Hurricane risk: What the future holds for Canada
September 23, 2022 by Jason ContantCanada will be increasingly at risk for more frequent and severe hurricanes going forward due to climate change, Swiss Re told Canadian Underwriter in an interview Friday. “Sea surface temperatures [are] rising, which means storms will be able to travel…
Parametric insurance: a solution for businesses of any size?
March 4, 2022 by Alyssa DiSabatinoNatural catastrophes can affect businesses of any size, and parametric insurance can provide solutions for small accounts, too — not just large ones, panellists said at a Canadian Underwriter webinar on Wednesday. Parametric insurance is a type of index-based insurance…
These socioeconomic factors are driving up property claims
December 7, 2021 by Greg MeckbachUrbanization, the increasing popularity of solar panels and a greater awareness of what is covered insurance are among the factors driving an escalation of insured property losses, a speaker suggested at last week’s CatIQ Connect conference. “Urbanization means that we…
Can we blame climate change for B.C. ‘atmospheric river?’
December 2, 2021 by Greg MeckbachWe can’t say for sure that climate change has caused the heavy rainfall and severe floods and landslides currently affecting British Columbia, but global warming is making disasters like this more likely, a Swiss Re speaker suggested Thursday. “Warmer air…
Swiss Re predicts record-high global insurance premiums by end of 2022
August 6, 2021 Canadian Underwriter StaffAs the world economy steadily recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, Swiss Re forecasts that global insurance premiums will reach a never-before-seen U.S.$7 trillion by the end of 2022. According to the global reinsurer’s recent World Insurance Sigma report, the pandemic…
Why Canada could be in the path of stronger hurricanes in the future
June 7, 2021 by Jason ContantCanada could see heightened hurricane risk in the future, as climate change and fluctuations in ocean temperature are increasing the likelihood of stronger hurricanes making landfall further north, according to Swiss Re. “We see an increased likelihood of intense hurricanes…
What insurers aren’t passing on to their clients
March 9, 2021 by Adam MalikCanadian consumers are still foggy about the purpose and content of their home, auto and business insurance, and the onus is on the industry to help them understand, a pair of industry executives said during a recent webinar. Discussions with…
Lessons learned from ‘the toughest Cat season’
March 2, 2021 by Adam MalikThe COVID-19 pandemic made it difficult at times for insurers to work through natural catastrophes, said a Wawanesa executive during a recent web conference. But they’ve learned a few lessons because of it. As Cats stormed through Alberta to the…
Swiss Re’s new head of P&C client markets in Canada
November 16, 2020 by David GambrillAgis Kitsikis has been appointed as Swiss Re’s new head of P&C client markets for Canada and the English Caribbean, effective immediately. He succeeds Stefan Behr, who recently accepted the position as Swiss Re’s head of business development for Europe,…
Watch for governments to transfer financial risk from natural disasters to insurers: Swiss Re
October 16, 2020 by Greg MeckbachThere is growing awareness that governments can transfer the financial risk of natural disasters to both insurance and capital markets, a Swiss Re expert observes. In Asia, Africa, the United States and Britain, there are examples of national and sub-national…
How this reinsurer views property risk in Fort McMurray
May 4, 2020 by Greg MeckbachSome properties affected by the current flooding in Fort McMurray, Alberta, were also affected by the massive wildfire in 2016 but despite the multiple tragedies, the properties are still considered insurable. “Property in the town of Fort McMurray, Alberta is…
How the P&C industry can help move the needle on building a climate-resilient society
February 14, 2020 by Adam MalikThe clock is ticking on taking action when it comes to creating more climate-resilient homes, neighbourhoods and cities, a panel warned at a recent conference. When asked by moderator Glenn McGillivray, managing director of the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction,…