EPISODE · Nov 29, 2025 · 1H 17M
Jamaica's $24 Billion Hurricane Payout: How The Catastrophe Bond Actually Works
from Limitless
Nine millibars. That's how close Jamaica came to getting a $150 million payout from Hurricane Beryl. Instead, we waited. Then Hurricane Melissa slammed into Jamaica with 892 millibar pressure, the joint strongest hurricane on record in 90 years, and triggered the catastrophe bond. Dr. Matthew Preston and Dr. Thaon Simms sit down with economist Keenan Falconer to break down Jamaica's disaster financing framework, how the $24 billion payout actually works, and why this insurance just saved the country from fiscal catastrophe. From multi-layered risk financing to which sectors will bounce back fastest, this is the economic reality check every Jamaican investor needs to hear.Chapters:00:00 Introduction: Nine Millibars from Disaster00:35 Meet Keenan Falconer: From School Challenge Quiz to Economic Policy03:07 The Discipline Behind Success: Work Ethic and Productivity09:23 Pomodoro Techniques and Task Completion Philosophy12:09 School Challenge Quiz Glory: The 2013 Championship Story16:03 Current Role in Jamaica's Private Sector17:23 Hurricane Melissa: The Catastrophe Bond Explained22:27 What Makes the Cat Bond Different from Regular Insurance25:11 How Parametric Insurance Actually Works28:20 The Multi-Layered Disaster Financing Framework32:37 Relief, Recovery, and Reconstruction: Three Phases Explained37:09 Why Inflation Will Rise and Interest Rates May Follow42:58 Renewing the Cat Bond: What Happens Next48:10 Better to Have Insurance and Not Need It50:15 What If Beryl Had Triggered the Bond?52:20 The Fiscal Impact Without Insurance Coverage57:20 Which Sectors Will Recover Fastest1:02:32 Message to International Investors: Why Jamaica Still Makes Sense1:05:08 Building Back Better: Resilient Infrastructure for 20501:10:30 Investment Approach: Loss Minimizing Over Profit Maximizing1:13:15 Positive Outlook: Jamaica's Resilience Through Crisis🎧 Listen to more episodes: https://limitlesspodcast.buzzsprout.com🐥 Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Limitless_pod📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/limitless_pod/💲 Get exclusive insights: https://bit.ly/Limitless-MMJA-Discount💝 Support the podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1971039/support📧 Email us: [email protected]👍 If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share with someone who needs to understand Jamaica's economic recovery!❓ Which sector do you think will recover fastest from Hurricane Melissa? Drop your predictions in the comments below!⚠️ Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the hosts and do not constitute financial advice. We may own shares in any of the companies discussed on this podcast. Please consult a financial advisor before making any investment decisionsSend us Fan MailSupport the show
What this episode covers
Nine millibars. That's how close Jamaica came to getting a $150 million payout from Hurricane Beryl. Instead, we waited. Then Hurricane Melissa slammed into Jamaica with 892 millibar pressure, the joint strongest hurricane on record in 90 years, and triggered the catastrophe bond. Dr. Matthew Preston and Dr. Thaon Simms sit down with economist Keenan Falconer to break down Jamaica's disaster financing framework, how the $24 billion payout actually works, and why this insurance just saved the ...
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Jamaica's $24 Billion Hurricane Payout: How The Catastrophe Bond Actually Works
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