Earthquakes
US west coast at risk of “mega-quake”
The west coast of North America, the Lesser Antilles, Chile, Sumatra and Japan are all at risk from subduction zone “mega-quakes” in the near future according to Professor Bill McGuire of the Aon Benfield UCL Hazard Research Centre.
EMB: Company market lags behind Lloyd's on commercial performance
Commercial property insurance rates are unlikely to rise significantly any time soon despite attempts by some companies to talk up the market, according to an assessment by actuarial consultancy EMB.
Aon lists five earthquke hotspots
Aon Benfield has identified the Caribbean, Cascadia in North America, Chile, Indonesia and Japan as areas where mega-earthquakes of moment magnitude (Mw) 8+ are most likely to occur in the future.
Aon Benfield outlines South African earthquake threat
Aon Benfield has claimed that Cape Town could be affected by an earthquake close to magnitude 7.0 but with a very low probability.
Munich Re CEO warns over risk pricing after years of low losses
The long-term trend towards ever higher natural catastrophe costs continues, according to Munich Re, which has warned of complacency over risk pricing.
Results: Rollercoaster results characterise Q1 2010
As first-quarter results emerged around the globe in May, we have seen some clear winners and losers with many suffering from heavy catastrophe losses, writes Katherine Blackler.
Aon Benfield: Reinsurance capital reaches record rates
Reinsurer capital rose to record $434bn (£295bn) despite the Chilean earthquake and European windstorm Xynthia, the Aon Benfield Renewals Update report has revealed.
Experts warn of further Icelandic volcano disruption
Experts from the newly formed UCL Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction today warned that with the high frequency of eruptions of Katla, an eruption in the short term is a strong possibility.
Bangladesh, Indonesia and Iran top natural disaster ranking
Bangladesh, Indonesia and Iran have been rated as the nations most at risk from extreme weather and geophysical events according to a new study ranking 229 countries on their vulnerability to natural disasters.
Lloyd's: Deepwater and Chilean earthquake bill could top $2bn
Lloyd’s announced today that it estimates its net claims before tax from the earthquake in Chile to be in the order of US$1.4bn.
Munich Re most protected from earning volatility claims Fitch
The recent capital markets crisis has created considerable challenges for European reinsurers seeking to minimise the volatility seen in their financial results over the past few years, according to Fitch Ratings.
Bowring Marsh opens Tokyo office
Bowring Marsh, the specialist international placement broker at Marsh, has expanded its footprint in Asia with the opening in Tokyo of its eighth office.
Markel growth despite quake
Markel International reported a 13% growth in gross written premiums in the first quarter of the year to $208.2m (Q1 2009: $185.0m). However, the insurer's combined ratio deteriorated to 109% (Q1 2009: 97%), which it attributed to $17m or 12 points of…
Catlin confident Deepwater and Chile quake will have positive impact on pricing
Catlin this morning reported gross premiums written increased by 9% to US$1.3bn during the three month period ended 31 March 2010. Using constant exchange rates, gross premiums written rose by 5%.
Catlin confident Deepwater and Chile quake will have positive impact on pricing
Catlin this morning reported gross premiums written increased by 9% to US$1.3bn during the three month period ended 31 March 2010. Using constant exchange rates, gross premiums written rose by 5%.
Hannover Re non-life book hit by major losses
Hannover Re has reported what it described as "vigorous premium growth" in the first quarter of 2010.
Mapfre profits dip 4.8% as it takes €80.8m.earthquake hit
Mapfre has reported a 8.9% rise in revenues in the first quarter of 2010 to €5892.4m, and a net attributable result of €273.1m.
QBE CEO content with alllowances for large claims after $470 Q1 hit
QBE has revealed that its estimated large risk and catastrophe claims, which are defined as net claims of $2.5m and above, for the year to date are $470m. This compares with an estimated net $430m for the same period in 2009.
Zurich puts quake bill at $200m
Zurich announced today that based on preliminary estimates, it expects aggregate claims payments related to the earthquake in Chile of approximately $200m before tax.
Zurich puts quake bill at $200m
Zurich announced today that based on preliminary estimates, it expects aggregate claims payments related to the earthquake in Chile of approximately $200m before tax.
Quake kills up to 400 in China’s Qinghai province
Thousands are feared injured after a magnitude-6.9 quake hit western China's Qinghai province.
Novae predicts $10-15m earthquake loss
Lloyd's insurer Novae Group today announced initial estimates of losses from the Chilean earthquake and from Windstorm Xynthia.
Quake hits Indonesia
An earthquake has struck off the coast of Indonesia, news reports have said, however so far no significant damage has been reporter.
Beazley latest Lloyd's insurer to give first quarter nat cat estimates
Beazley today announced its estimated net losses arising from the earthquake in Chile over the weekend of 27 to 28 February 2010 to be in the range of $55m to $75m.