On April 8th, SCIPP’s Rachel Riley moderated a panel at Insurcon, an annual insurance industry conference hosted by the Independent Insurance Agents of Oklahoma (BIGiOK). The panel session was titled “Strengthening Oklahoma’s Buildings to Withstand Hazardous Weather: The Problem. The Solution. The How.”, and featured representatives from the National Weather Service, Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS), and the Oklahoma Insurance Department. A session description was included on the event’s website:
Hail and severe wind cause a lot of damage to homes and buildings in Oklahoma. Did you know that cost-effective construction practices exist that can reduce the impact and costs of these events? Attend this session to hear from three speakers who will share evidence-based practices for how buildings get damaged and what can be done to build stronger, the role the insurance industry can play to help reduce costs for everyone, and an incentive program that is being administered through the Oklahoma Insurance Department. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask the panelists questions.
Riley’s participation at Insurcon grew out of relationships and dialogue established during SCIPP’s Hazard Resilient Building Workshop, which took place in October 2025. Several of the presenters at Insurcon had also taken part in SCIPP’s fall workshop, where initial conversations developed, and these connections carried forward into the April event.
The Oklahoma Insurance Department Strengthen Oklahoma Homes program began in 2025 and will continue this year: https://www.oid.ok.gov/okready/. Homeowners may apply for up to a $10,000 grant to be used for a roof upgrade. IBHS resources are featured on their website: https://ibhs.org/.
More information about Insurcon can be found on the meeting’s website here.
Read SCIPP’s Hazard Resilient Building Workshop report here.