June 22, 2022 - According to White House statements, the "United States, with the G7 and the European Union, will continue to impose severe and immediate economic costs on the Putin regime for its atrocities in Ukraine, including in Bucha." As one part of this effort, in a statement by the White House on April 6, 2022, "devastating economic measures to ban new investment in … [Read more...] about Exploring Russian sanctions and insurance coverage
Regulatory
Regulators Should Identify and Mitigate Climate Risks in the Insurance Industry
The insurance industry plays a critical role in both the financial system and the economy overall, with U.S. insurance companies writing approximately $1.5 trillion in premiums and holding trillions of dollars more in assets on their balance sheets.1 By underwriting the risks of millions of individuals, businesses, and public entities, the insurance industry provides an … [Read more...] about Regulators Should Identify and Mitigate Climate Risks in the Insurance Industry
Another Sunshine State Insurer Falls: Southern Fidelity Enters Receivership
Southern Fidelity Insurance Company has entered into receivership and is being liquidated, according to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulations (FLOIR). The state’s insurance office made the move on the basis that the insurer was impaired, insolvent or likely to become insolvent and that further transactions would be potentially hazardous to policyholders, creditors, … [Read more...] about Another Sunshine State Insurer Falls: Southern Fidelity Enters Receivership
Oklahoma Insurance Department Announces Inaugural Captive & Insurance Business Transfer Conference in August
OKLAHOMA CITY – Risk managers, business owners, regulators, financial executives and insurance professionals are invited to attend the Oklahoma Insurance Department’s (OID) first Captive & Insurance Business Transfer (IBT) Conference in Oklahoma City. The event will be held at the Omni Oklahoma City Hotel on August 24-25. This two-day conference will provide in-depth … [Read more...] about Oklahoma Insurance Department Announces Inaugural Captive & Insurance Business Transfer Conference in August
NY DFS Issues Circular Letter Addressing Acquisitions and Disclaimers of Control
On April 19, 2022, the New York Department of Financial Services (“NY DFS”) issued Insurance Circular Letter No. 5 (2022) (the “Letter”). The Letter, entitled “Acquisitions of Control and Disclaimers of Control”, was addressed to all New York domiciled insurers and other interested parties. The purpose of the Letter is to remind insurance industry participants of the … [Read more...] about NY DFS Issues Circular Letter Addressing Acquisitions and Disclaimers of Control
Decentralized Insurance – A New Frontier
If you are reading this Legal Update, chances are that you have already heard of Decentralized Finance (DeFi). Put simply, DeFi is a decentralized platform that enables peer-to-peer provision of various types of financial services without the need for a central intermediary (such as a bank). DeFi transactions are enabled by public blockchains, such as Ethereum, Solana, Terra … [Read more...] about Decentralized Insurance – A New Frontier
The End of Collateral for Non-US Reinsurers Is Here; An UPDATE on “Reciprocal Reinsurers”
As we previously reported a year ago, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) adopted amendments to the Credit for Reinsurance Model Law (#785) and Credit for Reinsurance Model Regulation (#786) to implement the certain international agreements to eliminate collateral requirements for qualifying reinsurers. The Models created a new category of reinsurers, … [Read more...] about The End of Collateral for Non-US Reinsurers Is Here; An UPDATE on “Reciprocal Reinsurers”
The Excepted Foreign State Club Gets Bigger
The Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act (FIRRMA) gave the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) enhanced powers in August 2018. Some reviews of foreign investments were mandated – especially investments in sensitive businesses by foreign governments and government-controlled entities. For the first time, FIRRMA expressly authorized review … [Read more...] about The Excepted Foreign State Club Gets Bigger
Legacy Solutions 2021
Captive Review releases its Legacy Solutions 2021 report which explores the legacy marketplace. Read Full Report Here... … [Read more...] about Legacy Solutions 2021
Making a run for it
This article was originally published in the Captive Insurance Times, issue number 233 and is republished here with permission. Carolyn Fahey of AIRROC and James Cameron of PwC UK discuss the current state of the run-off market, and how legacy solutions can be utilised to help insurers take advantage of the hardening market In the current environment of a hardening … [Read more...] about Making a run for it
For Now, No Need for Federal Cyber Reinsurance Backstop: Experts
Business owners need guidance rather than a federal reinsurance backstop to help them navigate an increasingly volatile cyber insurance market, a panel of experts said recently. “I don’t think a compelling case has been made yet for an explicit government intervention,” said Phil Edmundson, founder and CEO of Corvus Insurance, an MGA focused, in part, on providing specialty … [Read more...] about For Now, No Need for Federal Cyber Reinsurance Backstop: Experts
Federal Insurance Office Spells Out Priorities Regarding Climate-Related Financial Risks in Insurance Sector
On August 31, 2021, the Federal Insurance Office (“FIO”) issued a request for information regarding climate-related financial risk in the insurance sector. In the Request, the FIO laid out a conceptual framework for categorizing climate-related financial risk and its three pronged approach to implement portions of the President’s January 27, 2021 Executive Order on the Climate … [Read more...] about Federal Insurance Office Spells Out Priorities Regarding Climate-Related Financial Risks in Insurance Sector
Divided We Stand
American states have risen to the challenge. Faced with a decided advantage that re/insurers have to shed books of business under Part VII of the UK’s Financial Services and Markets Act, and responding to requests by US re/insurers for a similar mechanism, the American states have enacted a variety of legislative approaches to enable such transactions in the US. The two … [Read more...] about Divided We Stand
Arkansas Insurance Department Lauds New Insurance Business Transfer Law
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Earlier this spring, Arkansas joined a handful of U.S. states in adopting the new insurance business transfer model called the Insurance Business Transfer (IBT) Act. The law provides insurance companies an organized and efficient process to transfer blocks of insurance business from any jurisdiction to another insurance company in Arkansas, benefiting … [Read more...] about Arkansas Insurance Department Lauds New Insurance Business Transfer Law
From the Front Lines
On February 2nd Allstate Insurance Company filed the first plans of division in the U.S. market to restructure its insurance operations representing a significant step forward for the insurance industry to expand the application of restructuring mechanisms. The Allstate plans of division were filed with the Illinois Department of Insurance (the “Department”) pursuant to the … [Read more...] about From the Front Lines
State Regulatory Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Mitigating Risk for Businesses and Individual Insureds
The widespread effects of the Coronavirus 19 (COVID-19) pandemic have been unlike anything the world has experienced in more than a century. Governments worldwide have been forced to grapple with this unprecedented scenario and many have implemented measures aimed not only at curtailing the spread of the virus, but also designed to aid individual insureds and businesses to … [Read more...] about State Regulatory Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Mitigating Risk for Businesses and Individual Insureds
Exit Interview with NAIC President Raymond G. Farmer South Carolina Director of Insurance
It is a beautiful South Carolina fall afternoon, and the Director of Insurance, Ray Farmer, settles into his office to reflect on the remaining months of his term as President of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”), which he had assumed on January 1, 2020. I asked Director Farmer how the year has been, and after a long sigh and roll of his eyes, he … [Read more...] about Exit Interview with NAIC President Raymond G. Farmer South Carolina Director of Insurance
States introduce changes to promote legacy deals for insurance sector
Mergers and acquisitions among ongoing insurance sector companies are triggering more interest in runoff transactions to seal off old liabilities, and the trend has been boosted by legislation in various states seeking to simplify the process. Legislation passed in 2018 in Oklahoma led to the first transaction being approved in the state last year and several other states … [Read more...] about States introduce changes to promote legacy deals for insurance sector
Finality at Last. The First U.S. IBT is Complete
By On October 15th, 2020, the Oklahoma County District Court entered a Judgment and Order approving the first ever Insurance Business Transfer (“IBT”) in the United States.1 Much has been written and debated about the fledgling IBT process in the U.S.; concerns have been raised; perceived risks have been articulated, but now that a transaction has actually been completed, it is … [Read more...] about Finality at Last. The First U.S. IBT is Complete
Enstar Plan marks milestone proof of concept for US insurance business transfers
Court approval of an insurance business transfer (IBT) between two Enstar Group Limited affiliates provides a useful proof of concept for this legacy solution in the US. IBT provides insurers with an expanding regulatory toolkit alongside sale, reinsurance, and accelerated closure. So, what new doors does the first application of the Oklahoma IBT statute open and what does it … [Read more...] about Enstar Plan marks milestone proof of concept for US insurance business transfers
