The U.S. reinsurance market is very healthy. That according to Frank Nutter, President of the Reinsurance Association of America (RAA). Mr. Nutter says capital positions have been “strong and growing” thanks, in part to alternative capital vehicles. Market conditions are “very competitive” due to the amount of supply outpacing demand. Catastrophe losses continue to be a challenge, a threat, for …

According to Stefan Holzberger, Chief Rating Officer at A.M. Best, the property-casualty sector of the insurance industry saw improvements in performance. And with levels of capitalization “robust”, A.M. Best is maintaining a “Stable Outlook” on the Personal Lines, Commercial Lines and Reinsurance sector from a credit perspective. The reinsurance sector was only recently upgraded to “Stable” from “Negative”, despite heavy …

John Huff, President and CEO of the Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers (ABIR) discusses the health of the Bermuda market, as well as the challenges and opportunities he sees going forward. According to Mr. Huff, the Bermuda market is “very healthy.” The market is thriving even after the significant natural catastrophes of 2017 and 2018 “nat cats” including Hurricane …

The biggest issues facing reinsurance buyers today are growth, expense management and capital efficiency, according to Mike Schnur, a Partner at TigerRisk. Carriers are focused on growing profitably through new product lines, new teams, as well as mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Carriers feel that there are costs that can be reduced to reduce expense ratios. More and more carriers are …

Andrea Keenen, Senior Managing Director and Head of Industry Relations at A.M. Best Company, shares her thoughts on the “protection gap”, technology, and the impact of economic growth on insurance. The “protection gap” exists around the world, including the United States. Many people are simply not buying the insurance they need. She notes that governments around the work and the …

Kimberly Muccia, a Financial Analyst at A.M. Best Company, comments on the impact of catastrophic losses on the financial strength of insurers. Among the catastrophes affecting the auto and homeowner lines of business in 2018 were hurricanes and wildfires, resulting in about $17 billion for the Mutual Insurance segment alone. Despite the losses, Mutuals posted approximately a 6 percent increase …

Reinsurance Association of America (RAA) president Frank Nutter comments on the evolution of the “blended model” in reinsurance with alternative capital contributing to the way reinsurance provides capacity to insurance companies, not just in the catastrophe area. He sees reinsurance companies diversifying into the insurance business, viewing capital markets as “largely competitive…and complementary.” Mr. Nutter admits that reinsurers have struggled …

Jerry Theodorou, a Vice President of Insurance Research at Conning, previews a strategic study that looks at Mutual property-casualty insurance companies. According to Mr. Theodorou, there is an elevated degree of concern in five areas: technology, expense ratios, the war for talent, demographic and sociodemographic changes, and the future for personal auto. Conning is finding Mutuals are reacting proactively with …

In this edition of WRIN.tv’s Wide World of Risk, Mike Morrissey, President and CEO of the International Insurance Society, provides insight from his discussions with insurance company CEOs the world over. He sites four recurring themes dominating the minds of CEOs, including cyber risk, environmental risks, humanitarian disasters and insurtech. Mr. Morrissey says the “disaster aid mechanism that the world …

John Heft, SVP and Director of the Real Estate Practice at New Day Underwriting, reviews the dynamics of today’s Environmental Liability marketplace.  He notes that Contractors Pollution Liability is the largest among segments of the market, with 50-60 carriers offering coverage.  Mr. Heft says Contractors Pollution Liability coverage is very profitable, and coverage continues to expand as a result. With …

Mike Morrissey is President and CEO of the International Insurance Society (IIS), which serves as Secretariat for the Insurance Development Forum (IDF). The IDF is a public/private partnership led by the insurance industry and supported by international organizations such as the United Nations and the World Bank. Here, Mr. Morrissey discusses efforts targeting the ‘protection gap’ through risk pools, risk …

WRIN.tv catches up with Bradley Kading, President and Executive Director of the Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers (ABIR), to discuss the state of the Bermuda (re)insurance market, international concerns over Brexit and the U.S. presidential election, and opportunities he sees on the horizon. The Bermuda market suffered from soft pricing in 2016, with the ability to earn a profit …

WRIN.tv spoke with Chuck Chamness, President and CEO of the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC), about the state of the Mutual insurance sector. Mr. Chamness says 2016 was a good year for Mutuals; it was a good year for the insurance industry overall. Most Mutuals had profitable years and growth. He does, however, point to several challenges facing …

Current stability and underwriting profits are giving way to growing loss trends, investment headwinds and deteriorating profits. Still, that will not be enough to harden insurance markets in 2017, according to Jim Auden, Managing Director & Head of U.S. Property & Casualty at Fitch Ratings The overall industry is “pretty stable” right now, as is Fitch’s ratings outlook. That stability …

Monica Ningen, Head Property Underwriting US & Canada at Swiss Re, discusses how Hurricane Matthew served as a reminder for insurers. She also addresses the Protection Gap and product development and distribution strategies evolving in the insurance and reinsurance market. Hurricane Matthew, while not as big a loss as was predicted, was a reminder that a big event is possible. As a …

WRIN.tv spoke with NAMIC President and CEO Chuck Chamness during the Annual Convention of the National Association Mutual Insurance Companies in Vancouver. Mr. Chamness sees the creep of international regulation and technology among the issues facing mutual, and all insurers today. Technologies, he says, can provide ways for Mutuals to stay in touch with the customers…to help policyholders feel part …

Shaun Tarbuck, Chief Executive of ICMIF, the International Cooperative and Mutual Insurance Federation, comments on the growth in market share among Mutual Insurers, as reported by Swiss Re in a recent Sigma Report.  He sees three main reasons for the expansion: Trust, Improved Marketing, and greater customer awareness of alternatives that are “mutual.” Mr. Tarbuck also address challenges Swiss Re …

In this segment of a full-length interview with Shaun Tarbuck, the ICMIF Chief Executive  comments on the growth in market share among Mutual Insurers, as reported by Swiss Re in a recent Sigma Report.  He sees three main reasons for the expansion: Trust, Improved Marketing, and greater customer awareness of alternatives that are “mutual.” Mr. Tarbuck also address challenges Swiss …

Low interest rates, pressure on pricing, M&A activity, and disruptive technology are all shaping the outlook for the risk and(re)insurance industry for 2016. Here, WRIN.tv summarizes several of the recent forecasts published by industry analysts and thought leaders. Swiss Re sees economic momentum supporting growth in the insurance sector, even with headwinds like slower growth in China, lower commodity prices …