Over the past few years, the United States has suffered a number of serious and devastating catastrophes from hurricanes to wildfires and even volcanoes. As always, multiple insurance issues arise whenever there are catastrophic losses. The past few years are no exception.

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It will be weeks before damage estimates from Hurricane Harvey are finalized, but there is no doubt that insurers will see figures in the billions of dollars.

After Hurricane Katrina, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), a federal program managed by the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), experienced more than $15 billion in losses in Louisiana and Mississippi.

For the first five months of 2017, the average claim payment for a flood loss was $24,698. CoreLogic, a global property information and analytics firm, conducted an analysis that found 52% of commercial and residential properties in the Houston metro area are at a "high" or "moderate" risk of flooding.

For homeowners and renters impacted by Hurricane Harvey, it will be important to document the loss and file a claim with their insurer or the NFIP, if they have the appropriate coverage. Here are some things to consider:

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Sharing platforms like Uber and Airbnb have brought a new level of convenience and affordability to many of life’s transactions. With the click of a button, you can find a cheap place to stay in a foreign city, rent an unused room in a home, or get a driver to pick you up in the rain. For providers, sharing services offer an easy way to earn extra money.

One of the reasons on-demand platforms are so cost-effective is because they operate largely outside existing insurance and regulatory frame-works. “Every one of these activities gives rise to an entire family of potential liabilities,” says Bob Hartwig, professor of risk management and insurance at the University of South Carolina. Insurance experts agree on one thing: People who provide services in the sharing economy often lack adequate protection.

Here’s how to minimize your risk:

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In recognition of National Dog Bite Prevention Week 2017, from April 9–15, here are some questions and answers relating to the ownership of dogs by tenants and the available insurance coverage for dog bites and damage to the premises.

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