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 …

Kevin Kelley, CEO of Ironshore, addresses the key concerns of risk managers today, including emerging technology, the “Trump effect”, PPPs, M&As, and more. One of the biggest concerns of risk managers is technology and how digital transformation will affect their business and how exposures may change as a result. Emerging technologies are having a significant impact on risk managers. According …

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 …

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Dec. 13 2016 /PRNewswire/ — A new update from insurance broker Lockton shows it’s still a buyer’s market in commercial insurance. Major changes have created strong competition, ample capacity and lower prices during the past several years. Lockton’s December 2016 P&C Market Update shows that the competitive landscape continues, as does a soft market. Merger and acquisitions, …

Strengthens Medicare Advantage Business in Key Markets Positions Company for Growth with Addition of High-Quality Medicare Advantage Plans Transaction Expected to be Accretive to Earnings TAMPA, Fla. and WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Nov. 17, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) and Universal American Corp. (NYSE: UAM) announced today that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which WellCare …

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 …

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 …

A.M. Best Vice President Andrew Colannino explains the rating agency’s ‘negative’ outlook on the commercial lines segment of the U.S. property/casualty (P&C) industry, despite relatively solid aggregate results over the past several years. He says A.M. Best’s expects more downgrades than upgrades in the coming year. The negative outlook largely reflects the concerns that have been prevalent in recent years: …

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 …

Mergers and Acquisition activity shows no signs of slowing down. Here Assistant Vice President William Pargeans and Vice President Robert DeRose discuss the motivations of insurers, across sectors, to seek out mergers and acquisitions. According to Mr. Pargeans the life insurance industry is very mature and the only way for insurers to grow in this sector is to buy blocks …

In highlights from the First Monday series, A.M. Best VP Robert DeRose, along with Senior Financial Analysts Greg Reisner and Mariza Costa, discuss the M&A trend among global reinsurers and the desire for scale and relevance. For some reinsurers, Mr. Reisner says M&As are part of a strategy, while others see it as an “ultimatum” because current strategies are not …

In a recent report, Deloitte said the rush of reinsurance M&A activity could be a “double-edged sword” for the Lloyd’s market. Reinsurers seem eager to grab a bigger piece of the Lloyd’s pie, but Deloitte said consolidation could hurt the market in the long run. Recent deals include Fairfax Financial’s proposed acquisition of Brit…and XL’s deal to acquire Catlin.

Toronto-based Fairfax Financial is acquiring London’s Brit Plc for £1.12 billion. The deal is aimed at expanding Fairfax’s international footprint, making it a major player in the Lloyd’s market.

Mike Goldman, COO at NFP, joins WRIN.tv to discuss some of the challenges facing the life and benefits sector, from the economy, pricing, technology, transparency and more. According to Mr. Goldman, “Everything is affecting us from the economy, to legislation to regulation…(it has) put a premium on being a sophisticated advisor in the marketplace.“   For NFP, which is involved in …