Center for Risk and Insurance Research

Center for Risk and Insurance Research Contact Us:

Lawrence S.

The Center for Risk and Insurance Research is a credible source of objective insight, information, and analysis on insurance and risk management for all Alabamians. The Alabama Center for Insurance Information and Research provides highly credible information and research insight for the benefit key stakeholders across the State of Alabama, including policymakers, the public, insurance companies,

intermediaries, trade groups, and other parties who need information concerning the management risk. Powell
Director
[email protected]
205.348.3589

Danielle Kenaston
Program Coordinator
[email protected]
205.348.3583

Kaylin Bowen
Communications Specialist
[email protected]
205.348.4513

Safety extends beyond hard hats and hazard prevention. During National Safety Month, promoting holistic worker health is...
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.

June is National Safety Month, and this week’s focus is staying safe on the roads.Research conducted by Dr. Lars Powell,...
06/09/2026

June is National Safety Month, and this week’s focus is staying safe on the roads.

Research conducted by Dr. Lars Powell, Executive Director of the Center for Risk and Insurance Research (CRIR), and Dr. Boyi Zhuang, Associate Researcher at CRIR, found that distracted drivers are approximately three times more likely to cause a fatal crash than focused drivers.

Their research also estimates that distracted drivers represent just 3–4% of drivers on the road at any given time, yet they create a disproportionate share of roadway risk.

Whether you're commuting to work, traveling for vacation, or simply running errands, remember that every distraction can have serious consequences. Put the phone down, stay focused, and help make our roads safer for everyone.

Read more about the research: https://crir.culverhouse.ua.edu/2022/05/24/how-risky-is-distracted-driving/

At the Flood, Fire & Wind Conference in Dallas, TX, CRIR Director Lars Powell joined Andy Neal of Aon Reinsurance Soluti...
06/02/2026

At the Flood, Fire & Wind Conference in Dallas, TX, CRIR Director Lars Powell joined Andy Neal of Aon Reinsurance Solutions, Julie Shiyou-Woodard of Smart Home America, and Jonah Wagner of Zephyr Resilience for Risk to Resilience: Building and Retrofitting for Wind Performance.

The discussion highlighted Hurricane Sally research showing IBHS FORTIFIED® homes perform better in severe wind events and how insurers are using this data to inform underwriting, pricing, and resilience programs.

Thank you to our panelists and partners for an engaging conversation on strengthening residential resilience. We appreciate their continued commitment to advancing these efforts across research, industry expertise, and practical mitigation strategies.

Together, we can help create stronger homes and better outcomes for homeowners and communities.

June 1 marks the official start of hurricane season. While NOAA is forecasting a below-normal Atlantic hurricane season,...
06/02/2026

June 1 marks the official start of hurricane season. While NOAA is forecasting a below-normal Atlantic hurricane season, preparedness remains critical. It only takes one storm to have a significant impact on communities, homeowners, and insurers.

Recent research from The University of Alabama's Center for Risk and Insurance Research, commissioned by the Alabama Department of Insurance, highlights how investments in resilience can reduce storm-related losses. A study examining the performance of Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety - IBHS homes during Hurricane Sally found that homes built or retrofitted to standards experienced substantially fewer insurance claims and lower overall losses than conventionally constructed homes.

Key findings include:
✔️ Roof homes experienced 73% fewer insurance claims and 72% lower total losses.
✔️ Gold homes experienced 76% fewer insurance claims and 67% lower total losses.

The research reinforces an important lesson: resilience measures taken before a storm can make a meaningful difference in protecting homes, reducing losses, and strengthening communities.

Learn more about CRIR's Hurricane Sally research and other resilience-focused studies:https://aldoi.gov/PDF/News/PerformanceIBHSFortifiedHomeConstructionHurricaneSally.pdf

05/28/2026

🐾 In recognition of National Pet Month, it’s a good reminder that pets are part of the family and should be included in every emergency plan.

Explore these tips to help keep your furry companions safe and prepared during emergencies: https://bit.ly/3GK1PLu

The Center for Risk and Insurance Research is excited to see Dr. Lars Powell featured as part of the Insurance for Good ...
05/19/2026

The Center for Risk and Insurance Research is excited to see Dr. Lars Powell featured as part of the Insurance for Good Research for Practice webinar series on Thursday, May 21.

Dr. Powell will discuss the benefits of loss reduction and findings related to housing and risk reduction on the Gulf Coast. Learn how much home hardening can save in avoided losses, lead to higher property values, and improve insurability. Also hear about Alabama’s nationally recognized policy approaches to creating safer homes that are better able to withstand hurricanes.

Don’t miss this important conversation on resilience and risk reduction. Register today! https://zoom.us/webinar/register/7217749754898/WN_sjkVWnPyT_GtJNCElwAiYQ #/registration

Week 3 of Building Safety Month focuses on “Prepared to Protect” and the importance of disaster preparedness, resilient ...
05/18/2026

Week 3 of Building Safety Month focuses on “Prepared to Protect” and the importance of disaster preparedness, resilient construction, and strong building codes. From severe storms and tornadoes to flooding and wildfires, preparation plays a critical role in protecting lives, homes, businesses, and communities.

Modern building codes, mitigation efforts, and emergency planning help reduce damage and improve recovery after disasters strike. Insurance is also an important part of preparedness by helping individuals, families, and businesses recover when the unexpected happens.

The Center for Risk and Insurance Research is proud to support efforts that promote safer, stronger, and more resilient communities.

Week 2 of Building Safety Month recognizes the Voices of the Built Environment and the professionals who work every day ...
05/11/2026

Week 2 of Building Safety Month recognizes the Voices of the Built Environment and the professionals who work every day to keep our communities safe, resilient, and prepared.

From engineers and code officials to emergency managers and insurers, building safety is a shared responsibility. Strong building practices not only help protect lives and property, but they also play a critical role in reducing risk, limiting insurance losses, and supporting faster recovery after disasters.

At the Center for Risk and Insurance Research, we are committed to doing our part through research, education, and outreach that supports safer, stronger communities across Alabama and beyond.

https://www.iccsafe.org/advocacy/building-safety-month/bsm-week-2/

Hurricane Preparedness Week is a great time to get ready for the season ahead. Forecasts do more than track storms. They...
05/05/2026

Hurricane Preparedness Week is a great time to get ready for the season ahead.

Forecasts do more than track storms. They help you prepare. Learn how to understand key details like storm paths, rainfall, and wind speeds so you can act early and stay safe.

Find out more at https://magazine.northeast.aaa.com/shorthand_story/hurricane-guide/

Dr. Lars Powell, Director of the Center for Risk and Insurance Research at The University of Alabama, presented to elect...
05/01/2026

Dr. Lars Powell, Director of the Center for Risk and Insurance Research at The University of Alabama, presented to elected and code officials in Mississippi yesterday, sharing key findings from the Center’s Hurricane Sally Study. The discussion highlighted how stronger construction practices, particularly FORTIFIED standards, can significantly improve home resilience and reduce storm-related damage.

You can read the full report herehttps://aldoi.gov/PDF/News/PerformanceIBHSFortifiedHomeConstructionHurricaneSally.pdf

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Tuscaloosa, AL
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