ZestyAI Models Approved to Transform Storm Risk Analysis in Minnesota

ZestyAI, the leading provider of AI-powered property and risk analytics, today announced that its Severe Convective Storm suite, including Z-HAIL™, Z-WIND™, and Z-STORM™, has received regulatory approval from the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

This milestone supports Minnesota insurers in improving storm risk assessment, enhancing underwriting precision, and supporting proactive risk management strategies.

Minnesota has seen significant losses from severe convective storms. According to data from NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), the state experienced three billion-dollar weather events in 2024 alone, with hail and wind causing extensive damage. A July storm in the Twin Cities resulted in more than $1.8 billion in insured losses, highlighting the need for innovative solutions to manage storm-related risks.

ZestyAI’s Severe Convective Storm suite delivers property-specific risk insights by combining climatology analysis with granular property data. Built on extensive loss data and validated by regulatory authorities, the suite equips insurers to assess and address storm risks with a higher level of accuracy and confidence. Key features include:

• Z-HAIL: Evaluates each roof’s unique characteristics, including accumulated damage, to predict which properties are likely to file a claim, even in the same neighborhood.
• Z-WIND: Uses AI-generated 3D analysis revealing pivotal insights about roof condition, complexity, and potential points of failure.
• Z-STORM: Predicts the frequency and severity of storm damage claims, examining the interaction between climatology and the unique characteristics of every structure and roof
  These models allow insurers to move beyond reactive damage assessments, helping them identify high-risk properties, allocate resources effectively, and support policyholders in reducing risks.

Bryan Rehor, Director of Regulatory Affairs at ZestyAI said:

“Minnesota’s exposure to hail and wind damage underscores the importance of property-specific insights. With this approval, insurers can access validated models to deliver precise underwriting and rating decisions and encourage risk-reduction measures among policyholders.”

This approval builds on a series of regulatory endorsements in key wind and hail-prone states across the Great Plains, Midwest, and U.S. South, including Texas, Colorado, Indiana, Missouri, and Iowa, among others.