Keyword
Ratings/Research
Evolving Geo-Risk Research
October 1, 2014 by Canadian UnderwriterClimate change and new severe-weather patterns pose challenges for insurers, reinsurers and society itself. The need to understand and respond to the risks ahead places increasing importance on the evolving discipline of geo-risk research.
Marketplace
October 1, 2014 by Canadian UnderwriterREGULATION Revised minimum capital test takes effect in 2015 The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) has released a revised Minimum Capital Test Guideline for property and casualty insurers that takes effect January 1, 2015. “The new risk-based…
Road infrastructure, mass transit ‘widely cited’ concerns among Toronto financial executives surveyed: Conference Board
September 10, 2014 by Canadian UnderwriterSome financial industry executives responding to a recent survey cited road infrastructure, mass transit links and timely health services as areas of concern in Toronto, the Conference Board of Canada suggested in a recent report, titled Growing Financial Services Headquarters…
Commercial insurance prices in U.S. rise 3% in 2014 Q2: Towers Watson
September 10, 2014 by Canadian UnderwriterCommercial insurance prices in the United States rose 3% in aggregate during 2014 Q2, confirming the moderation in price increases that began last year, note findings in Towers Watson’s latest Commercial Lines Insurance Pricing Survey (CLIPS). Survey results issued this…
Global reinsurers report combined ratio of 90.3% for first half of 2014: Aon Benfield
September 8, 2014 by Canadian UnderwriterAon Benfield released Monday financial data for its aggregate of 31 global reinsurers, reporting the combined ratio was 90.3% in the first half of 2014, up 0.4 points from the first six months of 2013, while gross written premiums were…
Perception vs Reality
September 1, 2014 Andrew Lo, Chief Marketing Officer, Kanetix.caThe results of a recent survey suggest that providers of usage-based auto insurance need to educate clients about how the data insurers collect on driving behaviour is used, how this information will affect their rates and how telematics can improve safety while reducing claims frequency.
Global reinsurers’ mid-year 2014 underwriting results profitable, but pressured: Fitch
August 27, 2014 by Canadian UnderwriterGlobal reinsurers underwriting results were profitable for the first half of 2014 despite deterioration as a result of increased non-cat property losses and a higher underlying run-rate loss ratio, notes a new report issued Tuesday by Fitch Ratings. The group…
A.M. Best revises reinsurance outlook to negative, citing ongoing market challenges
August 19, 2014 by Canadian UnderwriterRating agency A.M. Best Co. has revised its outlook for the reinsurance sector to negative, the firm said in a briefing issued Tuesday. Ongoing market challenges in the sector are resulting in potential negative rating pressure, although the firm isn’t…
Increased competition, capacity putting pressure on global reinsurers: S&P
August 15, 2014 by Canadian UnderwriterIncreased competition and third-party capital, along with declining premiums, is putting pressure on global insurer’s and could affect their ratings, but many companies are working to mitigate those effects on their business, Standard & Poors says. Competition in the sector…
M&A activity for P&C, reinsurance focuses on global diversification
August 5, 2014 by Canadian UnderwriterMuch of the mergers and acquisitions activity in the property/casualty and reinsurance industries during the first half of 2014 was driven by consolidation or companies attempting to enter new markets such as Asia and Latin America, notes a new report…
Risk and Opportunity
August 1, 2014 Paul Cleveland,Vice President, Insurance Advisory Services, KPMGA recent KPMG survey on risks and opportunities in the Canadian insurance sector shows both some familiar patterns and some surprises. Management of both, however, is necessary to ensure the insurance industry evolves as rapidly as the risk environment it faces.
Of Interest
August 1, 2014 Kulli Tamm, Senior Economist, Swiss ReInterest rates in Canada have been at historic lows for five years, and an increase could lead to both falling asset values and rising claims costs.