Major loss
Allianz worst hit European insurer by Q1 nat cats
First quarter natural catastrophe losses cost Allianz €311m, more than any other insurer.
Scor issues first UK cat bond in vote of confidence for London ILS regime
Scor has become the first reinsurer to use the new UK ILS regime to issue a catastrophe bond.
Nat Cats push specialty market into costliest year on record
The UK specialty insurance market suffered the costliest year on record in 2017 as natural catastrophe activity took its toll on underwriting performance.
Berkshire becomes third-largest reinsurer on back of AIG deal
Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway became the world's third-largest reinsurer in 2017, ending European dominance over the top four.
Analysis: Tracking rail risks
Railways are travelling through a changing landscape of severe weather risks and terror perils, but perhaps none so arresting as the cyber threats raised by their new reliance on digital connectivity
This Month in Post: shame, sunshine and an opportunity for change
Insurers have published their gender pay gap statistics. It was never going to go well and the industry's shameful figures further highlight that change is needed. With a bank holiday weekend approaching, perhaps it would be prudent to use that extra day…
Rate increases remain inconsistent, says JLT
Rate increases remain inconsistent with rises largely limited to loss effective lines of business, according to Jardine Lloyd Thompson.
Insurers should re-examine attitude to chemical weapons following Salisbury incident
The insurance sector should re-examine its attitude towards business interruption and chemical weapon exclusions in the wake of the Salisbury incident, according to Pool Re.
Analysis: Liability war rages over Grenfell-style cladding replacement claims
A battle is raging over who is liable for costs to replace cladding on high-rise residential buildings across the country
Underwriting pressure drives negative outlook for London market
Underwriting pressure from the high cost of doing business have caused Fitch Ratings to report a negative sector outlook for London market reinsurance and insurance in 2018.
Analysis: Business interruption - Lost in translation
Specific terms and technical meanings can be misinterpreted and the difference in language used by insurers and insureds could lead to underinsurance when taking out business interruption cover
Cat bond issuance hits $3.1bn in Q1
Insurers and reinsurers sponsored $3.1bn (£2.2bn) in catastrophe bonds in the first quarter of 2018, up 34% from the first quarter of 2017, according to data analytics provider PCS.
Downstream energy sector suffers worst loss in nearly a decade
The downstream energy sector suffered its worst loss record for nearly a decade in 2017 with low rating levels exacerbated by one of the worst catastrophe loss years on record.
Trump signs flood programme extension despite veto threat
The National Flood Insurance Programme would be extended to 31 July as part of a $1.3trn federal spending package signed by President Trump on Friday despite threatening to veto the bill earlier the same day.
This week in Post: Why insurers should head to a Maths Jam
This week I attended my first Maths Jam, a gathering of self-confessed maths enthusiasts who get together in a pub and share stuff they like.
Underlying performance needs to improve, says Lloyd’s CFO
The underlying underwriting performance of Lloyd’s syndicates needs to improve following the market's first loss in six years, John Parry has said.
Blog: How to make your cyber offering stand out
Cyber insurers can gain market share by differentiating their products. Benedict McKenna, vice-president and London operations claims manager at FM Global, explains how.
Munich Re to cut 900 jobs as reinsurer targets profits surge in 2018
Munich Re is to axe 900 jobs as part of cost saving efforts in its reinsurance business.
Loss adjusting and insurtech gains fail to stem Charles Taylor profit decline at full year
Well-publicised gains in Charles Taylor’s loss adjusting and insurtech arms saw revenues jump 25% in 2017 but failed to push the insurance services provider to profit.
TMK syndicates forecast 2017 loss
Tokio Marine Kiln expects its Lloyd’s syndicates to post a loss for the 2017 year of accounts as a result of fourth quarter catastrophe losses.
Nat cats push Lancashire into loss at full year
Lloyd’s insurer Lancashire reported a net loss of $71.1m (£50.5m) for 2017 as fourth quarter natural catastrophes took their toll on its bottom line.
Axis reports GWP boost despite underwriting loss
Axis Capital's insurance segment saw fourth quarter gross written premiums increase 47%, bolstered by the group’s acquisition of London market carrier Novae.
‘Tidal wave’ of alternative capital to disrupt reinsurance market: Aon CEO
Reinsurance renewal rates were beaten down on 1 January by alternative capital markets, Aon Benfield’s CEO said, warning they are poised to be a major disrupter against traditional reinsurance in future.
This week in Post: Results, rumour and regulation
This week the results season well and truly got underway with big names in the UK’s insurance sector reporting back to market on how they fared over 2017.