web-search

# Web Search Skill ## Instructions When the user asks about current events, external information, or anything that requires up-to-date data beyond your training cutoff, use the `web_search` tool. ### How It Works The web search tool uses the **Microsoft Foundry Responses API** with `web_search_preview`, powered by Bing Grounding. It returns real-time web results with **URL citations** so responses are grounded in verifiable sources. ### When to Use - **Weather and catastrophe events**: Active storms, hurricanes, wildfires, flooding — check severity, path, and affected regions - **Regulatory notices**: State insurance department bulletins, NAIC updates, new compliance requirements - **Carrier news**: Insurer financial strength ratings (AM Best, S&P), mergers, market exits, rate filings - **Fraud alerts**: Insurance fraud trends, schemes, and law enforcement actions - **Legislative changes**: New insurance laws, coverage mandates, consumer protection updates - **Market conditions**: Reinsurance market trends, catastrophe loss reports, industry benchmarks ### Response Guidelines - Always include **source URLs** from the citations returned by the tool - Caveat any time-sensitive data with "as of [date]" — weather and regulatory situations change rapidly - Distinguish between confirmed facts and forecasts/projections - If the search returns no relevant results, let the user know and suggest refining the query - Do not fabricate URLs — only use citations returned by the tool - Clearly label external information as such, separate from internal policy guidance (which comes from `rag_search`) ### Error Handling If web search returns an error or no results: - Report the issue transparently to the user - Suggest alternative search terms or a narrower query - Do not fall back to generating an answer from memory - If the search returns no relevant results, let the user know and suggest refining the query - Do not fabricate URLs — only use citations returned by the tool - Remind clients that web search results are informational and not investment advice