Fairfax’s Odyssey Re Holdings Corp. says last year’s extreme weather, combined with Windstorm Erwin earlier this year, could produce after-tax net losses of US$26-$29 million, which will be factored into first-quarter 2005 results. The total includes a US$14-US$15 million increase…
New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer says the current investigation into AIG will likely result in a civil resolution.Spitzer’s office is currently investigating certain non-traditional insurance transactions undertaken by AIG, and the accounting for those transactions. In a statement, Spitzer…
The global catastrophe bond market grew 17% in 2004, according to a joint study released by reinsurance broker Guy Carpenter & Co. and MMC Securities Corp.Measuring total outstanding risk capital, yearend 2004 reached US$4.04 billion, compared to US$3.45 billion at…
Despite the unprecedented hurricane losses of 2004, the Bermuda market managed strong returns last year, according to the latest “Bermuda Quarterly” issued by broker Benfield Group.Analyzing results of the top Bermuda underwriters, Benfield says the group eked out a respectable…
AIG admitted Wednesday that finite reinsurance transactions dating back to 2000-2001 with Berkshire Hathaway’s Gen Re was improperly documented, and at the same time said it would be even later in filing its 10-K annual financial reports.AIG says it will…
The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) has outlined its “Plan and Priorities for 2005-2008” this week. Within the report, OSFI notes the improved performance of the primary p&c and reinsurance sectors, but adds “the p&c sector is…
In a rare move, Berkshire Hathaway has issued a statement responding to recent media stories concerning its chairman Warren Buffet. The parent company of National Indemnity and Gen Re specifically seeks to dispel reports Buffett was in the know on…
With lingering concerns over the long-term prospects for the p&c industry, rating agency A.M. Best says it will be in no rush to issue upgrades.The rating agency notes the record profitability experienced by the U.S. and Canadian industry in 2004,…
Fairfax Financial Holdings says it has gained regulatory approval to extend the maturity date of the US$100 million note payable by Fairfax to its TIG Insurance Co. by one year. The original repayment date was June 30, 2005, but has…
Overall, the January 2005 reinsurance renewal season was “much less dramatic” than might have been expected given the significant catastrophe losses seen by the industry in recent years, notes a new report by Fitch Ratings.The rating agency notes that despite…
2004 saw the lowest level of losses in the history of the global aviation industry, according to a new report by Aon’s U.K. division. While the 1990s saw an average 22 loss incidents per year, there were just 15 in…
U.S. reinsurers posted net income slightly higher for 2004 at US$3.14 billion, according to results from members of the Reinsurance Association of America (RAA). The RAA’s 26 members posted net income of US$3.08 billion in 2003.However, the slight uptick did…