Check out the 2024 Winter Weather Bulletin for important winter weather risk management reminders.

Learn more about designing chapter houses with adaptability in mind in this webinar with our partners at Luminaut.

Our team at MJ Sorority is always looking for ways to help clients manage risk. We continually identify and vet business partners that we believe will add value to your chapter house and simplify its operations.

Since the beginning of time, the biggest risk to your property is water related incidents. In the Sorority Program, water related claims make up 56% of the total property claims. These claims range from water seepage, internal pipes bursting, equipment breaking down (water heaters, ice machines), to sprinkler leakage incidents. We also see water claims ranked in the top five most frequent and most severe incidents.

The one phenomenon that has changed recently is the change in the weather pattern, specifically the increase in freezing claims of regular piping, as well as the automatic sprinkler system. In the last three years alone, we have seen a substantial increase in frozen pipes claims.

What we have learned from many of these claims is that in many situations freeze incidents are preventable. Unlike so many other changes in the weather pattern, the weather reports generally forecast an impending freeze, giving property owners advance notice to make the necessary arrangements to eliminate or minimize a claim.

One of the strengths of MJ Sorority in our risk analysis is the ability to uncover emerging vendor solutions to help our clients in their property risk management. In this pursuit, we uncovered a great tool to help property owners stay ahead of any of their sprinkler pipes freezing.

We are excited to partner with Salamander to share their freeze detection technology, which will help prevent future claims at your chapter house. Your participation in this webinar is crucial to ensure the safety and well-being of your chapter house.

Watch the recording.

Ensuring the safety and security of the chapter house is obviously a top priority. The chapter house is not just a residence; it is a home where members build lifelong bonds, create cherished memories, and engage in activities that shape their futures. Given its significance, implementing robust security measures is essential to protect both the physical space and the well-being of its residents. One of the most advanced and effective security solutions available today is biometric entry systems.

Biometric entry systems utilize unique biological traits, such as fingerprints, facial recognition, or iris scans, to grant access. Unlike traditional locks and keys or even electronic keycards, biometric systems offer several distinct advantages that make them particularly well-suited for sorority chapter houses.

If your chapter house utilizes a biometric security system, it is prudent to provide annual written notice to all individuals whose biometric information identifiers are collected or stored and specify the purpose of the collection and length of time the information identifiers will be held, stored, and used. Written consent and release of this information should be included in an annual housing agreement. Read more about our suggestions for Housing Agreements here.

Investing in a biometric entry system for the sorority chapter house is a forward-thinking decision that prioritizes the safety and well-being of your members. By leveraging advanced technology, the chapter can provide a secure, convenient, and efficient environment that supports the flourishing of its community. In a world where security concerns are ever-present, adopting biometric entry systems reflects a commitment to excellence and proactive care for all members of the sorority.

Join our business partner and security expert, Johnson Controls, to learn more about smart security strategies for your chapter house. Watch recording.

As weather patterns continue to evolve, it is crucial for housing corporations to update their chapter house roofs to withstand the increasing intensity of wind and hail events. Convective storms in particular are a major cause for concern. Convective storms are extremely severe storms with defining characteristics of high winds, sudden temperature changes, and severe thunder and lightning.  

In light of these more severe weather conditions across the country, carriers are isolating geographic areas at greater risk to weather perils and are requiring additional measures be taken to update roofs. It is imperative to consider retrofitting affected chapter house roofs to mitigate risk.

Also at issue are state building codes. Many states have not updated their building codes to prepare for more severe weather, leaving existing and new structures vulnerable to sever weather damage. Building codes set the minimum standards for construction, however these standards may not always align with insurance requirements, leaving sorority houses vulnerable to potential coverage gaps. Furthermore, in many states and municipalities, building codes are not adequately enforced.

It is crucial for chapter houses in areas with inferior building codes to exceed minimum building code specifications to meet insurance expectations. This reduces the risk of roof damage and associated expenses if a convective storm hits a property. Housing corporations should be particularly wary of properties in the west and mid-west, where predictive modeling has determined a sharp increase in the frequency and severity of wind and hailstorms. Fortunately, universities are rarely near coastal areas, so that minimizes some of the increased risk of severe hurricanes.

MJ Sorority has consulted extensively with industry experts to create a list of recommendations for your chapters as they consider updating or replacing their chapter house roofs. At a minimum, we recommend that all of your chapter houses do an intake on the age and condition of their roof, which many roofing companies will do free of charge!

When it comes to fortifying your existing roof or installing a new one, MJ Sorority recommends the following:

Given the heightened risk of volatile weather, it is imperative that organizations do an intake and analysis of the health of chapter house roofs. Taking proactive measures to update and fortify roofs and bridging the gap between building codes and insurance requirements can mitigate the risk of roof damage and will maintain the safety and longevity of your properties. Prioritizing the fortification via the recommendations above will not only enhance the overall structural integrity of the properties in question but will also undoubtably contribute to the long-term sustainability of these important spaces for members.

Further Reading:

The past year saw a surge in severe convective storms, particularly hailstorms, causing billions in insured losses across the US. This trend is likely to continue in 2024 and beyond, impacting insurance premiums and available coverages, especially for properties like sorority chapter houses.

The graphic above shows the increase in the number of hail storms and the severity of the damage associated with them over the last twenty years. To zoom in and read the entire report, which we found very informative, click here.

These storms, packing powerful winds, hail, and heavy rain, pose a significant threat. In 2024 and beyond, the risk of severe convective storms looms large, driven by a combination of factors such as warmer atmospheric temperatures, higher moisture content, and shifting wind patterns. These storms can unleash destructive winds, large hailstones, torrential rainfall, and even tornadoes, causing extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure in their path.

Sorority chapter houses, often located in areas prone to severe weather, often face heightened exposure to convective storms. Their typically large, historic structures may be more susceptible to damage from high winds and hail, leading to costly repairs or even total reconstruction. Furthermore, the social nature of sorority houses means that they are frequently occupied, putting members at risk during severe weather events. 

Insurance companies take these risks into account when setting premiums for property coverage. As the frequency and severity of convective storms increase, insurers may adjust their pricing models to reflect the heightened risk. Other options for insurers in this new environment include: stricter requirements for risk mitigation measures, such as installing impact-resistant roofing materials or reinforcing windows and doors against high winds. 

In response to these challenges, sorority chapters must prioritize proactive risk management strategies. These strategies include the following recommendations and resources:

By staying informed and taking proactive steps, sorority houses can weather the storm – both literally and figuratively.

The MJ Sorority Insurance Program is designed to provide comprehensive coverage to owned property that is currently housing chapter members. Any leased properties must be assessed on a case by case basis to determine coverage eligibility. 

Our current policies presume third party tenants have their own property insurance coverage, which should be recorded in conjunction with the executed lease agreement.  

To assess continued coverage eligibility under the your insurance policy, MJ Sorority needs to have a copy of the current lease agreement attached to the property in question. Reviewing your lease agreement will provide us with the necessary information to determine continued eligibility under the current insurance program. 

In addition to a copy of the Lease Agreement, we will need to determine if the following risk management guidelines are in place: 

Tenant is a single sex organization: ___ Yes ___ No 

Adult employee/supervisor is living on the premises: ___ Yes ___ No 

Open Flames are prohibited ___ Yes ___ No 

Alcohol is prohibited ___ Yes ___ No 

Property Manager hired to oversee property ___ Yes ___ No 

Also, please provide the following information: 

If you have a leased property, please provide your Client Executive with the information requested above.

Water damage poses a significant threat to sorority chapter houses, often resulting in costly repairs, business interruptions, and reputation damage. In this resource, we share tips and strategies to effectively prevent water damage and safeguard the integrity of sorority chapter houses. For a shorter, visual resource, click here.

Domestic plumbing is the primary culprit of water damage. Most claims involve leaking pipes caused by corrosion, pipe burst, or failure. Failure to prevent and control corrosion is the root cause. Unfortunately, most corrosion is internal and is not easily identified. Galvanic corrosion is one of the most common types of corrosion.