month to determine who is talking, what they're talking about, and why. In-depth monitoring, analysis, and going beneath the surface of what's trending is critical to bringing value to our clients. The aptly named BTB is just one of the tools we use to Be There Before™ for our clients.
October was a stormy month, literally and figuratively, for the U.S. Hurricanes Helene and Milton dominated media coverage and social feeds, spotlighting the nation's readiness (or lack thereof) to handle catastrophic events. Helene, one of the deadliest and most destructive storms to hit the U.S., left inland and coastal communities grappling with the fallout, and the recovery journey is far from over.
These back-to-back storms are shaking up more than just insurance; they’re rippling through real estate, construction, and beyond. And it all happened just weeks before the presidential election, fueling the moment's intensity. Now, as the public wonders if the next president, state regulators, and legislators will weigh changes to climate science and policy, FEMA, disaster funding, building codes, and state insurance rate regulations, the industry faces some hard choices.
For insurtechs, this is an opportunity to help. Technology must rise to meet these challenges head-on, helping insurers and property owners navigate an era of increasingly destructive hazard seasons. As insurers start planning their 2025 budgets, the demand for tech-driven solutions — from risk management to smarter claims processes — has never been more apparent. Now’s the time to show them the tools they’ll need to adapt and thrive in this new climate reality.
October media conversations focused on the impact of interest rate cuts, inflation, and rising mortgage rates on the insurance market, emphasizing how the election will affect prices and coverage. The financial consequences of Hurricanes Milton and Helene also received much media attention. Several articles highlight the economic challenges faced by Florida residents and the state of the insurance market in the region.
Top-tier media zeroed in on insurance more than typical in October, as Hurricanes Helene and Milton and the pending election drove stories around the future of insurance affordability and construction regulation in high-risk areas. Additionally, a top insurance trade event, Insuretech Connect, fueled mid-month coverage around insurtech trends in AI and digital transformation, particularly around data management, climate solutions and claims management.
Click to ScrollCredit ratings, homeownership costs, long COVID claims, and flood risk were popular coverage subjects in October. We're also starting to see the first hints of trends and predictions coverage, with articles on the use of innovative technology like AI and other industry-specific predictions.
The first week of October saw a continued influx of social posts bleeding over from Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. Insurance-related activity on social returned to normal levels for the remainder of the month, though conversations continued to focus on the hurricanes' impact on insurance. Reddit activity also grew QoQ, with many users taking to the platform to share personal stories of hurricane damage and seek advice.
Over 50% of October posts referenced Hurricane Helene, making it the top topic by volume. 'People' was the second most-used term, with many posts calling for the industry to prioritize individuals' needs over insurers'. Trump was also frequently mentioned, with comparisons of his policies to Harris' and discussions on how both may influence the sector and consumers depending on election outcomes.
Most #AI-related posts were from industry leaders or corporations, highlighting AI's role in driving automation, speed and agility within insurance. #Helene and #Milton trended as users discussed insurance losses and system flaws, while #VoteBlue appeared due to a popular tweet declaring that recent laws could lead to higher insurance rates and limited coverage, potentially leaving Florida-based residents vulnerable to uncovered damages.
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Florida's Biggest Insurer Cuts Over 600K Policies After Hurricane Helene
What Harris Needs to Say About Hurricanes
Most U.S. homeowners hit by Hurricane Helene don't have flood insurance
Florida Democrats want action after ‘damning’ insurance whistleblower allegations
‘It’s shameful and I won’t pay it’: flood-hit Italians rage against insurance call
Climate change reshapes cities, both environmentally and financially
