As Jamaica progresses through the 2025 hurricane season, the conversation around insurance has taken on a broader dimension, moving beyond property protection to include the health and security of people. For BCMG Insurance Brokers, this season calls for readiness, resilience, and reducing risk on every front, including employee benefits and international health coverage.

“Disasters don’t only damage buildings, they also impact lives and livelihoods,” says Jacinth Brown, senior employee benefits manager at BCMG Insurance Brokers. “While property insurance is crucial, having robust group health, life and international health insurance is just as vital, particularly in moments of crisis.”

With premium rates stabilised after years of global reinsurance pressure, there is a renewed focus on ensuring policies are correctly structured and reflect current realities. BCMG’s role, according to Brown, begins long before a storm forms. The company works with clients to ensure assets are properly valued, coverage is updated, and operational vulnerabilities are identified. This preparation is key to avoiding underinsurance, a common risk in a climate of rising construction and replacement costs.

When disaster strikes, BCMG doesn’t step back. “We become their advocate,” Brown explains. “We help clients compile documentation, liaise with insurers and loss adjusters, and work to get settlements moving quickly. Our clients know they’re not alone. They know that we’re with them through recovery and reassessment.”

However, it’s not just physical assets that need protection. BCMG is seeing growing interest in health and wellness benefits as an essential part of risk management. Brown stresses the importance of employers implementing group health and life insurance. “In times of crisis, employees often turn to their employers for help, especially when family support may be limited. Transferring that burden to the insurer gives peace of mind and allows employees to return to work with confidence.”

Currently, the most requested benefit packages include group health, critical illness, personal accident, and international health policies. These are often structured to minimise out-of-pocket expenses and tailored to suit the unique risk profile of each client. BCMG may recommend higher sums insured for sales teams, factory workers, or construction crews exposed to greater physical risks. International health coverage is often advised for companies with travelling staff or overseas operations.

Yet misconceptions persist, particularly among small businesses or first-time policyholders. “Some employees believe unused benefits roll over or that they can lend their health cards to relatives,” Brown says. “We address these issues through regular education sessions, especially in companies with high staff turnover.”

While climate-related events haven’t directly driven a surge in international health insurance, Brown notes that rising cases of non-communicable diseases and cancers have fuelled a general increase in demand. Products from global insurers such as Lloyd’s of London’s Morgan White Group, VIP Universal Medical Insurance (VUMI), and Pan American Life Insurance Group (PALIG) offer broad coverage, often including maternity, surgeries, hospitalisation, and air ambulance services. Some plans even extend support to family members during hospital stays.

According to Brown, the key difference between local and international health coverage is access. “International policies offer treatment in Jamaica and overseas, with fewer restrictions and no need for referrals. They provide a wider safety net, especially during travel or emergencies.”

The pandemic also brought lasting changes in how companies think about benefits. There’s been a shift towards preventative care, wellness, and mental health. BCMG has responded with wellness fairs, medical partnerships, and cost-containment strategies, such as promoting generics and NHF enrolment. Many employers are also embracing flexible work arrangements as a tool to support employee well-being.

Brown offers clear advice for employers. “Make sure your policy will work when you need it most. Look at boosting hospitalisation and major medical limits, explore international options, and consider accidental death or critical illness riders.”

As businesses face another hurricane season in an era of global uncertainty, BCMG’s client-first model, sector expertise, and comprehensive approach to insurance make one thing clear: Real resilience means protecting both assets and people.