Catastrophe Team (CAT Team)
A catastrophe team is a group of adjusters, typically independent adjusters, deployed by an insurance carrier to a disaster-affected area to process a high volume of claims resulting from a single weather event.
When the Storm Overwhelms the Staff
A catastrophe team, or CAT team, is a rapid-deployment group of adjusters sent to a disaster area by an insurance carrier to process the surge of claims that follows a major weather event. When a hailstorm, hurricane, tornado, or wildfire generates hundreds or thousands of claims in a single market, the carrier's local staff adjusters cannot handle the volume. CAT teams, composed primarily of independent adjusters, fill the gap by arriving within days and processing claims at scale.
For contractors, CAT events represent both the highest volume of work and the highest rate of initial underpayment.
How CAT Teams Operate
CAT adjusters travel from across the country to the affected area. They are often unfamiliar with local building codes, material preferences, and market pricing. The carrier assigns them claims in batches, and they work through inspections as quickly as possible. A CAT adjuster might inspect 8 to 15 properties per day, spending 30 to 60 minutes at each one. The carrier's priority is to get eyes on every property and issue initial payments quickly.
This speed comes at the cost of thoroughness. CAT scopes are frequently missing line items, using incorrect material specifications, or applying generic depreciation schedules. Contractors should expect to supplement most CAT-generated estimates.
Working During a CAT Event
During a CAT event, efficiency matters on your end too. Be ready for the inspection, have your documentation organized, and know what items are commonly missed in your market. After the CAT team leaves, the remaining supplement negotiations typically shift to desk adjusters. Having clean initial documentation and organized supplement requests ready to go means you are not waiting months for resolution while the claim sits in a review queue.
Frequently asked questions
CAT team deployments typically last 2 to 8 weeks depending on claim volume. After the initial deployment, remaining claims are transitioned to local staff adjusters or desk review. Some large events keep CAT teams in the field for several months.
Yes. During CAT events, carriers often streamline inspections to increase throughput. Inspections are shorter, scopes may be less detailed, and desk review handles more of the estimate evaluation. Supplement rates tend to be higher on CAT claims as a result.
No credit card required