Hurricanes
Two hurricanes predicted to strike US in 2012
Hurricane activity this season is expected to be close to average, with scientists predicting four tropical storms including two hurricanes to strike the US between June and November.
Benign weather and rate rises result in record reported profits for insurers
Insurers have reaped the rewards of benign weather and rate rises in catastrophe hit regions, but analysts warn the worst could be yet to come.
Energy: Overcapacity causing problems as market rates stagnate
It has been a tumultuous few years for the insurance industry, and not many sectors have been affected as much as energy.
Munich Re transfers US hurricane and European windstorm risks to the capital markets
Munich Re has acquired coverage for US hurricane and European windstorm risks with a total volume of $75m from the special purpose insurer Queen Street V Re Limited, which in turn has placed a catastrophe bond for this amount in the capital markets.
Reinsurance - January renewals: Toughen up
Despite the catastrophes of 2011, the predicted — and much needed — January renewal rate hardening has failed to materialise.
Spotlight on environment: Providing protection
With climate change increasing the likelihood of natural disasters, insurers must influence the debate on how businesses and governments manage risks such as supply chain failure.
News analysis: Insurers and reinsurers must start to focus on emerging ‘peak’ risks
Natural catastrophes: Will previous ‘cold spots’ be targeted by insurers and reinsurers?
Capital adequacy: Alternative finance
With Solvency II just 12 months away, and 2011 an unprecedented catastrophe year, how difficult will it be for insurers to attract equity or secure alternative funding?
Cat losses for 2011 second highest on record
Total insured natural catastrophe losses of $107bn (£69bn) in 2011 were the second highest on record - surpassed only by the 2005 total of $120bn.
Amlin purchases $150m worth of international cat cover
Amlin has revealed that it has acquired coverage for US hurricane, US earthquake and European windstorm perils of up to $150m (£95.7m) from Bermudian special purpose insurer, Tramline Re.
Japan to set up Asian nat cat insurance plan
Japan is planning to establish a large-scale insurance system encompassing the Asia-Pacific region to cover developing countries hit by devastating earthquakes, typhoons and other disasters.
Hurricane season to cost $5bn
It is estimated that the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season will cost in the region of U$5bn, according to Risk Management Solutions.
Keeping pace with the evolution of risk
In the last 18 months, risk managers have faced a complex set of challenges.
Munich Re launches $100m cat bond
Munich Re has a $100m catastrophe bond to cover US hurricane and European windstorm risks.
AIR estimates insured losses from Jova less than $52m
Hurricane Jova damaged limited as storm hit sparsely populated areas in Mexico and then weakened.
AIR estimates Hurricane Jova losses
Catastrophe modelling firm AIR Worldwide says category 2 Hurricane Jova will have caused less than $52m of damage as it hit a sparsely populated stretch of Mexico’s Pacific coast.
View from the top: Model for the future
Changing catastrophe models will continue to demand, not replace, underwriting expertise, says Matthias Horntrich, chief underwriting officer, international property, XL.
Event insurance: Dancing in the street
Next year could be huge for the events industry, with the Diamond Jubilee and the London Olympics taking place. With a host of celebrations occurring, can the events insurance sector capitalise?
Hurricane Irene losses valued at $2.82bn
Insured industry losses resulting from Hurricane Irene have been given a final Paradex index value of $2.82bn by Risk Management Solutions.
View from the top: Business as usual
In May, when I last wrote this column, all eyes were on mid-year reinsurance renewals given the pummelling that the year’s natural catastrophes had already delivered to reinsurers.
Catastrophe poll result
Find out if the market voted for government to be the fund of last resort in catastrophes?
No market swing despite cat loss accumulation
Loss adjuster Crawford & Company has already settled approximately $1.05m (£653 000) worth of losses from the “high frequency, low severity” claims resulting from Hurricane Irene.
Comment: The more things change...
Thirty years ago we saw recession, a royal wedding and riots. Sound familiar?
Monte Carlo Rendezvous: A year of catastrophes
2011 has seen a series of serious natural catastrophes follow fast on those of 2010. How will this shape debate next week at Monte Carlo?