The insurance industry has shown through the years that it has a remarkable ability to respond to challenges, and to adopt and adapt, whether this relates to a new financial or regulatory framework or to respond to demands for new products and solutions. One of the biggest challenges that the European industry faced in recent years was the implementation of Solvency II, the … [Read more...] about The Legacy Market: Innovation. Flexibility. Creativity. Capital Appeal. That Order.
Regulatory
Is Reg. 68 Good for the Industry? A Chat with Dwyer, Broccoli and Brennan
At the Commutation & Networking Forum in October, 2016, the authors sat down with Elizabeth Dwyer, Jack Broccoli and Christopher Brennan to talk about the Rhode Island statute. Ms. Dwyer is the Rhode Island Superintendent of Banking and Insurance in the Department of Business Regulation. Jack Broccoli is in the Rhode Island Department of Banking and Insurance and … [Read more...] about Is Reg. 68 Good for the Industry? A Chat with Dwyer, Broccoli and Brennan
Rhode Island Regulation 68: Voluntary Restructuring of Solvent Insurers Act
Recently Rhode Island revised its Voluntary Restructuring of Solvent Insurers Act as implemented by DBR Regulation 68. This is, in many respects, modeled after the UK’s Part VII Transaction, which, subject to court approval, enables companies to transfer/novate a book of business (and divest itself of all residual liability), to another unrelated insurer that assumes all … [Read more...] about Rhode Island Regulation 68: Voluntary Restructuring of Solvent Insurers Act
Brexit Implications for the Runoff Business: A Macroeconomic Perspective
On June 23, 2016, the United Kingdom held a referendum on membership in the European Union (EU), which the country had joined in 1973. As a surprise to many, the referendum resulted in a majority favoring an exit. The Brexit vote prompted a change in political leadership in the following month, with Theresa May being appointed Prime Minister. On March 29, 2017, the United … [Read more...] about Brexit Implications for the Runoff Business: A Macroeconomic Perspective
Does Covered Mean Equal? EU and U.S. Bilateral Agreement on Insurance and Reinsurance
On January 13, 2017, the Secretary of the Treasury (“Treasury”), the U.S. Trade Representative (“USTR”) and the European Union (“EU”) took the industry and regulators alike by surprise when they issued a press release announcing the completion of negotiations and the finalization of the “Bilateral Agreement Between the European Union and the United States of America on … [Read more...] about Does Covered Mean Equal? EU and U.S. Bilateral Agreement on Insurance and Reinsurance
Can U.S. Insurance Companies Afford Not to Restructure?
Part 3: The case for expanding the Rhode Island Insurance Business Transfer to other lines of business Current global market conditions have increased pressure on business leaders to focus on efficient capital management with an eye towards long-term trends. Rhode Island’s amendments to Insurance Regulation 68 are the first step in providing greater flexibility to the U.S. … [Read more...] about Can U.S. Insurance Companies Afford Not to Restructure?
Cybersecurity: What are insurance entities required to do?
While US regulators attempt to require insurers to be more aggressive in protecting consumer data from cyber attacks, in August 2016 the NAIC’S Cybersecurity Task Force released an amended version of its draft Insurance Data Security Model Law. The NAIC model law proposes to establish “uniform” standards for data security and investigations, in addition to how to notify about … [Read more...] about Cybersecurity: What are insurance entities required to do?
Sixth Circuit Follow-Up: Court Interventions in Arbitration Proceedings
In the Fall 2016 edition of AIRROC Matters, we discussed a series of contentious arbitration disputes between Meadowbrook and National Union that led to a noteworthy Sixth Circuit decision concerning the involvement of courts in arbitration proceedings and the impact of ex parte communications. In August 2016, in Star v. National Union, 2016 WL 4394563, at *1 (6th Cir. 2016), … [Read more...] about Sixth Circuit Follow-Up: Court Interventions in Arbitration Proceedings
Your Deal: Large Deductible Programs
Years ago a large global insurer, working to grow its book and establish a presence in a new market, underwrote a large deductible workers compensation account that, under normal circumstances, might have either been rejected or set at a very high premium with substantial collateral to reduce the insurer’s risk. However, neither occurred because the carrier was anxious to … [Read more...] about Your Deal: Large Deductible Programs
Pro Hac Admission in Connecticut: Implications for Insurers and Attorneys Alike
The State of Connecticut recently revised its judicial rules to require that any attorney not admitted in Connecticut be admitted pro hac vice prior to appearing on behalf of a client before any state or municipal government agency. As with any pro hac vice admission, out-of-state attorneys will be required to fill out the requisite application and retain local counsel as a … [Read more...] about Pro Hac Admission in Connecticut: Implications for Insurers and Attorneys Alike
Trash or Treasure. Are Insolvencies and Reinsurance Asset Sales Inevitable?
The purchase of distressed debts is not a new thing. Losses generated in the 1990’s by rocketing APH exposures and the dawn of a new era of litigation saw billions of dollars of additional liability flood the market, and the run-off industry as we know it was born. Today, it is estimated that the value of non-life European run-off stands at around €247bn and this is anticipated … [Read more...] about Trash or Treasure. Are Insolvencies and Reinsurance Asset Sales Inevitable?
Lessons of ROM v. Continental: Who Decides Whether Claims are Timely and Under What Circumstances?
Assume you are a reinsurer and you receive a number of arbitration demands. At least one of the demands pertains to a claim (“OLD CLAIM”) where you denied reinsurance coverage nearly 10 years ago. You agree to consolidate the arbitrations. You also name your arbitrator as a precaution because the treaties require that an arbitrator be named quickly and you still have to … [Read more...] about Lessons of ROM v. Continental: Who Decides Whether Claims are Timely and Under What Circumstances?
Lifting the Veil on Arbitration Proceedings: Who’s Your Counsel: Disqualification of Counsel by Courts
In the Spring 2016 issue of AIRROC Matters, we featured Part 1 of a multipart arbitration series by Michael Goldstein and Dan Endick titled, “When Courts Peek Under the Arbitral Veil: the Role of the Courts in Managing Your Reinsurance Arbitration”. The following article is Part 2, “Who’s Your Counsel.” The final article in the series – Part 3 – will appear in a subsequent … [Read more...] about Lifting the Veil on Arbitration Proceedings: Who’s Your Counsel: Disqualification of Counsel by Courts
Legacy Attracts New Investors: Hadley Explains How “Runoff” Equals “Payoff” for Investors
The legacy sector offers expanding investment opportunities as more companies prepare to sell off non-core or non-performing portfolios while investors look for new outlets. Barbara Hadley reports. This could well herald a boom time for the legacy market; an increase in sellers, favourable regulatory climate and capital looking for somewhere to go. According to a Swiss Re … [Read more...] about Legacy Attracts New Investors: Hadley Explains How “Runoff” Equals “Payoff” for Investors
When Courts Peek Under the Arbitral Veil: The Role of the Courts in Managing Your Reinsurance Arbitration
Arbitration in general is intended as an alternative to litigation in the courts. For good reasons, courts rarely intervene in pending arbitrations and instead require the parties, under most circumstances, to wait for a final award before seeking redress for perceived grievances in the arbitration process. Indeed, the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. § 1, et seq. (“FAA”), … [Read more...] about When Courts Peek Under the Arbitral Veil: The Role of the Courts in Managing Your Reinsurance Arbitration
Blending Free Market Economy with a Sense of Reality: The Federal Insurance Office
Update Since the time when I penned this article that appeared in the Spring 2011 issue of AIRROC Matters, a lot has changed. At the end of 2014, the U.S. still topped the world market with a GDP of $17.3 Trillion, up $4.4 Trillion from year end 2009. China was second, with a GDP of $10.4 Trillion. The Federal Insurance Office published its Annual Report for the U.S. … [Read more...] about Blending Free Market Economy with a Sense of Reality: The Federal Insurance Office
Insurance Business Transfer: Rhode Island’s Answer to Part VII
Something new and important is coming to the $200 billion plus run-off market in the U.S. Proposed amendments to Insurance Regulation 68 are pending in the State of Rhode Island (RI) and are expected to be approved later this year. These amendments have the potential to invigorate and transform the market, similar to what has occurred in the UK run-off market over the last … [Read more...] about Insurance Business Transfer: Rhode Island’s Answer to Part VII
Test Drive the Future of Runoff: The Vermont Legacy Insurance Management Act of 2014
Companies and investors in the runoff space are generally aware that the State of Vermont’s new Legacy Insurance Management Act (LIMA), signed into law on February 19, 2014, has created a novel runoff business transfer method in a runoff market that has long been in need of growth and innovation, but the Act, its background and its potential applications have only begun to be … [Read more...] about Test Drive the Future of Runoff: The Vermont Legacy Insurance Management Act of 2014
Hydraulic Fracturing: A Retrospective of Key Legal Disputes in 2014 and Predictions for the Future
In 2014, hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) remained a hot national topic. Often making headlines, fracking also made its mark in litigation where key battles wound their way through the courts. Reviewing just some legal developments confirms the industry faces unique, sometimes prejudicial, challenges despite continued growth. For example, the Eighth Circuit’s decision in … [Read more...] about Hydraulic Fracturing: A Retrospective of Key Legal Disputes in 2014 and Predictions for the Future
Welcome to the New World of Run-Off. Part 2: New Restructuring Opportunities for the U.S. P&C Market
The global financial crisis of several years ago forever changed the way business looks at itself – as well as the way the public and regulators view business. The outlook of most business leaders has changed from the pre-2007 expected future of unlimited growth to a more somber and practical outlook – with more focus on potential loss of wealth, asset protection, increased … [Read more...] about Welcome to the New World of Run-Off. Part 2: New Restructuring Opportunities for the U.S. P&C Market