Topic
Reinsurance
How reinsurance prices could come down
June 29, 2021 by Greg MeckbachRecord-low interest rates are making insurance-linked securities attractive to some investors, and this could be good news for primary insurers. ILS includes but is not limited to catastrophe bonds, said Marcos Alvarez, Toronto-based senior vice president and head of insurance…
Why you can expect your reinsurance rates to go up on renewal
April 6, 2021 by David GambrillReinsurers in Canada’s P&C industry had a rough time negotiating through COVID last year, with the sector’s overall combined ratio skyrocketing from a profitable 92.6% in 2019 to an unprofitable 103.7% in 2020. Claims costs were a major force behind…
Pandemic distraction: Is Canada ready for the next big disaster?
March 30, 2021 by David GambrillFocused narrowly on responding to the COVID-19 global pandemic — and preparing for the next one — Canada may be losing sight of preparing for other, potentially more likely disaster scenarios, P&C insurance industry executives commented at the Swiss Re…
Advice from the U.S.: Canada needs exit strategy from national flood
March 4, 2021 by Greg MeckbachCanada needs to proceed with caution if it wants to establish a taxpayer-supported program to write flood insurance for high-risk homes, an American speaker warned the Canadian P&C industry during CatIQ Connect. “Be very careful with a federal flood insurance…
Why reinsurers are watching how UK top court defined ‘occurrence’ in business interruption dispute
March 2, 2021 by Greg MeckbachThe British Supreme Court’s interpretation of the word “occurrence,” in its recent COVID-19 business interruption ruling, should not be applied to reinsurance excess of loss treaties, Guy Carpenter experts argue in a recent paper. In a decision released on Jan.…
How Ottawa is trying to lower earthquake related property losses
December 7, 2020 by Greg MeckbachNatural Resources Canada is hoping to help insurers cut their loss costs with a yet-to-be released earthquake early warning system. The warning system could provide seconds to tens of seconds of warning before a location is affected by strong shaking,…
Mother Nature’s wrath
December 7, 2020 Derek ClouthierAlberta continues to endure the most expensive insured weather events in Canada. What’s happening and what can be done about it?
Storm System
October 15, 2020 Greg Meckbach, Associate EditorSeveral pressures on rate suggest reinsurance premiums will rise during the January 2021 renewal season. By how much? Reinsurance execs look into the crystal ball
Cat bonds starting to attract this type of investor
October 15, 2020 by Greg MeckbachCatastrophe bonds are gaining a reputation as a socially responsible investment, a CatIQ Connect speaker said Wednesday. “Investors seeking investments in the [environmental, social and governance] market are starting to classify cat bonds as a responsible investment,” said Alyson Slater,…
The tough question for insurers withdrawing coverage from coal
October 14, 2020 by Greg MeckbachThe industry’s concern over carbon emissions, and their impact on climate change, raises the question of whether nuclear energy is better for the environment. “One the one hand, nuclear [energy] is a source of carbon-free power generation. On the other…
Insurers adding pandemic exclusions in commercial policies that go beyond just BI
September 2, 2020 by Greg MeckbachMany insurers that did not start adding pandemic exclusions this past July may have to do so in January, a Winnipeg-based executive with commercial brokerage Gallagher reports. “The majority of insurers – or all insurers – are adding specific wording…
Intact’s Brindamour: Why the hard market could last for up to two more years
August 20, 2020 by Greg MeckbachA hard market in reinsurance is among three main reasons why primary insurance rates will continue to rise for brokers’ clients for at least another year or two, Intact Financial Corp. CEO Charles Brindamour suggests. In a recent virtual fireside…