Reinsurance giant Swiss Re has taken over from Munich Re at the top of AM Best’s ranking of the world’s largest reinsurers for companies that report under IFRS 17, with Berkshire Hathaway taking the top spot for non-IFRS 17 reporters, based on year-end 2024 figures. It’s important to remember that AM Best now ranks the top 50 global reinsurers in two lists. Companies that … [Read more...] about Swiss Re & Berkshire Hathaway move to the top of AM Best’s global reinsurer rankings
Industry News
Intersection of legacy and ILS could drive deal flow in 2025: PwC
According to PwC, the legacy insurance and reinsurance market continues to evolve, as highlighted by insurance-linked securities (ILS) transactions announced by legacy and run-off reinsurance specialist Enstar in the second half of 2024, while the firm also suggests that the convergence of traditional legacy and ILS “could be a source of future deal flow in 2025.” In a new … [Read more...] about Intersection of legacy and ILS could drive deal flow in 2025: PwC
Lloyds introduces new legacy review and approval requirements for 2025
All new legacy deals will require pre-transaction review and approval by Lloyd's as of 1 January 2025. Read More... … [Read more...] about Lloyds introduces new legacy review and approval requirements for 2025
U.S. Runoff Industry
MULREADY MINUTES PODCAST Mulready Minutes Podcast series examines key topics in the insurance industry from a regulator’s point of view. Featured guests are top executives in insurance and private sector companies. Get inspired by professionals from around the globe and in all sectors as they share their challenges, triumphs, and successes. Expand your knowledge and learn … [Read more...] about U.S. Runoff Industry
Legacy market begins to bounce back after challenging start to 2024
R&Q, a distressed legacy acquirer that was managing circa $1bn in reserves at the end of 2023, entered liquidation in June, after years of heavy legacy deteriorations and delays to the sale of its profitable fronting arm Accredited. In August, Darag announced a deal to offload its North America and Bermuda entities to focus on its European operations. Darag Bermuda had … [Read more...] about Legacy market begins to bounce back after challenging start to 2024
GB D&O Market Update H1 2024
After significant rate reductions throughout 2023 and early 2024, median rates are no longer dropping as drastically as they have over the last 3 years which is in line with our expectations given the significant reductions that have already taken place. Nonetheless, our initial data for H1 2024 indicates 72% of our clients that renewed in Q2 saw their primary rates decrease … [Read more...] about GB D&O Market Update H1 2024
After a landmark year, what’s on the horizon for global reinsurers?
Carlos Wong-Fupuy (pictured above), senior director at AM Best, discussed the findings of a recent report, noting that despite global challenges in benchmarking due to the adoption of IFRS 17, the reinsurance segment continues to expand. Returns on equities in the sector are also expected to remain well above the cost of capital. When asked about a key theme from … [Read more...] about After a landmark year, what’s on the horizon for global reinsurers?
Best Practice Handling for Legacy Claims
KEY FINDINGS • 62% of carriers globally say that legacy claims challenge profitability and operational efficiency. • General liability claims managed by Gallagher Bassett saw a 34% lower duration to close in North America. • 69% of carriers in North America have increased premiums due to the impact of social inflation. Legacy claims and their impact Legacy claims … [Read more...] about Best Practice Handling for Legacy Claims
Bermuda’s ILS sector needs to show it is sustainable, says Artex’s Faries
After a successful 2023, the insurance-linked securities sector needs to show it can produce sustained returns on equity to its investors, according to Kathleen Faries. The chief executive officer of Bermuda:Re+ILS company of the month Artex Capital Solutions, said the sector saw large capital inflows from “opportunistic” investors in 2023 and now needs to sow underwriting … [Read more...] about Bermuda’s ILS sector needs to show it is sustainable, says Artex’s Faries
Illinois Appoints New Insurance Director
Effective April 15, 2024, Illinois will have a new Acting Insurance Director, Illinois State Senator Ann Gillespie. Senator Gillespie will step down from her Senate seat and will need to be confirmed by the Senate in her new position. Read More... … [Read more...] about Illinois Appoints New Insurance Director
Going retro: How recycling capital through customised and structured solutions can generate better returns
A tougher economic backdrop combined with a tightening of reinsurance capacity is prompting Asia Pacific insurers to look at optimising their balance sheets and consider new operating models. Jim Atwood and Roshan Perera explore the rising popularity of retrospective solutions in the region. Reinsurance renewals during 2023 revealed a strong emphasis on price and contract … [Read more...] about Going retro: How recycling capital through customised and structured solutions can generate better returns
Retrospective solutions: Where legacy and reinsurance meet
In recent years the retrospective market has evolved considerably, relieving (re)insurers of unwanted prior-year liabilities (PYL) in new ways and in greater volumes. Some recent transactions would not have been possible five years ago, yet the conditions now exist for further significant advances in the next two years. While retrospective solutions are many and varied, they … [Read more...] about Retrospective solutions: Where legacy and reinsurance meet
Congress Reflection
Success is best when shared. Check out IRLA’s flipbook reflection on this year’s Congress. Read More... … [Read more...] about Congress Reflection
Alternative capital flat at $100bn high at mid-year 2023: Aon
Alternative reinsurance capital, largely deployed in insurance-linked securities (ILS) formats, remained static at its $100 billion at the mid-point of 2023, according to insurance and reinsurance broker Aon. The latest analysis of global reinsurance capital from Aon’s Reinsurance Solutions division, presented just prior to the annual Monte Carlo Rendez-Vous reinsurance … [Read more...] about Alternative capital flat at $100bn high at mid-year 2023: Aon
Global Life and Health Insurance Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A)
Each year, Milliman studies the trends in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) of global health and life insurance companies, with a particular focus on data and deals in North America, Europe, and Asia. In 2022, life and health insurance transaction activity was down sharply. Our research points to the likely causes and projects the landscape for future life and health insurance … [Read more...] about Global Life and Health Insurance Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A)
Opportunities increase as IRLA Congress highlights the need for expertise
Steven Goate reveals discussions at the Insurance and Reinsurance Legacy Association (IRLA) Congress 2023, point to a dynamic market and one which will require a range of services which will see Davies in demand. Once again, the IRLA Congress saw the market come together for a sold-out event, which was not short of topics to discuss. Those topics were broad and diverse, with … [Read more...] about Opportunities increase as IRLA Congress highlights the need for expertise
Swiss Re ILS deal maps the future of ILS: Lohmann
Swiss Re’s recent innovative ILS deal, completed with JP Morgan and designed to help the reinsurer manage its capital, has the potential to grow the sector exponentially, says one of the industry’s pioneers Dirk Lohmann, speaking ahead of the conference Re/insurance Outlook Europe, being held in Zurich in June. New types of ILS deals designed to help re/insurers manage … [Read more...] about Swiss Re ILS deal maps the future of ILS: Lohmann
Non-life insurance run-off deals review Q1 2023
Q1 2023 saw a number of super-sized non-life runoff transactions being announced continuing the trend observed in our 2022 year-end Deals review. 11 deals in total were disclosed in this period, whilst an estimated combined US$6.7bn of gross reserves was transferred to legacy market participants. This estimate represents a record high for any one quarter and equates to 83% of … [Read more...] about Non-life insurance run-off deals review Q1 2023
Observations on the Banking Crisis of 2023
The unprecedented events of the last two weeks in the banking industry have been breathtaking. As the banking and capital markets turn their focus to the Federal Reserve and Washington, the crisis of confidence that has ping-ponged between California, New York and Switzerland has caused many clients and investors to change their relationships in the banking world. Let’s review … [Read more...] about Observations on the Banking Crisis of 2023
Potential Impact of the Silicon Valley Bank Insolvency on the Insurance Industry
Financial institutions, including Insurers, are considering the potential impact of the Silicon Valley Bank’s (“SVB’s”) insolvency. SVB and its parent holding company have provided funding and debt financing to InsurTech Insurers and other venture investment firms. Some of those Insurers have already publicly announced the extent to which the SVB Insolvency has had an impact. … [Read more...] about Potential Impact of the Silicon Valley Bank Insolvency on the Insurance Industry