With many Jamaicans still navigating the harsh realities of life after Hurricane Melissa, conversations now abound about how the country looks beyond recovery to long-term resilience in the face of intensifying climate shocks.

These conversations are reshaping how the nation thinks about risk, protection, and preparedness as increasingly severe weather events in recent years have pushed these issues from the margins into the centre of national discourse.

Contributing to this conversation is William Craig, the executive chairman and chief executive officer of BCMG Insurance Brokers, who points out that the speed and unity of the national response, especially at the community level, reflect Jamaica’s strength in crisis.

“Even in communities that were hardest hit, you saw people clearing roads, sharing food and checking on neighbours long before formal assistance arrived. That instinctive unity, our ability to move as a community even when exhausted or afraid, is one of Jamaica’s greatest resilience assets,” he said

While reflecting on the impact of the Category 5 storm that made landfall in Jamaica on October 28, 2025, Craig highlighted that it exposed critical vulnerabilities. Infrastructure in several areas proved ill-equipped for the increasing intensity of weather systems. Meanwhile, financial fragility among households slowed recovery, and underinsurance left many unable to rebuild rapidly.

“Too many people had policies that didn’t reflect the true replacement value of their assets,” Craig noted, adding that this gap often turned recovery into a prolonged and stressful process.

Yet these challenges present an opportunity for a mindset shift: preparedness should no longer viewed as optional. “Risk awareness has moved from the background into everyday decision-making,” Craig stated, adding: “Protection is no longer optional; it is foundational to survival and stability.”

Homeowners are now actively considering structural safety and emergency planning, while businesses are reassessing continuity, data protection, and employee welfare. Insurance has played a critically enabling role in this shift as property coverage has allowed families to repair homes, while business interruption insurance has helped organisations to continue paying staff during recovery.

At the same, Craig explained, life and health insurance have protected households from compounding financial shocks. “When used correctly, insurance doesn’t replace resilience; it amplifies it,” the BCMG executive chairman asserted.

He, however, concedes that educating the citizenry about the benefits of insurance is essential to change their perceptions, since many still view insurance as a cost rather than an investment.

“We shift that perception through education, transparency and by showing real-world impact. When people see neighbours rebuild quickly because they were properly covered, the conversation changes,” he explained.

Craig added that demystifying insurance and making it more accessible is critical to embedding it within Jamaica’s broader resilience framework. Looking ahead, Craig believes Jamaica must adopt a coordinated, long-term approach. “We need stronger infrastructure standards, community-based risk planning, financial preparedness and better use of technology in early-warning systems,” he said, adding: “We must move from reacting to disasters to anticipating them.”

With the new year having begun, Craig noted the past holiday season would have had a different meaning for those still rebuilding. “For many families, it’s not about gifts, it’s about gratitude, strength and the ability to begin again. Jamaica has always risen by lifting each other,” Craig reflected.

Looking ahead, the BCMG Insurance Brokers CEO said the company intends to continue leading with expertise and empathy, supporting families and businesses as they build resilience.

He concluded, “Jamaica’s future will demand preparedness at a higher level, and we intend to be at the forefront, helping to create a safer, more future-ready nation.”