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,…
The underrated factor pushing down the industry’s profitability
January 22, 2020 by Greg MeckbachThe impact of low interest rates on insurer profitability is something that warrants more discussion, suggests a senior executive with one of the world’s largest reinsurers. “This is something that significantly impacts the profitability of the insurance and reinsurance industry,…
Why Swiss Re says insurance profitability will remain ‘under pressure’
July 5, 2019 by Greg MeckbachExpect the low-interest-rate environment to continue for at least two more years, Swiss Re warned Thursday. “Insurers will continue to operate in a low-interest-rate environment for the next two years at least, meaning that industry profitability will remain under pressure,”…
Why insurers are not calling it a hard market
April 5, 2019 by Greg MeckbachYour clients may be paying higher rates but hard market may not be the right way to describe it, speakers suggested at a recent insurance conference. “I don’t personally know if I would call it a hard market yet. What…
Canada ‘much closer’ to national flood program: IBC
April 2, 2019 by Greg MeckbachThe industry is making progress on getting a national flood insurance program, but a key challenge is getting all provinces, territories and Ottawa to agree on how it should work, the Insurance Bureau of Canada’s CEO suggested Tuesday. Unlike Britain…