Podcast: Predict & Prevent: Code for success: Building a disaster-resistant future
As severe weather becomes more frequent, the challenge isn’t just how to respond—it’s how to prepare before disaster strikes.
Listen to the latest episode of Predict & Prevent from The Institutes, where host Pete Miller, President and CEO of The Institutes, talks with Mark Berven, President and COO of Nationwide Property & Casualty, about the critical role building resiliency and stronger construction standards play in protecting against risk.
In this episode, Berven emphasizes the significant economic impact of severe weather and the growing interest in proactive solutions to prevent storm damage. He notes, “The focus that we are trying to bring in during these unprecedented times is not just supporting our customers after a claim, which is core to our mission, but really helping them take more proactive steps to find ways to avoid losses from happening to begin with.” He discusses how building codes and advanced building practices can mitigate these impacts, highlighting that while progress may be gradual, there is a positive shift towards recognizing their importance.
Berven also addresses common misconceptions about the costs associated with building to higher standards, noting that investing in resilient construction can lead to substantial savings by preventing extensive storm damage and reducing long-term recovery costs. Findings from Nationwide’s Protection Survey underscore how damage and recovery times could be minimized with stronger building practices.