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Distance to Coast

Precise Analysis, New Opportunities

MSB’s coastal analysis provides precise, risk-specific data because individual property addresses are converted via a geographic information system (GIS) technology into exact latitude and longitude coordinates. The GIS system compares the location of properties to digital maps. This produces an objective analysis of a property’s straight-line distance to the mean high tide of an ocean or inter-coastal waterway (ICW). 

MSB seamlessly integrates coastal distance data with the industry-leading Residential Component Technology® (RCT) property valuation system. The MSB Express™ Web platform hosts this information, enabling you to do a complete assessment of coastal properties from within a single system.

MSB also supports batch geospatial analysis for an existing book of business, providing the results in XML format and enabling you to perform ongoing book management efficiently. 

By establishing distance to coast with objective, consistent, automated systems, you can confidently write greater numbers of insurable properties.

Trusted Data

Distance to Coast information is available for all states that border the oceans, Gulf of Mexico, and Great Lakes.

The basis of MSB’s Coastline Database comes from NAVTEQ® geographic files, the most accurate files in the industry. Additionally, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in partnership with other agencies enhance the Database’s information. 

The database identifies both minor bodies of water, such as a bay or ICW, and major bodies of water, such as oceans and the Great Lakes. Using the NOAA navigational charts, MSB also identifies the areas prone to wind-blown water. This is especially critical to the hurricane-prone states.  

MSB’s Coastline Database’s unparalleled accuracy in calculating distance to coast and its detailed annotations and water features also provide greater depth of understanding to support risk assessment and pricing.

Integrating Distance to Coast Data with Decisioning Technology

MSB’s data expertise includes the ability to link customers immediate access to coastline analysis to complete underwriting decisioning technology from MSB and its sister company MindBox®. The MSB Express platform gives you immediate access to hazard analysis and is your link to the nation’s most complete and user-friendly decisioning technology. With MSB Decisioning, you will also be able to go beyond underwriting guidelines to tier pricing and other rating variables that make hazard exposure information more than just a “go / no-go” decision.