When a significant event occurs, MIS follows a structured response procedure — from initial monitoring through to post-event review. Understanding this timeline helps you know what to expect on GEO and when to expect it.

[SCREENSHOT: MIS response timeline]

MIS monitors natural catastrophes and man-made events around the world, every day including weekends. The team runs a daily 09:10 trigger meeting to assess which events have crossed MIS response thresholds — based on factors like event footprint, insured exposure, and client interest.

Events that don't yet meet response thresholds appear as monitoring events on GEO (grey icons). If an event escalates, MIS moves it to a full response and begins publishing layers.

These are typical timings. Actual publication depends on data availability, event complexity, and whether imagery can be collected. MIS will note delays or constraints in the event text report on GEO.

For named storms, MIS begins publishing layers before landfall. These help you assess potential exposure ahead of the event:

Alongside these map layers, MIS runs early Pre-Event Exposure processing that matches your portfolio's locations and policies against the forecast, so you can see which parts of your book may fall within the impact area before landfall. The latest available exposure data can be downloaded from the Outlook Downloads panel on the Summary tab, labelled with the portfolio, peril, and data cut it reflects.

These layers and outlooks update as the forecast changes. See [Pre-Event Layers & Outlook] for full details.

[SCREENSHOT: Pre-Event wind quickview for Hurricane Milton]

The Exposure Layer is MIS's first assessment of the event footprint. It defines the area affected and gives an initial indication of severity. For most perils, MIS publishes the Exposure Layer within 24 hours of an event meeting response thresholds.

The Exposure Layer is not a claims estimate — it defines where the event reached, not what damage occurred. See [Understanding GEO Layers] for grid sizes by peril.

[SCREENSHOT: Wind Exposure Layer quickview for Hurricane Milton]
​

Once field data, satellite imagery, and other sources are available, MIS publishes the Claims Layer. This is a more detailed assessment of confirmed damage within the event footprint.

For smaller, well-defined events (tornadoes, wildfires), the first Claims Layer iteration may already be at Building Level Assessment (BLA) resolution — 200m cells assessing individual properties.

For larger events, MIS publishes a 1km Claims grid first, then refines to BLA in the highest-priority areas as more data becomes available.

First imagery is typically published in this window, though it depends on satellite passes, airspace access, and weather conditions.

[SCREENSHOT: Wind Claims Layer quickview for Hurricane Milton]

For large or complex events, MIS continues updating the event picture as new relevant data arrives. Each update results in a new revision so you can see exactly which version you're working with.

To see what's changed between two revisions without comparing reports manually, check the Impact Summary on the Summary tab — it highlights the movement in Damage Adjusted Estimate, exposure, and coverage since the previous iteration. See [Impact Summary].

Imagery continues to be collected until clear, high-resolution coverage is available. MIS publishes the quickest available imagery first (which may include some cloud or smoke) and the clearest imagery as it becomes available.

[SCREENSHOT: Release Schedule for Hurricane Milton found in the text reports]

For severe or fast-evolving events — particularly major conflicts and other high-profile situations — MIS supplements the standard layers with periodic Event Briefings. These are webinar updates available alongside the event's report, and typically cover:

Event Briefings are produced at MIS's discretion for events judged to be severe or significant enough to warrant a dedicated update — not for every event on GEO.

Once an event is considered resolved, MIS completes an internal review. Layers remain on GEO permanently — you can access them at any time through the Historic Events Archive.

If you need a bespoke investigation — for example, a detailed assessment of specific locations, or a comparison of MIS assessments against your claims data once received — contact [email protected].

How do I know when a new layer has been published?
GEO sends an email notification when an event is updated, if you've opted in to continual updates for that peril type. You can also check the event report directly — the As At Date on each layer shows when it was last updated. See [Email Notifications] to configure your preferences.

What if MIS doesn't reach response thresholds for an event I care about?
Events below the threshold appear as monitoring events on GEO. You can click Register Interest on a monitoring event to signal to MIS that you want a full response. If an event doesn't appear on GEO at all, use Request Event from the GEO homepage.

Can MIS respond to events that aren't natural catastrophes?
Yes. MIS responds to man-made events including conflicts, industrial accidents, and civil unrest. The timeline and layers available vary — see [Understanding GEO Layers] for details by peril type.

Are historic events available with their original layers intact?
Yes. All published layers are preserved with their original As At Date timestamps. See [Historic Events Archive].

Will I get an Event Briefing for every event?
No. Event Briefings are produced for severe or particularly significant events, at MIS's discretion — not for every event on GEO. You will receive an email to sign up.