AIR Worldwide is the scientific leader and most respected provider of risk modeling software and consulting services. The company has integrated GfK GeoMarketing's global CRESTA zones maps into its CLASIC/2™ software application. Customers of AIR benefit from precise regional analyses and a new level of transparency in a highly complex business. We spoke to AIR'S Dr. Roger Grenier, Vice President of Product Management.

What´s the situation of the insurance / reinsurance branches in which you are active?
Today, the catastrophe modeling technology that was pioneered by AIR is used by almost all reinsurers and many insurers around the world. But it is no longer only the insurance industry that relies on AIR modeling. Applications of the technology have since broadened to serve corporate risk managers, investors, mortgage underwriters, government officials and a wide variety of other stakeholders exposed to catastrophe risk.

For which products do you use our maps?
We have incorporated the GfK maps into our CLASIC/2 software application. CLASIC/2™ is perfect for companies who need to accurately assess risk down to the individual location level. CLASIC/2™ takes full advantage of the construction, occupancy, age and height of each structure, as well as location specific geographic and geologic information as well as insurance policy and reinsurance treaty terms. By utilizing this detailed exposure information on each location and policy, CLASIC/2 facilitates individual risk selection, underwriting and pricing decisions.

Who are the users for these services?
More than 400 insurance, reinsurance, financial, corporate and government clients rely on AIR software and services for catastrophe risk management, insurance-linked securities, detailed site-specific wind and seismic engineering analyses, agricultural risk management and property replacement-cost valuation.

How do users benefit from the maps?
The maps and underlying data allow our clients to import data into the software for the purpose of performing the risk analysis. The underlying data provide a geocode to locate the client's exposures on the ground, and the mapping helps visualize where the exposures are located and in what concentrations. Clients can visualize their exposure inside the application as well as in printed reports. This gives their analyses a new level of transparency.

Why did you choose our maps?
Especially when it comes to maps of postcode boundaries, which are essential in our business to locate and visualize exposures, GfK GeoMarketing's maps are second to none. They have extensive coverage of both postal and admin maps, in consistent quality and in accordance with the CRESTA zones. We also appreciate the regular updates, the fact that all maps are gapless and seamless, and that they provide highly-detailed coastlines. Many population centers are near the coast, which means there are a lot of insured assets as a result. It's absolutely paramount in risk modeling that insured properties are correctly placed and for that we rely on GfK GeoMarketing's ultra-precise maps.

AIR founded the catastrophe modeling industry in 1987 and today models the risk from natural catastrophes and terrorism in more than 50 countries. AIR is headquartered in Boston with additional offices in North America, Europe, and Asia. Dr. Grenier and his team are responsible for AIR's product development efforts, including product planning, release management and quality assurance.

More information at  www.air-worldwide.com.

GfK GeoMarketing is the official producer of the CRESTA Zones maps

CRESTA maps reveal worldwide zones of elevated natural disaster risks as determined by CRESTA (Catastrophe Risk Evaluating and Standardizing Target Accumulations). In collaboration with the CRESTA organization, chaired by reinsurance companies Munich Re and Swiss Re, GfK GeoMarketing offers maps of the worldwide CRESTA zones.
All map layers provide comprehensive coverage and fit together seamlessly. For more information and samples, contact Doris Steffen: +49 (0)7251 9295180.