Risk managers can assess their COVID-19 property exposure in real-time using a new tool from Willis Towers Watson (WTW) to help clients prepare for the “significant economic impact” of the pandemic.

The new risk and analytics feature is part of WTW’s Global Peril Diagnostic modelling tool. It provides up-to-date information for confirmed global COVID-19 cases alongside clients’ property total insured values, by location.

The feature allows clients to easily track the pandemic’s development set against their property assets around the world, WTW says.

“As our property and casualty clients evaluate their economic losses triggered by COVID-19, this new feature will help them better understand their business interruption or workers’ compensation risks and exposures as they specifically relate to this pandemic,” Head of Risk Advisory Australasia Matthew Frost said.

He says this will improve business-continuity decision-making.

The data is maintained by Johns Hopkins University in the US using data from Australia, China, the US and Canada at province/state levels, and from other countries by the capital or other central point.

The Global Peril Diagnostic tool evaluates clients’ property portfolios and assesses their exposure to 12 natural perils. The technology can also chart an employer’s headcount or payroll by office location.