US Reinsurance Market “Healthy” While Facing New Threats & Opportunities 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 … Read More
Reinsurance upgraded to “Stable” as A.M. Best cites possible “inflection point” 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 … Read More
“Healthy” Bermuda market opportunistic as it fights “protectionism” – ABIR CEO 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 … Read More
Growth, expenses, capital & technology affecting cedents – TigerRisk partner 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 … Read More
RAA’s Nutter discusses “blended model” and “new normal” in reinsurance sector. 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 … Read More
Willis Re CEO sees brokers reinventing themselves…delivering value through innovation. As part of the Innovation Executive Video series, Willis Re’s Global CEO John Cavanagh talks about how brokers are reinventing their role and delivering value through innovation. Mr. Cavanagh says the insurance industry is going through significant change, and technology is driving much of that change. While insurance plays an important role in society, he believes the industry is “open for disruption” given … Read More
Major CAT loss unlikely to move buyer’s market in reinsurance – RAA President. Frank Nutter, President of the Reinsurance Association of America (RAA), says the reinsurance market has not changed much in previous years. “Capacity exceeds demand…It’s a buyer’s market.” Reinsurance brokers report that the “rate threshold” has not been reached as of January, and probably won’t be for the foreseeable future. He believes that even a major catastrophe probably would not likely … Read More
Reinsurers look to economy, privatized flood insurance and cyber for growth. WRIN.tv speaks with Frank Nutter, President and CEO of the Reinsurance Association of America (RAA), about the state of the reinsurance market, capital growth, a US/EU covered agreement, and growth. According to Mr. Nutter, the market remains highly competitive. Capacity and capital increased in 2016, which contributed to rates being flat to down – a good thing for buyers. Capital … Read More
A Trump Administration… Insurance Leaders Comment on Impact to Industry. On the Road at the Joint Industry Forum in New York, WRIN.tv asked several insurance trade association executives to consider the impact of the new Trump Administration on various sectors of the insurance industry. Here, we share the hopes, concerns and expectations of: Michael Morrissey, President & Chief Executive Officer of the International Insurance Society (IIS) David Sampson, President and … Read More
Property Reinsurers face up to climate change, “leveling” ILS and broker placement platforms. With the property reinsurance market experiencing soft pricing for some time, WRIN.tv spoke with Jim Larkin, Head of Property Underwriting at Munich Re America, about the impact of Hurricane Matthew, and other factors affecting the market. While it is unclear if Hurricane Matthew would have any impact on reinsurance renewals, Mr. Larkin believes the storm was a reminder about the … Read More
(Re)insurers seeking growth are running to emerging risks…rather than away – Aon Benfield’s Head of Strategy With losses from Hurricane Mathew and other catastrophe losses, 2016 has seen the highest loss activity in three years. Even so, according to Andrew Marcell, Global Head of Strategy at Aon Benfield, the impact on rates in property reinsurance will be fairly minimal. There are numerous emerging risks from new technologies and the sharing economy. For instance, Aon reports a … Read More
Lessons from Matthew, Protection Gap & (Re)Insurance Growth Strategies with Swiss Re’s Ningen 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 … Read More
Top 3 Reinsurance Challenges & a “Game-Changer” in Auto – Munich Re America Chief Underwriting Officer The top three challenges facing reinsurance underwriters today are too much supply versus demand, new technology and data, and cyber risk. That, according to Martin Neuhaus, Chief Underwriting Officer of the Reinsurance Division at Munich Re America. Mr. Neuhaus says the oversupply of capital demands discipline from underwriters, and new technology and the amount of data now available require underwriters … Read More
Swiss Re exec on Mutual market share, disruptive technologies, nat cat market and growth Keith Wolfe, President US P&C at Swiss Re, provides an overview of a recent Sigma Report on the Mutual sector, the impact of disruptive technologies, the nat cat market and growth. Commenting on Swiss Re’s Sigma Report, Mr. Wolfe that says the Mutual Insurance sector is stronger than ever, with an increase in market share since the 2008 financial crisis. Mr. Wolfe sees technology and … Read More
Outlook “Negative” for reinsurers in search of relevance – Rating Agencies The 2016 Monte Carlo Rendez-vous drew many of the industry’s top reinsurance professionals to discuss the state of the market. The top ratings agencies also released their verdict on the market. A.M. Best maintained its negative outlook due to weak operating fundamentals exacerbated by continued weakened demand from primary insurers as they retain more business to leverage their own excess capacity. According to … Read More
Louisiana floods to hit reinsurance – push FEMA to change Flood Maps More than 60,000 homes have been damaged in 20 parishes impacted by recent flooding in Louisiana. According to Louisiana’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, 75% of homes are a “total loss” in Livingston. U.S. flood events are largely paid for by the FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and applicable primary insurance. The office of Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards … Read More
Reinsurer profits could see squeeze if normal Cats return A new report from S&P Global says the strong capital position in the reinsurance sector makes it more resilient to extreme events. Meanwhile, demand for cover against high-probability exposure has fallen and most reinsurers have taken defensive actions, retroceding more high-frequency risk. As earnings deteriorate, however, some reinsurers’ exposure to one-in-10 year events has increased. Due to increased Cat exposures, S&P … Read More
Global Reinsurance Outlook “Negative” – Life Reinsurance “Stable” A.M. Best Assistant Vice President Greg Reisner discusses the rating agency’s ‘negative’ outlook for the global reinsurance sector and the new realities facing the market due to convergence capital and mergers and acquisitions. According to Best’s Assistant Vice President William Pargeans, the life reinsurance segment outlook remains ‘stable’ despite consolidation that has left the market top heavy with lower cession … Read More
E&S carriers using fac reinsurance to manage “fringe” risk outside treaties. Steve Eilers, Manager of Gen Re’s L.A. operation, speaks with WRIN.tv about the property facultative reinsurance market, the tropical storm season and government insurance programs. He says market conditions in the property fac market are “competitive.” Mr. Eilers says Gen Re is seeing clients take more net in treaties, which is creating opportunities in the fac market. He sees ceding … Read More
Hi frequency/low severity of Nat Cats put cedents in driver’s seat Joe Louwagie, AVP at Property Claim Services (PCS-a Verisk Analytics business), joins WRIN.tv to assess the 2015 Nat Cat season, its impact on the insurance, reinsurance and capital markets, and how developments in data management and technology are affecting risk and claims management. Mr. Louwagie says the current Cat season continues a trend PCS has seen for the past few … Read More
