Catastrophic weather events are a major source of disruption across Canada. Severe storms, flooding, wildfire, wind and freezing conditions continue to increase in frequency and severity, leaving many households uncertain about what may come next. At CURO Claims Services, the in-house claims department for Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan (OTIP) and Orbit Insurance Services policyholders, we are focused on finding better ways to support people during these events. Our goal is simple: provide policyholders with clarity, preparedness and confidence at a time when the weather can feel unpredictable and stressful.

To do this, CURO has been exploring how to use Applied data more effectively. Applied holds the information that matters most during a weather event, including policyholder location, coverage and property details. By pairing this data with mapping tools, CURO has changed the way we evaluate developing risks and support policyholders before, during and after catastrophic events.

From Static Data To Clear Geographic Insight

Applied has always been the central source of truth for policyholder and policy information at OTIP and Orbit. It contains the core data that matters during a weather event, including policyholder addresses, coverage details, and property information. Historically, this information was accessed through reports or spreadsheets, which made it difficult to quickly understand geographic exposure or see patterns across regions.

To strengthen our situational awareness, CURO began mapping policy data from Applied into ArcGIS, a geographic information system that allows data to be visualized on an interactive map. By using policyholder address data already stored in Applied, our teams can see where policyholders are located across Canada and how those locations relate to developing or active weather events.

This approach allows CURO to move beyond static lists and manual interpretation. Instead, teams can view policyholder concentrations geographically and more easily identify regions where severe weather may impact a higher number of households. Because the data originates from Applied, it remains consistent, current, and aligned with the policy records our claims teams rely on every day.

The result is a clearer, faster understanding of potential exposure when weather events begin to form, supporting earlier evaluation and more informed decision making across the claims operation.

Proactive Outreach Before a Storm Arrives

One of the most impactful benefits of mapping Applied data is the ability to reach out to policyholders before a storm occurs. When a region is expected to experience damaging winds, potential flooding or other serious weather conditions, CURO can identify the policyholders who may be in the affected area and send timely, practical messages.

These messages may include:

• Reminders to secure outdoor property.
• Safety considerations and preparation tips.
• How to reach CURO if damage occurs.
• Steps to take immediately after an event.

Policyholders consistently tell us they appreciate this early contact. It reinforces that CURO is paying attention and ready to support them even before the first sign of damage. It also helps reduce preventable losses and gives policyholders more control during a stressful situation.

Understanding Our Exposure When a Catastrophe Occurs

Our mapping approach gives CURO a clear visual of where policyholders are located relative to real weather events as they unfold. While our system is not yet connected to automated live weather feeds, our teams compare policyholder locations against current storm paths, radar images and official reports from weather agencies or emergency officials.

This allows CURO to understand:

• Which communities may have been affected.
• Where our policyholder concentrations align with the impacted zone.
• Whether the scale of the event may generate an increase in claims.
• When internal teams should begin preparing for higher call or claim volumes.

Although this comparison is done manually today, it has significantly improved our ability to evaluate the situation early and prepare internal operations accordingly. It replaces a more reactive model with one that gives our team a clearer sense of potential impact and the steps we may need to take next.

Looking ahead, CURO is evaluating opportunities to enhance this approach by incorporating live weather information alongside policyholder location data. While still in early stages, this concept could further support exposure assessment, outreach planning, and operational preparedness during large scale weather events.

Supporting Policyholders After the Event

Once a storm has passed and policyholders begin reaching out, the mapping tool continues to support CURO’s response. By understanding which areas were affected, teams can allocate resources more effectively, anticipate the types of claims that may arise and connect quickly with vendors or contractors who may be needed.

This approach helps CURO respond in a more organized and efficient manner, ensuring that policyholders receive timely assistance during moments that can be overwhelming or confusing.

Why This Work Matters for OTIP and Orbit Policyholders

Policyholders rely on CURO for support that is both technically strong and personally grounded. When the weather creates uncertainty or risk, policyholders want reassurance that someone is aware of what is happening in their community and ready to help.

By using Applied data in smarter ways, CURO is able to:

• Strengthen policyholder trust.
• Reduce preventable losses.
• Improve internal readiness.
• Respond with confidence and accuracy.
• Provide more personalized communication.

This work reflects CURO’s commitment to a claims experience that is supportive, responsive and built around the needs of OTIP and Orbit policyholders.

Looking Ahead

CURO is continuing to build on this foundation. Integrating live weather feeds into our mapping will give our team even stronger tools to see events developing in real time and prepare accordingly. We are also exploring ways to enhance policyholder communication, refine exposure modeling and improve early assessment capabilities.

As weather patterns continue to evolve, this work will play an even more important role in how we support policyholders and help communities recover.

CURO’s purpose remains clear: keep policyholders safe, reduce loss severity where possible and guide them through recovery with compassion and confidence. By combining Applied data with mapping tools and continuing to evolve our capabilities, we are taking meaningful steps toward delivering the best possible claims experience during catastrophic events.