Topic
Climate Change
Risk distribution for catastrophes must change: Munich Re
April 13, 2006 by Canadian UnderwriterA recent Munich Re report says “existing mechanisms for distributing the risk between the private insurance sector, the state, and the federal government should be reconsidered” in light of the hurricane seasons of 2004 and 2005.The report, entitled ‘The 1906…
A.M. Best softens cat stress test for prepared insurers
April 11, 2006 by Canadian UnderwriterA.M. Best Co. is making modifications to its catastrophe stress test, which in some cases will require less capital for a company to support its catastrophe exposure. The ratings agency says “those companies that would be afforded additional leeway in…
P&C insurers CAT risk assessments amended
April 6, 2006 by Canadian UnderwriterStandard & Poor’s Ratings Services has revised its criteria for measuring the catastrophe risk of primary property and casualty insurance companies, according to a recent S&P’s article. The article “Property/Casualty Insurance Criteria: Primary Insurer Catastrophe Capital Charges Revised” says that…
Lloyd’s reports net US$180 million loss after hurricanes
April 6, 2006 by Canadian UnderwriterCiting net claims of 3.309 billion (US$5.79 billion) as a result of the “most severe hurricane season on record,” Lloyd’s of London reported a net loss of 103 million (US$180 million) in 2005, compared to a profit in 2004 of…
Lloyd’s in talks to insure “tourist” space flights
April 3, 2006 by Canadian UnderwriterLloyd’s is apparently in discussions to insure the first “tourist” flights into space in 2008.Virgin is proposing to launch the space flights for tourists from a site in New Mexico, and media reports have indicated that Lloyd’s are among the…
Profitability of U.S. P&C industry will decline in 2005: Fitch
March 30, 2006 by Canadian UnderwriterThe U.S. property and casualty insurance industry will report a deterioration in profitability for 2005, Fitch rating agency predicts.“While operating performance was on a record-setting pace in the first half of the year, insurers encountered unfavorable surprises in the form…
Terrorism insurance requires 9 key principles
March 30, 2006 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc. (RIMS) recently gave testimony advocating nine key principles necessary for the development of a long-term solution to terrorism. At the public hearing on terrorism insurance matters, held by the National Association of Insurance…
Should risk-sharing consider geographic exposure?
March 29, 2006 by Canadian UnderwriterIf catastrophe damage losses continue to escalate as expected, the insurance industry may have to re-evaluate its model for risk-sharing, panelists told an audience attending an Ontario Risk and Insurance Management Society meeting in Toronto.A new model may, for example,…
University of Calgary studies youth, cell phones and driving
March 29, 2006 by Canadian UnderwriterThe University of Calgary is conducting a cell phone and driving study with youth between 16 and 25 years old who have obtained their probationary driver’s license within the last year.The goal of the Driver Distraction Study, sponsored by the…
Profits deteriorate in US P&C insurance sector
March 28, 2006 by Canadian UnderwriterProfits for the US property & casualty insurance industry deteriorated in 2005 as a result of record levels of insured catastrophe losses relating to the 2005 Hurricane season, according to Fitch Ratings. The Insurance Services Office’s (ISO) Property Claims Service…
Bermuda reinsurers lose US$11.3 billion after hurricanes
March 28, 2006 by Canadian UnderwriterFollowing losses of US$11.3 billion from hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma, Bermuda’s reinsurers registered a total net loss of US$2.8 billion in 2005 compared with a profit of US$5.5 billion the previous year, according to the latest Benfield Bermuda Quarterly…
ICBC cuts optional rates to balance basic rate increase
March 27, 2006 by Canadian UnderwriterICBC is looking to keep B.C. auto rates stable by clipping its optional rates, creating an average premium reduction of $61 for more than 1 million B.C. drivers.“Although ICBC has recently proposed an increase in rates to basic insurance, in…