Running a successful independent agency is a constant balancing act. You’re a trusted advisor, a small business owner, a sales leader, and often, the chief problem-solver. With so many hats to wear, it’s easy to feel like you’re spending more time managing your book than growing it. This article is designed to help you step back and look at the bigger picture of P&C insurance. We’ll explore how a deep understanding of the product, from policy details to premium factors, can help you build stronger client relationships and a more resilient business. We’ll also touch on how to evaluate each p&c insurance company you work with, ensuring your partners align with your goals for long-term, profitable growth.
Key Takeaways
- Translate complexity into clarity for your clients: Your true value lies in demystifying the fine print, explaining risk factors, and busting common myths. This expertise builds the trust that turns a policyholder into a lifelong client.
- Use technology to automate tasks, not relationships: The right tech stack, from AI-powered quoting to digital claims processing, handles time-consuming administrative work. This frees you to focus on providing the strategic advice and personal service that technology can’t replicate.
- Vet your partners to protect your reputation: Your agency’s success is tied to the carriers you choose and the operational support you use. Prioritize partners with proven financial stability, excellent customer service, and efficient processes to ensure your clients are protected and your agency can grow.
What is P&C Insurance?
As an agency owner, property and casualty insurance is your world. But it’s always helpful to revisit the fundamentals that form the bedrock of your business. At its core, P&C insurance is about protecting the things people own and shielding them from legal responsibility when accidents happen. It’s a straightforward concept that branches into the complex, essential policies you manage every day. A clear grasp of these basics is key to communicating value to your clients and running a successful agency.
What It Is and Why It Matters
Let’s start with the basics. Property and casualty (P&C) insurance is a broad term for coverage that protects your clients’ assets and shields them from liability. Think of it as a financial safety net for their most valuable possessions—like their homes and cars—and for their personal responsibility if someone is injured or their property is damaged. For your clients, having the right policy can mean the difference between a manageable incident and a devastating financial crisis. For you, it’s the core of the value you provide, offering peace of mind and stability in an unpredictable world. It’s the foundation upon which you build lasting client relationships.
The Core Components
P&C insurance is built on two main pillars: property protection and casualty (or liability) coverage. Property insurance covers damage to or theft of your clients’ physical belongings, from their house and personal items to their vehicle or commercial equipment. Casualty insurance, on the other hand, covers their legal responsibility for accidents or injuries to other people. A standard homeowners policy is a perfect example of both in action, covering damage to the house itself (property) while also providing liability protection if a guest gets hurt on the premises (casualty). Effectively managing these policy details is central to keeping your clients properly protected.
What Does P&C Insurance Cover?
At its core, property and casualty (P&C) insurance is a promise of financial protection. Think of it as two sides of the same coin. The “property” side covers your tangible assets—your home, your car, your business equipment. The “casualty” side, also known as liability coverage, protects you financially if you’re found legally responsible for an accident that injures another person or damages their property. It’s the safety net that catches you when the unexpected happens, from a minor fender bender to a major lawsuit.
For you as an agency owner, a deep understanding of these coverages is non-negotiable. It’s the bedrock of the advice you give and the trust you build with clients. When you can clearly explain what a policy does and doesn’t cover, you move from being a salesperson to a valued risk advisor. This expertise is central to running effective insurance operations, as it ensures every client question is answered with confidence and every policy recommendation is sound. While the P&C umbrella is vast, its protection is built on a few fundamental pillars that address the most common risks people and businesses face every day. Let’s walk through the main types of coverage your clients will need.
Homeowners Insurance
Your home is often your most significant asset, and a standard homeowners policy is designed to protect it from multiple angles. First, it covers the physical structure of your house and your personal belongings from damage caused by events like fire, windstorms, or theft. If a storm damages your roof or a fire destroys your kitchen, this coverage helps you rebuild and replace what was lost. Second, it includes liability protection. This is crucial if a guest is injured on your property—for example, if they slip and fall on an icy walkway. Homeowners insurance can cover their medical bills and your legal fees if you’re sued, providing a critical financial shield against accidents.
Auto Insurance
For most people, auto insurance is the most familiar type of P&C coverage. It’s also a legal requirement in nearly every state. A typical auto policy is a bundle of different coverages. Liability coverage pays for injuries and property damage you cause to others in an accident. Collision coverage pays to repair or replace your own vehicle after a crash, regardless of who is at fault. Comprehensive coverage handles damage from non-collision events, such as theft, vandalism, or a fallen tree branch. Understanding the different types of auto insurance is key to helping clients choose limits that fully protect their assets, not just meet the state minimum.
Liability Insurance
Liability coverage is the part of your insurance that protects your finances from lawsuits. While your home and auto policies include some liability protection, it often has limits. If you’re responsible for a serious accident, these limits can be exhausted quickly, leaving your personal assets—like your savings and future income—at risk. This is where personal umbrella liability insurance comes in. It provides an extra layer of protection that kicks in after your primary policies are maxed out. It’s an essential tool for safeguarding against potential lawsuits and securing a client’s long-term financial well-being against a catastrophic claim.
Commercial Property Insurance
For your business-owning clients, their physical location and equipment are the heart of their livelihood. Commercial property insurance is designed to protect these vital assets. This coverage helps businesses recover from financial losses when their property is damaged by events like a fire, theft, or natural disaster. It can cover the building itself, as well as all the contents inside, including inventory, computers, machinery, and furniture. By ensuring a business can repair its space and replace its equipment, this insurance protects its ability to operate. It’s a foundational coverage for any company with physical assets to protect.
How Are P&C Premiums Calculated?
Explaining to a client why their premium is what it is can be one of the trickiest parts of the job. It’s a blend of art and science, where insurers use a ton of data to predict the likelihood of a future claim. The final number isn’t arbitrary; it’s a reflection of the unique risk a policyholder represents. As an agent, your role is to demystify this process, helping clients see the connection between their circumstances and their costs. Understanding these calculations inside and out allows you to provide clear answers and guide clients toward choices that make sense for their financial picture.
Key Risk Factors
At its core, a premium is the insurer’s best guess at the cost of covering a client. This guess is informed by a wide range of risk factors that create a detailed profile of the policyholder. For auto insurance, this includes the driver’s age, their driving record, the type of car they drive, and even their zip code. For homeowners insurance, factors like the home’s age, construction materials, location in relation to fire hydrants or flood zones, and the presence of security systems all play a part. Helping clients understand these variables is key to preventing common insurance mistakes, as it shows them how their choices directly influence their rates.
The Impact of Your Claims History
A policyholder’s claims history is one of the most significant predictors of future risk. Insurers use industry-wide databases, like the CLUE (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange) report, to see a seven-year history of a person’s auto and property claims. A history of frequent or severe claims often signals a higher risk, which usually translates to a higher premium. This is why it’s so important to advise clients on when filing a small claim might not be in their best interest long-term. Sometimes, paying for a minor repair out-of-pocket can save them more money down the road by keeping their claims history clean and their premiums stable.
Understanding Limits and Deductibles
The structure of the policy itself is a major lever in premium calculation. The deductible—the amount a client pays out-of-pocket before coverage kicks in—has a direct inverse relationship with the premium. A higher deductible means a lower premium, and vice versa. Similarly, coverage limits—the maximum amount an insurer will pay for a covered loss—also affect the price. While it can be tempting for clients to choose a policy based on price alone, this can lead to inadequate coverage. For example, industry groups often recommend a minimum of $100,000 in bodily injury protection. Guiding clients to find the right balance between cost and coverage is a critical part of providing excellent operational support.
Why P&C Insurance is Essential
As an agent, you know that P&C insurance is more than just a policy—it’s a promise of security for your clients. It’s the foundation that allows families and businesses to take risks, grow, and recover when the unexpected happens. Explaining its importance clearly can make all the difference in helping clients see the true value of what you offer. It boils down to three core benefits: financial protection, peace of mind, and legal compliance.
Financial Protection
At its heart, P&C insurance is a crucial financial safety net. It shields your clients from the staggering costs that can follow a major accident or disaster. Think about a house fire, a multi-car collision, or a liability lawsuit—these events can lead to financial ruin without the right coverage. By paying a predictable premium, your clients transfer the risk of a catastrophic loss to an insurance carrier. This protection allows them to safeguard their assets, from their home and car to their business inventory, ensuring that one bad day doesn’t derail their entire future. It’s the practical, essential tool that makes recovery possible.
Peace of Mind
Beyond the balance sheet, the right insurance policy offers something invaluable: peace of mind. It’s the quiet confidence your clients feel knowing they won’t have to face a crisis alone. For instance, if a guest is injured on their property, homeowners insurance can cover the medical bills and potential legal fees, preventing a personal catastrophe. Helping clients understand their coverage demystifies the process and dispels common insurance misconceptions that cause anxiety. When people know they are properly protected against life’s biggest “what-ifs,” they can focus on living their lives and running their businesses without constant worry.
Legal Compliance
In many situations, P&C insurance isn’t just a smart choice—it’s a requirement. An insurance mandate is a government or institutional rule that requires individuals or businesses to carry specific coverage. The most common examples are auto insurance, which is legally required to operate a vehicle in nearly every state, and homeowners insurance, which mortgage lenders insist on to protect their investment. For business owners, workers’ compensation and certain liability policies are often non-negotiable. Fulfilling these requirements is a fundamental part of being a responsible driver, homeowner, or entrepreneur, making P&C insurance an absolute necessity.
P&C Insurance Myths, Busted
As an agent, you’re not just selling policies; you’re an educator and a trusted advisor. A big part of that role involves clearing up the misinformation that clients often hear from friends, family, or the internet. When your team can confidently address these myths, you build stronger, more trusting relationships. Having dedicated experts who can handle these client conversations with precision allows you to focus on growth while ensuring your customers get the clear, accurate information they deserve.
Myth: “All Policies Are the Same”
One of the most common and dangerous misconceptions is that property and casualty policies are standardized commodities. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth. Each policy is a unique contract with significant differences in coverage, exclusions, and limits. This is where your expertise becomes invaluable. You can guide a client away from a policy that looks good on the surface but is full of holes and toward one that truly fits their life. Explaining these policy differences is a powerful way to show a client you’re looking out for their best interests, not just making a quick sale.
Myth: “My Car’s Color Affects My Rate”
Let’s put this one to rest. While it’s a fun piece of trivia that gets passed around, the color of a person’s car has absolutely no bearing on their auto insurance rates. Insurers are far more interested in the vehicle’s make, model, year, engine size, and safety features. They also look at the driver’s record, location, and annual mileage. This is one of the easiest insurance myths to debunk for a client, and doing so can be a simple way to build rapport and establish your credibility as a knowledgeable professional who focuses on the factors that actually matter.
Myth: “Homeowners Insurance Covers Every Disaster”
Many homeowners operate under the false assumption that their policy is a shield against any and all potential disasters. This can be a financially devastating mistake. There is no single homeowners policy that covers every possible event. In fact, most standard policies explicitly exclude catastrophic events like floods and earthquakes, which typically require separate coverage. It’s essential to walk your clients through their policy documents to clear up any common insurance misconceptions and identify potential gaps. This proactive approach prevents unwelcome surprises and ensures they have the protection they truly need when disaster strikes.
How to Evaluate a P&C Insurance Company
Choosing the right P&C insurance company to partner with is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your agency. It’s not just about the products they offer; it’s about finding a partner whose stability, service, and systems align with your own standards. A great carrier makes your job easier and keeps your clients happy, while a poor one can create endless operational headaches and damage your reputation. When you’re vetting potential carriers, you’re essentially interviewing them for a long-term business relationship that will define your agency’s trajectory for years to come.
Think of it this way: their performance directly impacts your clients’ experience and, ultimately, your agency’s success. You need a partner who is financially sound, treats your clients with respect, handles claims efficiently, and uses technology that simplifies your workflow. A carrier that falls short in any of these areas can lead to client churn and operational drag, holding your agency back from its growth potential. Taking the time to thoroughly evaluate these key areas will pay off, ensuring you build a book of business on a solid foundation with partners you can trust. Let’s walk through the four critical areas you should examine before signing on the dotted line.
Check Their Financial Stability
Before anything else, you need to know if a carrier is financially healthy. A carrier’s ability to pay claims is the core of its promise to your clients. In a market facing challenges from inflation and an increase in natural catastrophes, an insurer’s financial resilience is more important than ever. The last thing you want is to partner with a company that might struggle to meet its obligations when your clients need them most. Look up their ratings from independent agencies like A.M. Best, Moody’s, or S&P. These firms specialize in assessing an insurer’s financial strength and provide a reliable, third-party view of their stability.
Review Their Customer Service
The carrier’s customer service is a direct extension of your agency’s brand. When your client has a question or needs to make a change, their experience with the carrier reflects on you. You can get a feel for this by reading online reviews, but it’s also wise to ask for direct feedback from others in the industry. Talk to other agents who work with the carrier to understand their experiences. A carrier that prioritizes a positive customer service experience will invest in helpful, accessible support teams, which makes your job of managing client relationships much smoother and reinforces the value you provide.
Assess Their Claims Process
The claims process is the moment of truth in insurance. A smooth, transparent, and fair claims experience can solidify a client’s loyalty for life, while a difficult one can send them running to a competitor. When evaluating a carrier, ask about their claims philosophy and process. How do they communicate with clients during a claim? What is their typical turnaround time? Top independent P&C insurance agencies know that excellent claims handling is a key differentiator, so find a partner who shares that commitment and has a proven track record of taking care of policyholders when it matters most.
Look at Their Tech Stack
In an increasingly digital world, a carrier’s technology can either be a major asset or a significant bottleneck for your agency. A modern, intuitive agent portal, streamlined quoting systems, and digital policy management tools can save you countless hours. Carriers that adopt advanced technologies like automation and data analytics are better equipped to provide fast, accurate service. When you’re evaluating a potential partner, pay close attention to the ease of doing business with them. A strong tech stack shows that a carrier is invested in efficiency and prepared for the future, making them a more valuable partner for your growing agency.
How Technology is Changing P&C Insurance
Technology is reshaping the P&C insurance landscape from the ground up. For independent agencies, this isn’t about replacing the human touch but enhancing it. The right tech stack allows you to automate routine tasks, gain deeper insights from data, and deliver the fast, seamless experience your clients expect. By embracing these changes, you can not only work more efficiently but also strengthen client relationships and position your agency for long-term growth. Let’s look at a few key areas where technology is making the biggest impact.
AI and Automation in Underwriting
The days of manual data entry and lengthy underwriting processes are quickly fading. AI-native services are transforming underwriting by analyzing vast amounts of data in seconds to assess risk and generate accurate quotes. This allows your agency to streamline operations and make smarter, faster decisions. Instead of getting bogged down in paperwork, you can process applications with greater efficiency and precision. This shift doesn’t just speed things up; it frees you to dedicate more time to what you do best: advising your clients and building lasting relationships. It’s about using technology to handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on the human element of insurance.
Using Data to Assess Risk
In the past, risk assessment relied on a handful of static data points. Today, technology allows us to use a much richer and more dynamic set of information. Outdated systems can hold agencies back, but leveraging modern data analytics helps you better assess risk and make more informed decisions. By analyzing everything from property records to weather patterns, you can develop a much clearer and more accurate picture of potential exposures. This leads to more precise underwriting and pricing, which is a win for both you and your clients. For your agency, it means improved profitability and a competitive edge in a crowded market.
Digital Claims Processing
A client’s experience during a claim can make or break their relationship with your agency. Technology is making this critical touchpoint smoother and more transparent than ever. Digital claims processing is essential for improving customer experience, as it allows for faster submissions and more efficient handling. Think mobile apps for uploading photos of damage, online portals for tracking claim status, and automated updates that keep clients informed every step of the way. This efficiency doesn’t replace your role as an advocate; it enhances it. With routine updates handled automatically, you can focus on providing guidance and reassurance when your clients need it most.
Telematics and Usage-Based Policies
Telematics and usage-based insurance (UBI) are moving auto insurance from a one-size-fits-all model to something far more personal. These are some of the most exciting transformative trends in the industry, allowing coverage to be tailored to an individual’s actual driving behavior. By using data from a smartphone app or a small device in the car, insurers can reward safe drivers with lower premiums. This creates a powerful incentive for clients to drive more carefully and deepens their engagement with their policy. For agents, it’s an opportunity to offer innovative, personalized products that reflect a client’s unique habits and provide tangible value.
Key Trends in the P&C Industry
The insurance world is constantly evolving, and staying ahead of the curve is what sets a great agent apart. Understanding the major shifts in the property and casualty sector helps you better serve your clients and position your agency for long-term success. These aren’t just abstract ideas; they are transformative trends affecting everything from underwriting to client conversations. Let’s look at three of the most significant ones shaping the P&C industry right now and what they mean for you and your clients.
Climate Change and Disaster Coverage
It’s impossible to ignore the growing impact of severe weather on the insurance industry. An increase in natural catastrophes has led to significant underwriting losses, putting pressure on carriers everywhere. This directly affects your clients through rising premiums and changes in what their policies cover, especially in high-risk areas. As an agent, your role is more critical than ever. You’re the one who can help clients understand these changes and review their disaster coverage to ensure they aren’t left exposed. These complex conversations require time and expertise, reinforcing your value as a trusted advisor in an unpredictable climate.
The Growth of Cyber Insurance
As our lives and businesses move increasingly online, so do the risks. Cyber insurance has quickly shifted from a niche product to an essential coverage for businesses of all sizes. From data breaches to ransomware attacks, the threats are real and can be financially devastating. This presents a major opportunity for you to educate your commercial and even personal clients on their vulnerabilities. Because cyber risk is a specialized field, clients rely on your guidance to find the right protection. By becoming proficient in this area, you can grow your agency significantly.
Personalized Policy Options
The days of one-size-fits-all insurance are fading. Today’s clients expect policies tailored to their unique lifestyles and specific risks. The good news is that independent agents are perfectly positioned to deliver this personalized experience. While technology enables more precise underwriting, customers still prefer the guidance and human touch of an agent. You have the ability to build relationships, understand your clients’ needs, and craft coverage that truly fits. By getting expert support on insurance operations, you can dedicate more time to this high-touch service, which is your key competitive advantage for building lasting loyalty.
How to Choose the Right P&C Insurance Company
Selecting the right insurance carriers to partner with is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your agency. It’s about more than just finding a good price for your clients; it’s about building a portfolio of reliable partners who will be there when a claim is filed. The carriers you choose directly reflect on your agency’s reputation and your ability to deliver on the promise of protection.
Making the right choice requires a thoughtful approach that balances cost, coverage, and service. When you find carriers that align with your agency’s values and your clients’ needs, you create a foundation for long-term success and client retention. By focusing on a few key areas, you can confidently select P&C insurance companies that will help you grow your agency and serve your clients well. Let’s walk through the three essential steps for evaluating and choosing the right insurance partners.
Compare Quotes and Coverage Options
It’s easy to fall into the trap of choosing an insurance company based on price alone, but that can be a costly mistake. The cheapest policy isn’t always the best one, and failing to compare different options can leave your clients with inadequate coverage when they need it most. Instead of just looking at the premium, take the time to conduct a side-by-side analysis of what each policy actually covers.
Look closely at the coverage limits, deductibles, and, most importantly, the exclusions. Does one policy offer higher limits for liability? Does another include specific endorsements that would otherwise cost extra? These details are what define the true value of a policy. Having a partner to handle the time-consuming parts of this process, like quoting and back-office tasks, can free you up to focus on this strategic analysis and provide better guidance to your clients. This is where dedicated support on insurance operations becomes a game-changer.
Read Customer Reviews
A carrier’s reputation is built on its promises and, more importantly, on how well it keeps them. Before you partner with an insurance company, find out what current policyholders are saying about their experience. Customer reviews and testimonials are a powerful source of insight into a company’s claims process, service quality, and overall reliability. A carrier with a pattern of poor reviews for claim handling or communication can become a liability for your agency.
Look beyond the company’s website. Check independent review sites, industry forums, and even social media to get a more complete picture. The customer service experience is a direct reflection of the carrier’s culture and operational strength. Choosing partners who are known for excellent service not only protects your clients but also enhances your agency’s credibility and trustworthiness.
Understand the Fine Print
The details matter, especially in an insurance policy. It’s essential to read the fine print to understand exactly what is and isn’t covered. Many standard policies have specific exclusions that can catch clients by surprise during a claim. For example, certain types of water damage or unique business risks might not be included in a base policy. As an agent, your expertise in these details is what sets you apart.
By thoroughly understanding the policy language of the carriers you represent, you can educate your clients, manage their expectations, and ensure they have the right protection. This diligence helps prevent difficult conversations down the road and protects your agency from potential E&O exposure. Knowing how to avoid common insurance mistakes starts with a deep understanding of the policy contract, turning you into an invaluable advisor for your clients.
What’s Next for P&C Insurance?
The property and casualty insurance landscape is constantly shifting. Between evolving customer expectations, new technologies, and a challenging market, it’s clear that what worked yesterday won’t necessarily work tomorrow. For independent agents, staying ahead means understanding these changes and adapting your strategy. The future belongs to agencies that can embrace new tools without losing the personal touch that defines their value. It’s about finding smarter ways to work so you can focus on what you do best: building relationships and advising your clients.
Adapting to New Customer Needs
Today’s clients expect seamless, digital-first experiences, and the insurance industry is working to catch up. Outdated systems can make it difficult to meet these modern demands for speed and convenience. According to recent consumer research, clients want more personalized options and easier ways to manage their policies. As an agent, this means you need the operational capacity to deliver quick quotes, process changes efficiently, and be available for your clients. The pressure is on to provide a smooth experience that rivals what they get in other parts of their lives, and having the right support system is key to making that happen and helping you grow your agency.
Balancing Technology with Personal Service
Even with the rise of digital tools, clients still value the guidance of an independent agent. Statistics show that most people prefer to work with a human expert when buying insurance. The key isn’t to choose between tech and touch, but to blend them. Technology, especially AI, can automate the time-consuming administrative work that bogs you down. Imagine having your quoting, servicing, and renewals handled with precision. This frees you up to provide the strategic advice and personal service that technology can’t replicate. Using AI-native services allows you to focus on strengthening client relationships, turning tech into your most powerful ally.
Responding to Regulatory Changes
The P&C industry is facing significant headwinds from inflation, an increase in natural catastrophes, and a complex regulatory environment. These factors contribute to a hard market that can be tough for agents and clients alike. In this climate, operational efficiency isn’t just a goal; it’s a necessity for survival and growth. Agents are finding ways to be resilient by streamlining their processes and enhancing client communication. Partnering with a team that can help you improve operations gives you the stability to manage these market pressures, ensuring your agency remains profitable and prepared for whatever comes next.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I best explain rising premiums to my clients, especially with factors like climate change making headlines? This is a tough but necessary conversation. The key is to be transparent and frame it around risk. Explain that insurance rates are a direct reflection of the projected risk, and unfortunately, factors like more frequent and severe weather events are increasing that risk for everyone. Instead of just delivering bad news, position yourself as their strategic partner. You can help them review their policy for potential discounts and ensure their coverage is still adequate, providing the best possible value even in a challenging market.
My clients often just want the cheapest policy. What’s the best way to demonstrate the value of better coverage over a lower price? Shift the conversation from price to protection. I find it helps to talk through real-world scenarios. Ask them, “If a major lawsuit happened, would the liability limits on this cheaper policy be enough to protect your savings and your home?” You’re not just selling a policy; you’re selling a promise that their financial life won’t be ruined after a bad day. When you frame it as protecting their future, the value of comprehensive coverage becomes much clearer than a simple price tag.
With all the new AI and automation, is the role of the independent agent becoming less important? Not at all. In fact, our role is becoming more important, but it’s also changing. Technology is an incredible ally that can handle the repetitive, time-consuming tasks like data entry and processing simple requests. This doesn’t replace us; it frees us. It allows us to spend less time on administrative work and more time doing what technology can’t: building genuine relationships, offering empathy, and providing the strategic advice clients need to navigate complex risks.
What’s the most critical factor to consider when choosing a new insurance carrier to partner with? While financial stability and a modern tech stack are essential, I always focus on their claims process. A carrier’s claims philosophy is the ultimate test of their promise to your clients. A smooth, fair, and transparent claims experience builds incredible loyalty, while a difficult one can destroy your agency’s reputation. Before signing on, talk to other agents and find out how the carrier truly behaves when a client needs them most.
Why is an umbrella policy so important if my clients already have liability coverage on their home and auto policies? Think of it as a crucial extra layer of security for their financial future. The liability limits on standard home and auto policies can be used up surprisingly quickly in a serious accident or lawsuit. An umbrella policy kicks in after those primary limits are exhausted, protecting your client’s personal assets—like their savings, investments, and future income—from being at risk. It’s an incredibly affordable way to safeguard everything they’ve worked for against a catastrophic claim.
