Global Events Observer (GEO)

Global Events Observer (GEO) is a web-based catastrophe response platform from McKenzie Intelligence Services (MIS) for insurers, reinsurers, brokers and loss adjusters. After a natural catastrophe or conflict, claims and exposure teams need to know which insured properties are damaged, often while the affected sites are still inaccessible on the ground.

GEO combines multispectral satellite imagery for pre- and post-event comparison, radar satellite imagery for flood monitoring and NASA VIIRS fire data with fixed-wing aerial, drone and vehicle-mounted ground imagery, plus feeds such as ShakeMap, river gauges, wind speed and power outages. MIS analysts with military and NATO intelligence training assess this data, supported by an AI building damage classifier that grades properties across six damage classes. An Exposure Layer is released within 24 hours of an event, followed by a Claims Layer and, after about 72 hours, building-level damage assessments. Clients can host their portfolios in GEO and receive Insights at property, policy and portfolio level, including policy terms, through the web interface, CSV downloads or a REST API.

GEO launched in 2021 with European Space Agency co-funding and had published more than 200 event reports by December 2024, covering perils including hurricanes, floods, wildfires, hail, earthquakes and civil unrest. It serves the Lloyd's market through LIMOSS, and named users include Markel International and Zurich. MIS has been part of Verisk since July 2026.