Pace of technology innovation must be maintained

Insurance Times’ Tech and Innovation Awards showcased the great variety of digital solutions supporting the insurance sector

Briefing: ‘Radical fresh thinking’ is required to tackle ‘connected’ risks and protection gaps

The Covid-19 pandemic has shone a - sometimes uncomfortable – spotlight on the insurance industry.

Briefing: Will ADS safety rating put brakes on government’s automated driving push?

Industry commentators still have questions around the safety of technology such as ALKS, however the UK government is eager to have automated driving on Britain’s roads this year

Briefing: Pandemic predators - private equity dominance sparks concerns

Private equity is seen by some as predators of the pandemic, buying UK firms cheaply. Is it time for reform?

Briefing: Covid costs now hitting reinsurance bottom line

Covid-19, Solvency II and ESG factors will all be influencing global multiline insurers’ balance sheets, says S&P Global Ratings

Briefing: Aon-WTW merger still hitting snags amid broader consolidation landscape

Aon still has its work cut out for it if it wants to complete its purchase of Willis Towers Watson and mitigate market competition worries – however, will competition concerns increase across the piece as a result of the recent consolidation uptick?

Briefing: Fair value ‘fault line’ underpins FCA’s GI pricing proposals

The FCA may have ‘unleashed the concept’ around fair value, but now firms have to interpret this and embed it within their business practices, which isn’t an overnight job

Briefing: What exactly is Aviva’s activist investor Cevian up to?

An activist investor is stepping up pressure. But does it have anything new to offer?

Briefing: Amid senior exits at Aviva UKGI, what’s really going on?

Aviva has had a hat-trick of senior exits. What is going on?

Briefing: Henderson-Aon deal shows consequences of consolidation

Joe Henderson’s new broker is a direct rival to Aon - and there are consequences

A smarter approach to business travel

How can businesses balance the bottom line with environmental responsibility when planning their post pandemic business travel?

Briefing: We are all now worried about the FCA

Brokers are losing faith in the FCA amid rising fees and levies against a backdrop of carrier failures

Briefing: Intact is excellent, but faces big challenge with RSA buy

RSA’s new owner Intact will need to woo brokers

Briefing: Risk registers need a revamp to be ready for a working world post-Covid-19

Insurance needs to play a bigger role in responding to risk flexibly moving forward

Insurance systems are like a costly pre-Covid lease you can’t get out of - Stubben Edge

Chris Kenning, chief executive of Stubben Edge, on how to avoid getting locked into legacy systems that prevent an insurance business from meeting the demands of the modern market

Briefing: Bitcoin … rat poison squared or exciting for insurance?

Bitcoin has enjoyed huge returns, making many rich. But can insurance help in this daring new world of cyrptocurrencies

Briefing: ComparetheMarket shows how weak insurers are versus intermediaries

ComparetheMarket’s abuse of power is remarkable. Distribution’s grip on insurers continues to grow. Can it be stopped?

‘The biggest risk for insurers is reputation’ says Aviva’s Blanc

The insurer boss adds that the industry’s reputational damage arising from the business interruption test case has left her feeling ‘very sad’ and that the industry needs to ‘not shoot ourselves in the foot as much as we do’

Insurer, MGA, broker or insurtech - how could Amazon enter insurance?

Amazon’s investment in Indian insurtech Acko has raised questions on how deep the tech giant plans to get into insurance

Nearly 70% of UAE drivers clueless about even basic motor insurance terms, says AXA survey

UAE drivers may know everything about their cars and car brands, but when it comes to motor insurance, the ride turns a lot less smooth.

Briefing: Five important ways revenue-hit aggregators could react to FCA price crackdown

Aggregators are likely to take a revenue hit from FCA reforms. Here are five ways they could react and its impact on insurers and brokers.

Briefing: Why FCA-hit aggregators will likely squeeze insurers harder

Tensions between insurers and aggregators will likely increase amid the FCA pricing crackdown

Briefing: Covid-19 is making things complicated for personal lines insurers

Consumers are craving simple products in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, but at the same time they want products that are adjustable and tailored to their needs. This means insurers need to find the right balance when designing their products, but that is easier said than done By insight ...

Firms must build more resilient workforces

COVID-19 has created a new urgency to protect working people, with compulsory unemployment insurance a much-needed safety net - research

Zurich-Oxford report: New social contract needed to make workforce more resilient as COVID-19 accelerates change

The outbreak of COVID-19 has created a new urgency to address issues affecting working people worldwide, including the digitalisation of the economy, the need for continuous education, and the fragility of many national social protection systems.

FCA test case is a ‘complex judgment’ that will take time to understand

Insurers have supported the High Court process over the past few months, which saw the claimant – the FCA - seek clarity for customers who have made  business interruption claims related to Covid-19. The verdict was published yesterday.

2020 insolvencies jump amid COVID-led recession

Global corporate insolvencies are forecast to increase by 26% in 2020, led by Portugal, the Netherlands, Spain and UK in Europe.

Fitch Special Report: APAC Insurance Regulators’ Response During Coronavirus Crisis

Fitch Ratings believes the prompt response by most insurance regulators across the APAC region will help insurers weather some of their key business risks during the coronavirus crisis. Some insurers’ capitalisation, earnings and liquidity positions could come under pressure from the financial-market disruption and economic strain caused by the pandemic.

Insurance resilience tested by Covid-19 as global protection gap climbs to $1.24trn

Covid-19 is expected to hit global financial resilience hard, with research from Swiss Re forecasting a 20% drop in global resilience as a result of the pandemic as stimulus packages deplete economies’ fiscal and monetary headroom.

This year’s half-year financial results littered with Covid-19 complications

As the Covid-19 pandemic incessantly continues to rumble on, insurers and brokers have been forced to acknowledge the financial fallout caused by the virus as half year results published last month paint a vivid picture of how Covid-19 has affected profits, losses and reserving measures.

Ambiguity in BI policy wordings is ‘natural’ following ‘black swan’ Covid outbreak

The ambiguity in business interruption (BI) policy wordings related to Covid-19-based claims is “natural”, however this debate should be used as a catalyst for the insurance sector to proactively review contract small print in order to eliminate unclear phrasings that may prove problematic for insurers if applied to future “black ...

Insurers unable to hide behind parametric insurance small print, says FloodFlash’s Adam Rimmer

Although many organisations had a form of business interruption insurance within their commercial cover prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, FloodFlash co-founder Adam Rimmer tells Insurance Times how a parametric insurance model would have been the better option for this type of insurance, as ’there’s no small print for the insurer ...

Brokers need to beware ‘breach of duty’ risks arising from Covid-19 impacts

Law firm Plexus Law advises brokers to ‘pay attention in this changing market’

What does Aon’s purchase of Willis Towers Watson mean for brokers?

Industry voices fear that consolidation between two of the UK’s largest brokers will lead to a ‘stagnating’ market and ‘significant change’ of the sector as we know it

Resilience focus amid worsening global macro conditions – Swiss Re

Chief economist briefing emphased the ‘R’ word(s): trade war is risk number one; recession in the US 35% likely; and resilience in the global economy is worse than before the financial crisis

The Hong Kong protests: What if the government labels them terrorism?

Defining the pro-democracy protests as terrorism could impact insurance policies, as the cost of the demonstrations continues to rise

Baden-Baden: Hannover Re expects German rates rise in 2020

German reinsurer E+S Rück said its home market should see improved rates and conditions next year

What if 1989’s Loma Prieta Earthquake happened today?

Same earthquake hitting the Northeast Bay today could create a $27bn insured loss and a $184bn economic loss in the heart of Silicon Valley, according to an RMS catastrophe modelling study

Future at Lloyd’s ‘Blueprint One’ launched in London

Lloyd’s has released the 150-page “Blueprint One” for the London re/insurance market’s future transformation

FAIR: Rates firming as regional reinsurers provide less capacity - AM Best

Regional reinsurers in trouble means less local capacity available, helping to firm up reinsurance pricing in African and Middle Eastern markets

Pivotal moment in Lloyd’s evolution – Aon report

Aon offers its broker’s-eye-view on CEO John Neal’s bold new plans for the future at Lloyd’s, ahead of 30 September’s blueprint publication

Dorian provides the pre-Monte suspense for 2019

Hurricane Dorian provides this year’s pre-Monte Carlo jitters as re/insurance execs pack their bags for 2019’s Rendez-Vous de Septembre

Cyber war – Capsicum paper urges reinsurance to lead the debate

A paper from re/insurance broker Capsicum Re explores attribution in cyber warfare

Insurtech MGAs: a marriage made in heaven?

Startup insurtechs are favouring the MGA model for a gateway into the industry to avoid becoming just another service provider to traditional insurance companies. David Benyon reports

Crisis in the Hormuz Strait prompts Joint War Committee action

Attacks blamed on Iran off the coast of the UAE earlier this month left holes in the hulls of four oil tankers

Bounceback expected for reinsurers’ Q1 capital levels – Aon’s Van Slooten

Reinsurers’ capital was at a low point at the end of 2018, largely due to returns to shareholders and unrealised losses held on the investment side. Expect those numbers to bounce back for Q1

India’s market should favour insurtech

Low penetration but high potential in India’s re/insurance market should favour insurance technology, speakers said at an India-UK event in London

Demand hugely untapped – Willis Re’s Vickers

The insurance sector has a lot to do if it wants to close the protection gap in Middle East markets, according to James Vickers, chairman of Willis Re International

GR Innovation & Insurtech Bermuda: Talk about a revolution

Fresh thinking and converging insurance technologies are adding up to a revolution in the re/insurance sector, exemplified by GR’s Innovation & Insurtech 2018 event in Bermuda

Editor's letter: Insurtech takes centre stage

Insurtech has moved from a peripheral re/insurance topic to the centre stage, GR consulting editor David Benyon writes

Pandemic risk: 100 years since Spanish flu

The potential for devastating pandemics is still there, with major accumulation risks for insurers and reinsurers increasingly relevant for non-life lines of business. By David Benyon

ILS investors count losses from Camp Fire

Wildfires will cost excess and surplus lines insurers, reinsurers and ILS investors, after the Camp Fire goes down as the worst wildfire in Californian history

Regional hubs Dubai and Singapore have much in common

Roger Bickmore hosted a GR roundtable discussion at SIRC 2018 on the links between Asian reinsurance and MENA business

How long until a Chinese broker is in the global top ten?

Steve Hearn, CEO of Ed, spoke to GR about Chinese investment, broker consolidation, and growth prospects in Asia

Stable pricing expected, outlook positive – Swiss Re’s Higginbotham

Margins remain low, but Swiss Re’s Russell Higginbotham thinks the mood is positive and expects a stable renewal at 1/1

Rising interest rates to boost insurers’ profitability – Moody’s

Confidence in a gradual, if uneven, rise in global interest rates may be starting to take hold, according to a report from Moody’s Investors Service

Resilient in the face of change: Reinsurance centres in 2018

London and Lloyd’s, followed by Dubai, Zurich and Bermuda have shown the greatest innovation over the past 12 months, according to 50 senior reinsurance leaders surveyed by GR, in association with Dubai International Financial Centre

ILS Analysis: Closing in

As ILS funds continue to demonstrate an interest to get closer to the risk, questions around whether this capital is here to stay cease to be relevant

Q&A: Scor's Régis Delayat on implementing change

One of the industry’s biggest advocates for digital changes talks about preparing for the tech revolution

Dog Days: a biting year for reinsurance

Markel International Singapore principal officer and managing director Matt Cannock takes a look back at a tumultuous year

MENA Region: Unlocking potential

The region offers plenty of opportunities, but (re)insurers need to do their research to ensure they acquire the keys to success

1/1 Renewals: Leveraged Discussions

What was a buyers’ market is changing, with renewal rates set to move upwards. Global Reinsurance editor Samera Owusu Tutu looks at how the industry is preparing

Case study: What can reinsurers learn from the Equifax Breach?

GDPR expert Darren Wray puts the incident under the microscope and outlines lessons learned from the fallout

Days of under-pricing are numbered after HIM - PwC leaders' panel

Years of under-pricing could be over after the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season, says McGavick

Use InsurTech to reconnect with end user, says panel

Delegates at the inaugural Global Reinsurance Innovation & InsurTech Bermuda were told lack relationship with end user was industry’s achilles heel

Guy Carp Symposium 2017: Incumbent operations hold key to successful innovation

Heavyweight panel says knowledge of incumbent operations a necessity for modern practices

Pace of change accelerating – Lloyd’s CEO

No silver bullet for adapting to technology trends, Beale warned, but denial is not the answer

Dive In Festival 2017: London Market aims to dismantle 'white male dominance'

London Market described as ‘last bastion of white male dominance’

Reinsurance will stand up to Irma – JLT Re

While comparisons to Hurricane Andrew were made, JLT Re executives believe the industry will react better this time

Ogden Rate - a negative outcome

Stung by a change to the personal injury discount rate, UK insurers warn consumers will soon have to shoulder the costs

Trump budget could prove detrimental to crop insurance, AM Best says

Trump budget would cut crop insurance subsidies and could cap participation, according to Best’s News Service

US flood insurance: Changing Tides

A review of the US flood insurance programme will create opportunities for reinsurers

Rise of ransomware – what is it and how do we tackle it

A closer look at the rise of ransomware, we ask what is it, how do we tackle it and what does this global attack mean for our industry

Opinion: Insurance during an industrial revolution

How his grandfather felt as the world changed around him draws parallels to the dissonance felt in the industry today due to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, says Xceedance region head - EMEA Justin Davies

EU-US Insurance Agreement: what it means to reinsurance

The affects of removing transatlantic collateral requirements

DWIC: Plenty to be optimistic about in MENA region - Giles Ward

Chubb’s regional president shares report card on industry in DWIC regional keynote

Opinion: How Bermuda turns uncertainty into opportunity

Bermuda can weather the tide of political uncertainty that the last six months has thrown up, says Chris Garrod, partner in the Bermuda office of law firm Conyers Dill and Pearman

Closing the protection gap

Stress testing solar storm

What impact would an event like this have on our world today? Tim Evershed investigates

The road ahead

With 2017 renewals looming, we take stock and assess the year behind us, and in this review we present the predictions for the year ahead

Softening the blow

Xceedance EMEA head Justin Davies talks about the realities of a perpetually tough market

Could ILS help to narrow the exposure gap in the developing world?

Bermuda Stock Exchange Chief Executive Greg wojciechowski believes that as ILS becomes more broadly accepted as an investable asset class, this will help to drive more capital to areas in the world where insurance is most needed

Solutions to catastrophe risk management in ‘Emerging Markets’

JBA writes about modelling flood risk in emerging markets

Unpicking EU laws in the face of Brexit

Mayer Brown partner Colin Scagell likens the task to unscrambling an egg – here’s why

Country profile: India

A fast-growing economy, a young population and the governments ambitious expansion plans, some of the ingredients for success

Brexit and (re)insurance: uncertain times

Whether a paradise lost or a land of opportunity, it’s a new world, a new day, and a road to the unknown, writes Global Reinsurance Editor

Diversification for the sake of diversification

The evolution of the Insurance-Linked Securities (ILS) sector, combined with excess liquidity globally, has led the asset class to an interesting crossroads, Elementum Advisors LLC founding principal John DeCaro explains.

Panama Papers, a wake up call

The biggest data leak to date should be seen as a warning sign for the industry of the challenges and opportunities of cybersecurity

Cyber Hack vs Cyber Leak - does it matter?

The answer may very well depend upon whom you ask. If you are a cyber policyholder or their insurer, then the answer may well be yes, it does matter. If you are an individual whose personal data has been lost, stolen or even just revealed then you may not care ...

Mexico and Solvencia II

Mexico takes a similar path to Europe with regarding solvency, and ultimately faces similar challenges

Cat regimes in France: dealing with changing threats

After the terror attacks in Paris, and with a increase in weather-related events, does the way risk is tackled need to evolve in line with today’s threats?

The non-physical risks you need to know about

Xuber Xposure director Justin Davies outlines the top five types of insurable non-physical damage

Tianjin: navigating through complex claims

Global incidents like the Tianjin explosion in China can leave loss adjusters in a cultural and political bind. Cunningham Lindsey director of major and complex loss Ben Price unpicks the challenges behind managing major losses

Emerging market CAT risk - looking through multiple lenses

Aspen head of group catastrophe risk managment Alan Calder talks about the uncertainties caused when data is limited and warns against the simplicity of merely viewing the world as emerging and developed markets

Renewals: tight margins help widen the tier-gap

With low rates and an abundance of capacity, reinsurers knew they would inevitably feel the squeeze - but how did the industry respond?

AIG break-up: the saga so far

Financial results, senior redundancies and a militant billionaire investor

Q&A: Swiss Re chief economist's 2016 predictions

Kurt Karl on disruption, growth and market cycles

​ What does 2016 hold for US and EU (re)insurers writing business in Iran?

A closer look at the differing approaches to the lifting of Iran’s sanctions by the EU and US

The next steps for Probitas

Chief executive Ash Bathia on emerging markets and relationships

What has the industry learnt from Chilean earthquakes?

Insurers adapt to fourteen quakes in five years

London Islamic finance market maturing: IUA chief executive

London market broadens expertise in global relevance battle

AIG job cuts fail to quell growing calls to split firm

Loss-making insurer faces battle to convince Wall Street as billionaire investor plots AIG slice up

Big claims nearly halve Zurich UK nine-month profit

Insurer to look at cost base, says chief executive

New Zealand PM thanks Lloyd’s for Christchurch support

Premier addresses market on the role of (re)insurance

SIRC 2015: Emerging Asia reinsurance growth is world's fastest, says Arnoldussen

The Munich Re board member says emerging Asia is fastest growing market

Singapore International Reinsurance Conference 2015

Read features on infrastructure in Asia, Japanese M&A, the rise of captives, and consolidation in the region in our SIRC special

The veil of silence in the London aviation market

Why the market needs a frank debate about broking practices

Aon Benfield expand in Florida to cater for rising demand

Reinsurance broker to hire more staff

Survey: How do you feel about insurance Emiratisation rules?

Take part in our anonymous sentiment survey

What next for RSA after being jilted by Zurich?

RSA faces uncertainty after being left high and dry when Zurich dropped its takeover bid. But questions have also been raised over Zurich’s internal issues cited as behind the change of heart

New risks on Asia’s road to development

Russell Group managing director Suki Basi gives take on the impact of the Asia infrastructure boom

The impact of EU rulings on the cyber landscape

European judges handed down two landmark rulings last week, changing not only where and how EU citizens’ personal information is handled but also perhaps the internet forever.

ILS: Batten down the hatches

As an asset class that depends on the weather rather than the financial markets, ILS could provide an effective shelter from today’s market uncertainties

Capita and Apollo in bidding war for Xchanging

Rival bids drive up Xchanging share price

WINNERS: MEA Risk & Insurance Excellence Awards 2015

Companies and individuals rewarded at inaugural ceremony

Staying relevant in insurance: the debate

MEA reinsurance must evolve: PartnerRe president

Clarke speaks at MEA Risk and Insurance Forum in Dubai

How the Volkswagen emissions scandal will affect insurers

D&O and product recall in the spotlight

'Insurance is too insular': Allied World president Julian James

Should the industry do more to solve clients’ needs?

Monte Carlo 2015: Asta Underwriting appoints Sian Fisher

Asta executives on big changes at the firm

Monte Carlo 2015: Sompo Canopius Re chairman unveils plans

Mike Duffy on consolidation, scale and the future

Monte Carlo 2015: Pro Global relaunches MGA platform

Chief executive likens overcapacity to meteor that killed the dinosaurs

Monte Carlo 2015: M&A megadeals ‘good for Lloyd’s’ says chairman

John Nelson on mergers and global insurance hubs

Monte Carlo 2015: Reinsurance capacity to grow in MENA, says QFC

But rate pressure and personal lines concerns act as anchors

How regulation and Brexit threaten UK insurer competitiveness

Increased regulation rarely goes down well with the business community, but a chorus of voices from the London market recently has demonstrated just how strongly insurers are opposed to the rising cost of regulation, writes Mayer Brown partner Colin Scagell.

Ashley Madison hack sparks rise in cyber insurance interest

Brokers note more cyber interest after high-profile data breach

The US cities most at risk from storm surges

Karen Clark report shows huge underinsurance issue

The legal risks for drone insurance

Tighter policy wordings will be needed amid new regulations and increasing drone use

Monte Preview: Time to stop talking about big data and start harnessing it

Read the first in our series of preview articles on Monte Carlo Rendez-Vous hot topics

The major points of the Endurance and Montpelier deal

Deal now completed

London – a global takaful centre?

Takaful is a market that for some time has been recognised as a sleeping giant. In London it is in the process of waking up, writes Martin Mankabady, corporate insurance partner at Clyde & Co

Interview: Egypt financial regulator chairman Sherif Samy

The head of Egypt’s financial watchdog talks about Egypt’s economic indicators, why sound regulation is the key to attracting investment, and the authority’s plans for the insurance industry

Higher reinsurance demands offsets rate slump at renewals: Guy Carp

Overall pricing down on all geographies and lines

US power hack cost could top $1tn: Lloyd’s

Insurance claims could hit $71bn

Western firms gunning for Iranian business when sanctions fall

Insurers set to benefit but need to be vigilant

Flood Re to buy £2.1bn of reinsurance

Pool to spend £100m a year

Ace buys Chubb for $28.3bn

New firm to take Chubb name

Axis chief Benchimol says PartnerRe merger ‘in excellent shape’

PartnerRe chairman says Exor bid “undervalues” the firm

Marketform launches M&A insurance team

Astrid O’Reilly joins as first underwriter

Iran: the opportunities and risks of the largest untapped frontier market

Atradius report on the future of insurance business in the country

Willis hires Miller’s Weaver as Singapore chief executive

Simon Weaver replaces Matthew Hooker on 1 September

Revealed: London’s best underwriters

Watkins’ Hoare and Ascot’s Pepper top lists made by Gracechurch

The pitfalls of structuring cross-border M&A deals

What the wave of consolidation needs to account for

Amlin hires Aspen Re chief James Few

Few to join as global reinsurance managing director

An in-depth exploration of the US 'hurricane drought'

Malcolm Haylock – head of research and development, Aspen Re – analyses the occurrence of hurricanes through application of statistical models. The lack of a major hurricane making US landfall in the last nine years does not change the probability of such an event in 2015 but one can comment ...

JBA launches new cat modelling platform

JCalf 15 aims to be flexible and transparent

Ex-Towergate operations chief Michael Rea joins Arthur J Gallagher

Rea to help Graeme Chilton on acquisitions trail

Mapfre buys Direct Line's international arm for $620m

German and Italian motor intermediaries change hands

Pool Re hires Hiscox's Masojada as non-exec director

Hiscox chief executive to bolster Pool Re board

LMG chairman hails outside investment in Slipcase

Slipcase bags £1m from UK software house

Marsh buys UK broker SMEi

Deal to complete this year

What will jumpstart the cyber insurance market?

Less than 10% of firms buy cyber

AIG hires Sutherland as UK casualty head

Sutherland tasked with growing UK casualty book

The biggest threats to insurers’ reputations

Senior insurance executives air views on the best way to protect corporate reputations

Why DPAs will be bad news for D&O insurers

UK D&Os should be wary

Who will lead the new UK broker M&A era?

With Gallagher and Towergate inactive, smaller players are set to move into the mid-market

Interview: IGI chief executives Jabsheh and Loucaides

In an era when ’big is beautiful’ in reinsurance terms, one of MENA’s home-grown (re)insurers is opting for a more considered approach as it quietly solidifies its empire

Does the world need specialty insurance hubs?

Bosses of GIC Re, Willis Re and Qatar Re air their views

The major changes of the UK Insurance Act

Compliance lawyer digests the incoming legislation

How Petrobras corruption has fuelled a D&O spike in Brazil

Demand set to increase, yet loss ratios due to rise

Price rises drive continued growth in Saudi insurance

Assessing the risks and opportunities in the Saudi Arabian insurance market

Why smaller insurers in emerging markets need niches: AM Best

The ‘me too’ strategy has its flaws

Q&A: Solvency II creator Karel Van Hulle on the future of the regulation

Why the start date of Solvency II is just “the end of the beginning”

The next steps for the DIFC Insurance Association

Dr. Bassel Hindawi lifts lid on the organisation at GR Dubai market gathering

Proof Lloyd’s bosses earn more than UKGI rivals

Stephen Catlin highest-paid director

Are Iran sanctions talks good news for insurers and reinsurers?

What do the sanction talks mean for the industry, and is Russia next?

Who was the best performing Lloyd's insurer in 2014?

Most firms reported lower underwriting profits after a tougher year, but who came out on top?

The UK’s ambitions to keep dominating the cyber insurance market

Marsh, UK government and Lloyd’s on the warpath over cyber cover

The places least exposed to nat cats, and why

FM Global list shows intriguing results

Dissecting the $300m insurance bill for the Germanwings crash

Thirty insurers to cover costs

Do the UK’s ILS plans challenge Bermuda?

UK government to kickstart new reinsurance programme

The next steps for Bermudian (re)insurance M&A

Will island’s (re)insurers decide bigger is better?

Five things we learnt about UK insurers' 2014 results

The trends shown by the biggest UK general insurance firms

Q&A: Arthur J Gallagher boss Grahame Chilton

Former Benfield boss gives interview on first day in job

Market reacts to Lloyd's official Dubai branch opening

Positive responses from (re)insurance executives

Multaqa 2015: Ace president Giles Ward on MENA insurance challenges

Ward airs views in Doha speech

Multaqa 2015: Qatar insurance sector set for growth: QCB governor

H.E. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Saoud Al Thani on opportunities for the market

The changing face of cloud computing and (re)insurance

(Re)insurers now using the cloud for more than non-core functions

Should tech-savvy talent be a priority for the insurance industry?

Market evolution will drive the future of (re)insurance staffing

Interview: Aspen Re chief executive Stephen Postlewhite

Postlewhite gives first interview in new role

Which (re)insurance personnel does LatAm lack most?

Specialist lines and reinsurance in the spotlight

Regulatory challenges for (re)insurers in 2015

Solvency II, protectionism and collateral requirements on the table

Why alternative capital is proving that, for reinsurers, size does not matter

COMMENT: The (re)insurance industry is changing and recent consolidations are signalling a momentous shift for customers too

The longevity swap explosion - and the opportunities for reinsurers

Examining the rise of working with pension schemes

Q&A: Munich Re Middle East and Africa chief Bernd Kohn

Reinsurer’s regional chief on his plans for Munich Re and the current market challenges

Interview: FM Global chief executive Thomas Lawson

Lawson on collective thinking and answering clients’ questions before they ask them

This week's results roundup: Munich Re, XL, PartnerRe, Beazley

Your at-a-glance digest of the latest crop of results

Is consolidation inevitable in Saudi Arabia?

Pressures and costs affecting country’s (re)insurance market

Staying ahead of the PRA's new rules for insurance executives

Prudential Regulation Authority moots new bank-style regime

(Re)insurance heavyweights turn to microinsurance

Scheme targets Asia, Latin America and Africa

The (re)insurance future for Guernsey

Guernsey Finance chief executive Dominic Wheatley on captives and ILS

The 2015 risks for European insurers and global reinsurers: Fitch

Low interest rates top list for European insurers

KPMG on why India’s FDI limit hike spells insurance growth

Firm calls for quick action by foreign insurers

European insurers paid out €952bn in claims in 2013

Insurance Europe finds insurers paid out €2.6bn per day

Renewals: are reinsurers running scared of UK motor?

Is coverage availability going to dry up?

‘Reinsurance needs a reset’: Guy Carpenter EMEA chief

Alternative capital pressure key feature of 1/1 renewals

How falling oil prices will affect insurers

The A.M. Best perspective on the pricing trend

The USA insurance market digest for 2014

Flood reforms, cyber awareness, catastrophe claims and the expiry of TRIA have dominated debate

Reviewing the 2014 London insurance market

Cyber, ILS and a female boss at Lloyd’s all promise a welcome new era for the hub

Q&A: Navigators' president Paul Hennessy

From his first job in freezing Canada, Hennessy looks back at his career

Bermuda: the year in review

As the leading market for alternative capital, Bermuda has also paid for its success with plummeting rates in the US

Are Gibraltarian insurers over-reliant on ancillary income?

Study shows that some insurers see big swings in COR if non-risk income is removed

Investigation: behind the collapse of unrated insurer Millburn

Reinsurer Klapton still owes Millburn money

How FATCA affects cross-border reinsurance deals

Hogan Lovells lawyers dissect tricky issue

Inga Beale: Insurers offering too little cover for clients’ non-physical risks

Lloyd’s chief says industry’s 10% share of corporate risks ‘is not good enough’

Munich Re and Swiss Re slam G-SIRs after FSB delay

Systemically important reinsurers react to regulatory uncertainty

Marsh heralds Philippines W&I breakthrough

Broker hails watershed moment in twitchy Philippines market

Why global financial systems should pay more attention to extreme weather

Lack of attention costs firms billions

Is the London insurance market doomed?

London’s commercial insurance market is still the world’s biggest, but questions remain about its future

What is holding back MENA (re)insurance growth?

Experts from the region give opinions

Ten striking things about UK insurers' nine-month results

Bodily injury claims, motor rates and commercial growth on chief executives’ minds

Gibraltarian insurers in Solvency II capital battle

Some companies trading below minimum required solvency margin

'India needs more foreign insurers': Lloyd's chairman John Nelson

Insurers can bring much-needed nat cat protection, says Nelson

The changing face of insurance technology

GR event debates the present and future of insurance tech

Asia Capital Re's Lehner on MENA growth plans

Rainer Lehner on plans for new lines and locations

Reinsurers should beware cat model overreliance: Allianz Re

Focus should be on data quality, says Steimen

Trying to navigate emerging insurance risks in the Middle East

Panel at GR event debate the best strategy for charting risks and opportunities in a rapidly-changing market

How insurance outsourcing is changing

Outsourcing moving beyond cost-saving and efficiency

UAE Insurance Authority gives update on regulatory reform

Maher Afaneh speaks at GR Executive Briefing Live

Multaqa 2015: Essay competition now open

A chance to be published in GR and to win an iPad

What the Allied World/RSA Asia deal means for insurance M&A

An increase in insurance M&A is expected in Asia, as Western providers seek rapid expansion

Soft market causing (re)insurers to look inwards: Pro Global

Chief executive Artur Niemczewski explains trends in the consultancy and outsourcing markets

The top ten threats to insurers’ financial stability

A.M. Best list includes megaquakes, hyperinflation and alternative capital

Sandy Scott: Finding the CII’s next mission

During his time at the helm of the CII, Sandy Scott has campaigned to improve practices within the insurance industry and make it more professional. So, what’s next?

Interview: IAG senior reinsurance manager Marcus Taylor

Taylor on what drives modern reinsurance buying

Interview: Jeremy Pinchin, Hiscox Re

Hiscox Re chief executive on the future of the reinsurer

The future of underwriting: moving away from Excel

GR looks at why insurers are hampered by the fact they still rate their business using spreadsheets

Do (re)insurers really want the Cloud?

In a market haunted by costly tech failures, GR asks if cloud computing can work

EU firms face tough new non-financial reporting rules

New transparency directive to hit companies with 500+ staff

Is reputational risk an untouchable intangible?

Many worry, but peace of mind is closer than they think

Interview: Giles Ward, regional president, Ace

As head of its new Eurasia & Africa division, seasoned traveller Giles Ward is excited about expanding Ace’s global footprint

Bermuda Stock Exchange eyes ILS listings growth

Monte Carlo 2014: BSX boss on growing market share and accessibility

Insurers struggling to align digital strategies with overall objectives

Monte Carlo 2014: Industry is at a digital inflection point, KPMG study finds

Perils eyes new territories and risks in growth drive

Monte Carlo 2014: Perils product head Eduard Held on the future of the data firm

Weather index underwriter launches with support from top reinsurers

Monte Carlo 2014: Excessweather to pay claims based on weather data not loss

JLT Re to drop ‘Towers’ name in rebrand

Monte Carlo 2014: Reinsurance broker announces return to previous brand at Rendez-Vous

Munich Re predicts increasing demand for reinsurance

Monte Carlo 2014: Most innovation taking place on cusp of primary insurance and reinsurance, reinsurer says

How do you rate the rating agencies?

Litmus Analysis on agency performance

Three female insurance executives on breaking the glass ceiling

Executives from Willis, LMA and Hempel on prejudice and diversity

Catastrophe reinsurance rates to fall 10-15%: Moody's

Rating agency gives global reinsurance outlook

Interview: Michel Liès, Swiss Re

Liès talks about growth, investment, Monte Carlo and whether he wants Swiss Re to be the world’s biggest reinsurer

A.M. Best's top challenges for MENA insurance market ratings

Growth volatility and aggressive investment make the list

Interview: Ulrich Wallin, Hannover Re

After years of volatility at Hannover Re, Wallin has mastered a delicate balancing act – combining innovation with a ‘steady as she goes’ approach

Who was the best-performing Lloyd's insurer in the first half?

Companies faced headwinds but enjoyed a rise in investment returns

[Re]flections: Hemant Shah, RMS

RMS chief reviews his career in cat modelling and reveals the last time he said sorry

Lloyd's chief executive Inga Beale on getting ahead

Beale tells GR’s sister StrategicRISK about her rise to lead Lloyd’s

Tax transparency & profit shifting: the (re)insurance perspective

(Re)insurers must manage risk of collateral damage from the OECD’s base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) initiative

[Re]flections: Alex Moczarski, Guy Carpenter

Guy Carpenter president and chief executive looks back on his career and shares his expectations for Monte Carlo 2014

Bribery & corruption in insurance: avoiding the pitfalls

GR outlines the challenges for insurers wanting to grow in regions that are more vulnerable to problems with corruption

What the future holds for reinsurance arbitration clauses

The time-honoured reliance on arbitration to settle disputes is under threat as reinsurance contracts evolve

How China's Solvency II will reshape its insurance industry

Clyde & Co partner explains the implications of C-ROSS

The Swiss Re view on spotting emerging risks

Key is to cut uncertainty and limit volatility, says Sandra Burmeier

Chris O'Kane: I see more severe headwinds for reinsurance than insurance...

O’Kane discusses his five year plan, Aspen’s Q2 results, cyber risk, and staying ahead of the competition

Would life insurers leave an independent Scotland?

Firms turn their gaze to England

Mike McGavick: Sorry, there is no such vacancy…

XL Group chief executive on why there is no head of innovation at his company

What insurers need to know about increased Russian sanctions

HFW’s Daniel Martin tells GR why insurers need to brace themselves

Turmoil and growth in north Africa holds (re)insurance opportunities

Behind the region’s insurance explosion

The insurance impact of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17

Physical damage could be $100m, lengthy settlement expected

Could reinsurers face legal rows over UK mesothelioma case?

RPC partner on the possible consequences

Insurance Europe on the top (re)insurance regulatory issues

Director general Michaela Koller gives update

How firms could do better at information risk management

Mid-market firms are not managing their information risk effectively, stopping growth

What insurers need to know about tough new UK environmental fines

New sentencing guidelines are a risk and an opportunity

How the 'sharing economy' will disrupt insurer business models

How consumers access goods and services is changing, and insurers must adapt

JLT eyes "massive untapped potential" in India with broker buy

Broker buys 26% of India’s Independent Insurance Brokers

GR interview: Hiscox Re, six months on

Mike Krefta and Ben Love on relevance, innovation and growth

Research finds environmental systemic risk “a ticking timebomb”

RSA, WWF and PwC set our recommendations for handling growing environmental systemic risk

Ace, Lloyd's, Munich Re and Willis leaders interviewed

Speakers air views at IIS’s 50th seminar

Global risks 'among the most dangerous an organisation can face'

A new report by Airmic and IoD warns that business leaders are not doing enough to address global risks

Financial firms and utilities are most exposed to cyber risks

Aon’s cyber diagnostic tool highlights key markets at most risk of cyber attacks

How one star's injury changed 2014 World Cup player insurance

London market playing a major role in covering the insurance needs of clubs and companies at the World Cup 2014

How hacking can save your business

Cyber crime is increasing, but ethical hacking can help

Aon president Greg Case on GRIP, sidecars, risk and staying relevant

The industry needs evolution and change, Case argues

How rising levels of civil unrest are affecting business

The risk of conflict and political violence is increasing in size and severity for multinationals

Lloyd’s plans to leave iconic London HQ - reports

Insurance market has occupied Richard Rogers-designed building since 1986

Run-off market set to change under tough new rules

New rules proposed by the UK’s Prudential Regulation Authority point towards a more restrictive approach to schemes of arrangement and capital extractions for insurers in run-off, argues Gerry Quirk, Clyde & Co

How multinationals are driving trade credit market growth

Large multinationals are buying more credit insurance as the risks increase, according to Marsh

IIS 2014: How science and technology is changing the insurance industry

GR looks at how smart application of technology will be crucial in driving down costs for the labour-intensive insurance industry

Profile: Julian James, president, Allied World Europe

Allied World’s Europe chief outlines his growth plans and vents his frustration at the ‘introverted’ London market

Bermuda premier resigns over scandal

GR looks back at Cannonier’s (re)insurance legacy

Why paper is the enemy of contract certainty

Ebix’s Jeff Ward looks at how technology can now be an integral part of contract certainty

Technology is quietly revolutionising insurance distribution

Agents and brokers must adapt to their customers, says Swiss Re

Brokers take action over wholesaler solvency fears

Boss of one of the largest independent wholesalers in the world says retailers are ‘asking more questions’

How Gibraltar is challenging Caribbean ILS dominance

Gibraltar Finance insurance head lays out battle plans

Allianz Re chief Amer Ahmed on managing flood risk

With flood losses predicted to increase, how should the (re)insurance industries react?

XL Re explain why greater MENA risk retention is good for business

Europe chief David Watson explains the rationale behind the reinsurer’s new Dubai office

New Lloyd's Hong Kong chief talks insuring autonomous vehicles

EXCLUSIVE: Dylan Bryant explains how insurers can take advantage of these emerging risks

How reinsurance sellers must evolve or face extinction

Relevance must be the new mantra, argues Hiscox Re’s Krefta

How insurers can tackle the growing UK cyber crime problem

KCS on the future of the issue

GR interviews: the men in charge of Lockton Re

George Carrington and Mike Hammond on strategy and the future of the firm

Insuring the 2014 World Cup: the Munich Re view

Underwriting manager Andrew Duxbury on cancellation insurance implications

GR interviews: the man who invented cat bonds

Hannover Re’s Eberhard Mueller on the past and future of his invention

Aspen accuses Endurance of having 'disdain' for Lloyd's and rejects $3.2bn takeover bid

Reinsurer launches unsolicited bid to buy rival for $47.50 a share

Investments in BRICS countries face more political risk exposure

Aon research shows emerging risks

How firms are hit by European nationalism and political instability

Nationalism is now increasingly dominating the political landscape in Europe

Discover what MENA chiefs think about regional rates, regulation and talent

VIDEO: Watch coverage of the Multaqa 2014 chief executive debate

Bermuda’s opposition responds to premier's plans for the future of reinsurance

Progressive Labour Party finance minister says Bermuda always “open for business” to (re)insurers

How the Asia-Pacific region bucks the global insurance M&A trend

While M&A in the global insurance industry has dipped, deal-making in Asia-Pacific is on the rise

The latest trends in catastrophe modelling

Aon Benfield, Lloyd’s and Intersys give updates on developments

What the future holds for Lloyd's Asia

Talking to GR following the announcement that the specialist insurance and reinsurance market turned a profit of more than $5bn in 2013, head of Asia Pacific at Lloyd’s Asia Kent Chaplin was in a reflective mood.

VIDEO: Bermuda premier's message to reinsurers

Craig Cannonier explains why the status quo is the island’s enemy

Q&A: Bermuda's premier and finance minister debate the island's reinsurance future

Craig Cannonier and Bob Richards speak frankly about their plans for the island, crime rates, and nurturing local talent

Swiss Re: Global catastrophe claims almost halved in 2013

Europe suffered the year’s two most expensive disasters

How can (re)insurance better sell itself to recruits?

CMS Cameron McKenna’s Ed Foss tackles the issue

Are Asia’s brokers and insurers creating truly innovative solutions?

Or are old techniques simply tapping into high levels of underinsurance in emerging economies, asks the head of Lockton Singapore

What the missing Malaysia Airlines MH370 case reveals about poor crisis management

Aviation risk expert predicts heavy reputational damage

MENA (re)insurers know how to solve region's problems: Gunther Saacke

Q-Re chief executive on retention, capitalisation and underwriting discipline

How to avoid a culture clash after M&As

Why the unpredictable ‘human factor’ can affect big deals

Multaqa 2014: Essay competition winner revealed

Winning entry fought off stiff competition to take the inaugural insurance title

Have we got cyber risks covered?

Beazley Group specialty lines underwriter Jimaan Sane sorts fact from fiction

Why the cost of Solvency II could still increase for insurers

European Parliament adopts key package of changes, completing the new capital regime

Multaqa 2014: MENA insurance market optimistic about the future

QFC’s market survey reveals perceived opportunities and challenges

Multaqa 2014: What will be the next big idea to change the (re)insurance industry?

GR interviews IIS president Mike Morrissey

Interview: Hyperion chief executive David Howden

Howden believes in rapid growth, and is confident he can achieve it

Asia Capital Re head Reto Brosi on tackling Asia underinsurance

As Asia’s GDP rises, how can insurance penetration be increased?

Quenching the inferno: how can insurers best handle wildfires?

As wildfire frequency increases, we examine the state of the problem

Ace's Kendrick urges multinationals to open up to insurers

The increasing desire to move across borders means firms must have closer relationships with insurers

M&A limits soar amid increased foreign investment

Investors are cautiously pursuing opportunities in foreign jurisdictions and pushing insurance limits higher than ever before, says Marsh

Can reinsurers ignore big data?

PwC’s Bryan Joseph on how big data will reshape the industry

MINT nations: the insurance opportunities and risks

GR investigates why Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria and Turkey have been earmarked as the next bloc of insurance markets to watch out for

The role of politics in inflating the cost of insurance claims

When claims become politicised the costs can snowball. So how do insurers prepare and price for such an eventuality?

The cost of Costa Concordia: two years on

Allianz marine experts on why the salvage job was so costly and long

Bermudian reinsurance and the OBA: turning a corner?

After a shaky period, the island’s reinsurance sector is optimistic

GR Executive Briefing Dubai: Creating a better insurance marketplace

Event brought together 150 senior executives to debate MENA insurance and Lloyd’s expansion plans

Is the Middle East's nat cat immunity coming to an end?

MULTAQA 2014: With cyclones and floods on the rise, reinsurers examine the future

Q&A: Catlin Group chief executive Stephen Catlin

Catlin founder on 40 years in the industry

The changing nature of the (re)insurance consumer explained

Expectations, attitudes and behaviours across the industry are changing at pace

Why insurers eyeing rapid-growth markets need strong Asia strategies

Asia-Pacific key to global organisations targeting long-term insurance growth, says EY partner

Using unrated insurers: the pitfalls for UK brokers

Brokers could face legal action if insurer fails

The role of M&A insurance explained

ANV’s Thomas Mannsdorfer discusses the latest trends in transactional risk insurance

The top ten business risks in Asia: Allianz

Cyber and reputation risks storm into region’s top 10

'MENA terrorism risk escalating': Aon Risk Solutions

The region suffered 52% of all terrorist attacks in 2013

How to get more women into insurance: former Willis International chairman

Sarah Turvill talks about how to bring women into senior positions in insurance and Willis’s mentoring programme to help retain them

IMD II: what it means for EU brokers

Ahead of the long-awaited publication of the final draft wording, GR’s sister title Insurance Times examines the implications of these latest regulations

Aon's Sid Obied talks the future of MENA broking

Head of MENA specialties looks ahead to the next meeting of the GR MENA Broker50

How internal fraudsters attack companies

Fraud is rising, with nearly 40% of perpetrators in senior management, says KPMG

Product innovation the main concern for GR readers

Regulation and market modernisation the second and third worries

Why hail and floods helped ramp up Germany's 2013 claims

Climate change a factor behind extreme weather, claims Ergo

Convergence in 2014: no easy ride for reinsurers

New capital in the market could bring its own range of dangers

JLT Specialty lists the top risks for firms in 2014

JLT’s Downey gives risk outlook and advice

Why new EU data proposals could cost your firm money

Lockton’s Nimmo says preparation is key

Renewal rates abnormally low: Guy Carpenter

Low rates affecting high proportion of regions

Why claims against reinsurers will increase in 2014

A major ruling on cedants’ settlements set a precedent in 2013 for future procedures in reinsurance cases heading to court

GR interviews: Peak Re chief executive Franz Hahn

Hahn lays out plans for his business and hopes for the market

The year in review for the US: Terrorism and tax, but fewer tornadoes

US insurers and reinsurers have left behind the recent dismal operating environment, to emerge capital-rich in 2013

Will (re)insurance still be the investors' choice in 2014?

Secquaero Advisors managing partner Dirk Lohmann airs views

(Re)insurance in 2013: The investment perspective

BNY Mellon’s head of insurance Paul Traynor on the main events of the year

The future of Lloyd's Vision 2025

GR interviews Lloyd’s international director to get an update

Asia-Pacific executives on opportunity, regulation and the future

Markel, Lockton, JLT, Allianz and AIG bosses speak out

Mid-market firms facing more export risks: ACE

ACE Continental Europe president warns that distributors are facing higher levels of export risks as they expand into emerging markets

Weak communication causes gaps in the cyber market market: Marsh

‘There is a very strong will to take on cyber risks, but insurers need to build a book of business around that’ – Marsh’s EMEA cyber risk lead Stephen Wares

What D&O underwriters need to know about new Indian class actions

Could the continent see a US level of class actions?

How cat models are evolving

Recent catastrophes have shaken up Asia’s (re)insurers, but firms are now coming up with highly advanced cat models

How Singapore is preparing for a rise in Asia captives

Emerging markets are the key to insurance growth, yet captives have still to take off in the region

Interview: RSA Asia chief executive Chris Colahan

Colahan on rebuilding RSA’s presence in Asia

Predicting the future of Asia microinsurance

China and India are driving the growth in demand while the key to success for insurance companies is to keep it simple

Q&A: Scor chairman and chief executive Denis Kessler

Kessler believes that life as a ‘reinsurance industry guy’ is much like that of a monk – both are vocations that never fade

Why capital markets are shaping the future of the US property cat market

As ILSs play an ever-bigger role in US property catastrophe, traditional reinsurers will be forced to redeploy capacity elsewhere

The challenge of providing accurate insured loss estimates for Typhoon Haiyan

Estimation difficulties exacerbated by uncertainty about take-up rates in the Philippines

What are the cracks in contract certainty?

CMS Cameron McKenna partner Alex Denslow on which disputes will evade the London market’s drive to contract certainty

Managing the rise of D&O insurance demand in Asia

Demand for D&O liability insurance is on the rise in Asia as company directors and executives across the region become more aware of their potential personal liability exposures

A fresh look at China’s agriculture exposure

New risk models are needed in the world’s largest agricultural market, says Asia Risk Centre chief executive Roman Hohl

Why corruption risk assessments are vital for doing business in Asia

‘Cry of anger’ over bribery echoed by businesses, anti-corruption expert tells GR

What the future holds for insurance in emerging markets

Many firms are venturing into parts of Africa, Latin America and Asia, but such new markets can present both regulation and local government challenges

Why insurers are now open to fresh overseas legal challenges

A recent legal battle between Allianz and a shipping company has shown how vulnerable providers can be to legal challenges brought overseas

Typhoon Haiyan: Rebuild for resilience and fund better forecasting

Intelligent investment key to dealing with future super typhoons, says Aon Benfield’s Mr Hurricane

The facts behind the unstoppable rise of ILS

Conyers Dill and Pearman Bermuda insurance practice head Chris Garrod on the future of convergence

Lessons learned from Superstorm Sandy: one year on

Businesses are wising up to the pitfalls of complacency, says FM Global

The insurance and claims impact of ongoing Australian bushfires

PHOTO SPECIAL: More than 70 fires are burning and at least 30 uncontained

How to safeguard cities against future catastrophes

Increasing insured as well as economic losses show how susceptible modern societies are to the impact of nat cats

The lasting effects of S&P's new (re)insurance criteria

GR analyses the rating changes and what they mean for (re)insurers

FM Global takes it slow and steady in race to win Asia

‘We’re not out there trying to grow faster than our competitors … we don’t need to do that’

The impact of Solvency II delays on insurance transactions

Hogan Lovells discusses how to future-proof transactions before the implementation of Solvency II

Good for what ILS you

As the market continues to soften, money from pension funds is streaming into insurance-linked securities. But are these investors prepared to withstand the impact of a major catastrophe?

Allianz Re strives to be leading Asian reinsurer

Regional chief executive says new Allianz Asia hub will make firm’s reinsurance operations ‘more visible in Singapore’

Jumping through regulatory hoops

Directors’ and officers’ policies are increasingly having to take account of the financial burden of wave after wave of regulation

How to be a good reinsurer and really show it

Swiss Re is one of several reinsurers putting in place systems to avoid getting involved in unethical work, as it believes this benefits society and its business

Fragmented insurance market on the cards for Germany

DVS boss Hans-Jurgen Allerdissen gives analysis

What challenges will SIFI reinsurers face?

The FSB’s reinsurer list for globally systemically important financial institutions will be a double-edged sword

ACR: can (re)insurers keep up with Asian growth?

ACR Capital Holding chief executive John Tan has mixed opinions

How can reinsurers adapt to the latest US sanctions against Iran?

Increase in US sanctions raises compliance burden on reinsurers

How big data could transform cat modelling in emerging markets

Vast swathes of information – from sources including weather forecasting, mobile phone use and social media – could be used to challenge assumptions and mitigate risks

Q&A: Mark Harrington, Barbican

Barbican’s chief underwriting officer discusses challenges facing the reinsurance market, including the growing convergence with the capital markets, and why it is a good time to be part of the Lloyd’s franchise.

Infrastructure demand leaves firms blind to long-term risks

Marsh warns in particular that climate change is not a risk factor built into most Asian infrastructure investment models

Legislation shakes up insurance rules

There have been significant changes in the insurance and reinsurance legislative landscape in the UK over the past year, and the rest of 2013 promises even more

Banks and insurers in a marriage of minds

Banks and insurance companies have become one another’s port in the regulatory storm since the crisis of 2008, and found new dimensions to their partnerships

Why Europe must work together for better flood (re)insurance cover

The UK’s public/private proposition sets a template, but will other countries follow?

Vying for a slice of the action

(Re)insurers from mature and emerging markets are pouring capacity into the Middle East

Continent still proves its global credentials

The sovereign debt crisis and a catastrophe-hit 2012 have not dented Europe’s competitiveness in the world market – but it must stay ahead of emerging markets

Q&A: Chris O'Kane, Aspen

Aspen’s chief executive discusses the business’s work in developing countries, its treatment of capital markets and its hopes for renewed growth in the US

Safe harbour or atlantic drift?

Bermuda’s tax position continues to stir up controversy among global financial regulators, but this is more than offset by its thriving reputation as a reinsurance hub

Six barriers businesses face when building resilience to natural catastrophes

FM Global survey reveals how maintaining business continuity following natural disasters goes beyond insurance

Why the future of Lloyd's is in emerging markets

Lloyd’s is pushing for licenses in India, Turkey and Colombia

European flood loss creep begins

Since the 2002 floods, protection has improved and insurers have introduced higher deductibles or withdrawn from providing cover in loss-prone areas

Q&A: Michael Morrissey, IIS

Ahead of next week’s annual seminar in Seoul, the International Insurance Society’s president tells GR why a changing global demographic should force insurers to adapt their business models

Swiss Re 150: Navigating new risk frontiers

In the final article to celebrate its 150th anniversary, Swiss Re tells GR about its work in the modern era of reinsurance and how the company navigated the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the global financial meltdown

Swiss Re 150: The catastrophic wake-up call

In the second of a three-part series to celebrate its 150th anniversary, Swiss Re tells GR how a series of catastrophes in the 20th century highlighted the importance of seeking well-capitalised counterparties

How US tornadoes are boosting demand for frequency covers

The US Midwest braces for more tornadoes as the mid-year renewals approach

60 SECOND READ: Searching for higher yields

Randy Brown of Deutsche Asset and Wealth Management explains that if insurers want more return then they need to take on more risk

How mega-capacity is shaping the future of megaprojects

The new Lloyd’s construction consortium reflects changing demand as construction in the BRIC economies gathers pace

Predicting China's next big catastrophe

What will be the cost of future disasters as insurance penetration and assets grow?

The impact of government cordons on insurance

A court case related to the Christchurch earthquake highlights how government reponse can affect cover in natural disasters

How reinsurance convergence became a reality

Traditional reinsurers are offering collaterised reinsurance and retro protection through sidecars

Linking drought to climate change

Last year’s US dustbowl was ‘sequence of unfortunate events’, insists a new report

Video Q&A: Jeremy Brazil, Markel

Markel’s President Jeremy Brazil tells GR about the company’s strategy, the Alterra deal, and which trends he will be following this year

1 April renewals: $35bn capital influx puts pressure on reinsurers

More aggressive pricing apparent at 1 April

Chinese life sector at critical point, warn analysts

Regulations and sluggish growth continue to challenge Chinese insurers

Latin America poised for insurance growth

Premium growth in Brazil, Mexico, Colombia and Peru is attracting foreign insurers

Aon-Berkshire deal sparks Lloyd’s underwriting fears

Mixed feelings as Berkshire Hathaway arm prepares to muscle in on Aon business

The new world of claims handling

Harsh lessons learnt from Sandy and 2011 events

The future of cat modelling

Marsh says ‘fundamental rethink’ needed; JLT argues models should be used more appropriately

Insurers face another year of hardship in 2013

Low interest rates, volatility, tough economy will continue to dog insurers - Deutsche Bank

How Sandy will help companies assess their US coastal exposures

PHOTO REPORT: AIR Worldwide discuss how Superstorm Sandy has informed the understanding of damage and vulnerability on the US East Coast.

REVEALED: Panama's top 25 insurers

Discover how local insurers are competing against the global players

How (re)insurers face an increasing risk of cyber attack

Fraudsters using new tactics to steal data

Five minutes with ... Mike McGavick

Mike McGavick, XL chief executive, and recently elected chair of ABIR

The growing need for climate forecasting

INSIGHT: Why Willis believes reliable global climate forecasts will soon sit alongside annual economic forecasts

Five minutes with ... Claire Souch

Claire Souch, vice-president for model solutions, risk modelling firm RMS

Insurers quick to reassure over Sandy

Super-storm among five-worst hurricanes

EAIC Preview: Capacity returns to Asia

Overcapacity is once again a concern in the Asian reinsurance market

Reinsurers should price for climate change

Munich Re ties increase in weather-related cats to warming climate

Where do we go from here?

The global reinsurance industry is in good financial shape, but that is just as well - it faces one of the most testing periods in its history. Here, some of the market’s leading minds discuss the six big challenges facing the industry - and what can be done about them.

GMR: Middle East – Living with the risks

The Middle East region paradoxically provides diversity in business and inherent, unavoidable risks

Joining forces: AIR and RMS collaborate

Reinsurers are used to blending different cat model output but a data-sharing agreement between AIR and RMS could make life a lot easier

April renewals: tough times ahead

Major catastrophes in Asia Pacific in 2011 are setting the tone for 1 April

Ariel – end of an era

Ariel Re is one of the last post-Katrina start-ups to be snapped up

Rates: could things be looking up?

Many reinsurers hit by 2011’s huge catastrophe losses are heartened by the increase in rates they have achieved this year. And the hardening looks set to continue

Counting the cost of Concordia

Losses from the sinking of the Costa Concordia cruise ship could go as high as $1bn, with reinsurers taking the biggest hit

Liability: Picking up the tab

Accidents like the Deepwater Horizon oil spill have woken underwriters up to the fact that offshore energy operations require much more complex cover

Bermuda: Out of the shadows

Long esteemed for its speedy approval of new companies and low taxes, Bermuda has lately lost some of its gloss. Lauren Gow examines the impact of market instability and asks if it can once again be a (re)insurance shining light

Baden-Baden: Finding a balance

Against the odds, some reinsurers are set to make a profit in this, their worst ever year, and yet the market remains balanced on a knife edge

The effect of excess: global outlook for rates

Bowring Marsh UK’s Andrew Chester spoke to Global Reinsurance at the Ferma conference in Stockholm about the downward and upward pressures on premiums

Comment: Omega - why Byrne has the upper hand

Both players offer 83p a share, but only Mark Byrne’s Haverford has Omega board approval

Feel the heat at the Rendez-Vous

For many, Monte Carlo is the place to take market temperature, with natcats the hottest topic this year

Solvency II: Test of time

As the timetable for Solvency II is stretched yet again – this time to 2014 – David Blackman looks at the hurdles encountered so far and the many still to be faced

What Beazley's results say about Lloyd's prospects

The first Lloyd's insurer results of the season contain some useful indicators of what to expect from others