Catastrophe bonds and similarly structured insurance-linked securities (ILS) deals in 2016 propelled the market to record levels, with the approximately US$7 billion in new issuance resulting in an outstanding market size of US$26.82 billion at year-end, notes the latest edition…
Property Claim Services Canada has designated nine catastrophe events in Canada in 2016. Though most of the $4.9 billion insured loss arose from the Alberta wildfires, the data indicates hail and thunderstorms events are becoming more severe.
A.M. Best Company is holding its outlook for the global reinsurance sector at negative, citing the continued market challenges that will hinder the potential for positive rating actions over time and may eventually translate into negative rating pressures. The Best’s…
Swiss Re’s stronger focus on and investment in research and development (R&D) to identify risk pools, as well as its move to further leverage technology, seeks to meet the twin goals of facilitating enhanced client support and creating competitive advantage.…
PERILS AG’s second loss estimate for insured property loss associated with Central Italy’s earthquake in August has almost doubled from 34 million euros to 66 million euros. The third loss estimate for the quake is scheduled to be published Feb.…
The largest earthquake to hit New Zealand since 2009, registering magnitude 7.8, could contribute to insured losses amounting to US$762 million to US$3.5 billion, catastrophe modelling firm AIR Worldwide reported Thursday. The modelled estimates include insured physical damage to property…
The outlook for surety in Canada is healthy, but a number of developments are introducing increased risk that need to be taken into account and properly managed, speakers suggested during the Toronto Risk and Insurance Education Forum last week in…
Net losses on investment contributed to Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited seeing net earnings drop to US$1.3 million in 2016 Q3 compared to US$424.8 million in 2015 Q3. The results reflect “strong operating income offset by net losses on investments,” notes…
Glen Allen, Va.-based Markel Corporation reported on Tuesday consolidated net written premiums (NWP) for the nine months ending Sept. 30 of US$3.162 billion, up from US$3.023 billion in the same prior-year period. Of the consolidated NWP for the nine-month period,…
If recent history is an indicator of future outcomes, Canada looks set on a path of annual billion-dollar (or more) losses from natural catastrophes. Should reinsurers view this as the new normal? And, if so, will treatment by reinsurers both inside and outside the country change to suit this evolving reality?
The insurance industry needs to capitalize on its unique risk understanding to reduce the financial burden on governments in light of “the daunting scale of the protection gap,” Nick Frankland, CEO of EMEA operations for Guy Carpenter & Company, LLC,…
Most insurance carriers rated by A.M. Best have sufficient capital and appropriate reinsurance programs to effectively absorb Hurricane Matthew losses, notes a new briefing from the rating agency. That being the case, A.M. Best reports it does not anticipate a…