All Features articles
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Country FocusIsrael: Eye of the storm
Israel is a relative oasis of calm in a region being torn apart by civil war and natural disaster. GR reports on the state of the nation for the reinsurance sector
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CedantsQ&A: Jeremy Brazil, Markel
The chief executive of Markel finds that thinking in terms of set risk appetites has sustained the firm’s buying strategy post-financial crisis
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ClaimsOn shaky ground
As catastrophes wreak havoc across the world, reinsurers face the all too familiar aftershock of claims handling.We examine the continuing learning curve
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Country AnalysisGermany: standing firm
Nobody would argue with Germany’s impressive show of strength through the financial crisis. But the fight isn’t over yet as interest rates drop, Solvency II steps up and Zurich emerges as a serious contender
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Country FocusGermany: Q&A with Eva-Maria Barbosa
Norton Rose’s of counsel gives the lowdown on what German reinsurers can expect from Solvency
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Lines & RisksWhen tweets go bad
Social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter are providing companies with new ways to boost their profile and connect with customers. But, as the WikiLeaks scandal proves, Web 2.0 has its risks – and that’s where (re)insurers can help
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News AgendaFor the road ahead
Just as motorists have come to rely on sat-navs to show them the best course to take, insurers depend heavily on catastrophe risk models. Such dependence can lead to disappointment
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People & OpinionIn my view: That’s so 1850s…
The reinsurance industry’s needs have changed since the 19th century, as has the technology available to it. So why are we still so technophobic?
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ClaimsMeet in the middle
A transatlantic alliance is setting out to make mediation the dominant method of cross-border dispute resolution. But is the process always the best way to stop conflicts ending up in the courts?
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CedantsKnowledge is power
Data modelling has transformed the nature of reinsurance buying, with brokers frantically engaged in an ‘analytics arms race’. Four insiders gave us their take on this rapidly evolving industry
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Country FocusJapan: Waiting for dawn
Insurers in the land of the rising sun are taking a while to recover from the financial crisis, but Japan remains the fourth largest non-life insurance market in the world, with opportunities for those who dare
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Lines & RisksThese climes, they are a-changing
Following a series of costly winter weather losses in Europe and North America, we look at whether recent cold snaps are an anomaly or part of a trend
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Lines & RisksWatch this space
The risks involved in putting a satellite into operation highlight a clear need for (re)insurance. So what does it take for reinsurers to go into orbit in this highly specialised market?
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ClaimsPeacetime settlements
Litigation may be thin on the ground, but some recent landmark cases have set new standards for future disputes in the reinsurance sector
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People & OpinionA league of their own
How does Chaucer find the confidence to remain independent while being able to weather big losses? The secrets include an investments overhaul, a sure hand with price comparison websites and a lot of positive thinking
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CedantsLove's labours
Relationships are tricky at the best of times, but when the pressure is on, it’s those with strong foundations that survive. We give you some tips on keeping the magic alive with your business allies in a tough market
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People & OpinionGraham Clarke, Miller
A calm and unassuming exterior belies the Miller chief executive’s ambitious nature. Graham Clarke talks about how he plans to take on the big brokers
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News AgendaBridging the gap
The chasm between the big three brokers and the next tier is wider than ever. With great scale comes great analytics and global reach but is that what all clients want? Or is there an opportunity for smaller players to step up with a more personal and creative service?
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Country FocusAustralia: Dipping down under
With one or two notable exceptions, rates continue to fall in the Australian insurance and reinsurance market as competitive market forces and savvy buyers dictate renewal trends
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CedantsQ&A with Wolfgang Wopperer
Allianz’s retrocession expert talks about how his success is measured, the use of alternative risk transfer mechanisms, and the greater focus on return periods, caused by Solvency II
