Natural catastrophes (Nat Cats)
AIG Q2 2010 results reveal losses
AIG has reported a net loss attributable to AIG of $2.7bn for the second quarter of 2010, compared to $1.8bn in the second quarter of 2009.
Hardy profit nosedives in first half results
Hardy Underwriting Bermuda's profit before tax has fallen to £0.8m (H1 2009: £7.8m) after it was hit by a string of catastrophic events.
Severe global flooding causes widespread losses in Asia
Aon Benfield has released the latest edition of its monthly cat recap report, which provides an analysis of worldwide catastrophic events in July.
Brit cuts UK private motor book by 60% as it reports £72.8m profit
Brit Insurance this morning reported that profit before tax excluding the effect of foreign exchange on non-monetary items increased by 12.2% to £72.8m for the first six months of 2010 (30 June 2009: £64.9m). It recorded a profit before tax of £77.5m (30…
Beazley gives warningover energy rate spike
Worldwide energy insurance rates will continue to harden in 2010 due to the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster, with a further spike possible at the reinsurance renewal season, Beazley has claimed.
Transatlantic Holdings records fall in income
Transatlantic Holdings has recorded a second quarter net income of $111m, or $1.70 per common share (diluted), compared to $112m, or $1.68 per common share (diluted), for the same quarter last year. It saw a $14m hit from the Deepwater Horizon explosion.
Arch sees income rise $85m
Arch has recorded net income of $237m, or $4.45 per share for the second quarter of this year, compared to $152.1m, or $2.43 per share for the same period last year.
Montpelier Q2 net written premiums up 7%
Reinsurer Montpelier claims that premium growth in the last quarter has been driven by its Lloyd's and US operations, particularly its marine book.
Bonnie causes minimal damage but disrupts spill clean-up
Tropical Storm Bonnie, the second named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, degenerated into a remnant low over the weekend after clipping southern Florida.
Scor reports 19% growth at treaty renewals
P&C and specialty treaty renewals at end of June have resulted in premium growth of 19% at constant exchange rates, whilst fully respecting the technical underwriting profitability criteria.
How many letters?
Tim Evershed investigates the property and catastrophe market in the early stages of the Atlantic and Pacific hurricane seasons
New analysis: Rates decline at July renewals
Prices fell for most peak lines at the 1 July 2010 renewals, with moderate pressure on property rates in regions with catastrophe activity, writes Katherine Blackler
Hurricanes - financial impact: A storm is coming
After a good year in 2009 for the reinsurance industry, Philip Alexander warns of the perils heralded by the Atlantic forecast for this year, as 2010 looks to be beset by stormy weather.
RIMS fights foreign insurer tax hike
The Risk and Insurance Management Society has pledged to continue its opposition to legislation that would increase taxes on foreign-based insurance companies.
Singapore insurance market poses threat to London warns Marsh
The London market needs to think about how it is responding to the expanding Singapore market if it is going to be competitive with rates.
Haiti and Mozambique most vulnerable to economic losses from natural disasters
Italy, Japan, China, USA, Spain and France also rated “high risk” on The Natural Disasters Economic Loss Index (NDELI), released by risk intelligence and ratings company, Maplecroft.
‘Modest’ changes in final spec for QIS5
The final specification for the fifth quantitative impact study for Solvency II has been released with “modest” changes for general insurance.
View from the top: The approved model
The Australian capital requirements and the Dutch pension funds experience show that few insurance companies have achieved the Holy Grail of an approved internal model. However, as Solvency II approaches, insurers are looking beyond the standard formula…
Interview - Stefano Tranquillo: Sticking to the principle
FM Global's Stefano Tranquillo may have a diverse background but, he tells Lynn Rouse, the company has achieved first-class underwriting results using a risk management model that has changed little in the 175 years since it was founded.
Caribbean risk pool prepares for "above normal" hurricane activity
All 16 members of the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility have renewed their policies for hurricane and earthquake coverage for the 2010/11 year beginning on 1 June – the start of the hurricane season.
Hurricane Alex makes landfall on Texas-Mexico border
Hurricane Alex drenched the Texas-Mexico border in the early hours on Thursday as the powerful storm slammed into Mexico's Gulf coast, spawning tornadoes and flooding towns, but sparing US oil wells.
Alex becomes a hurricane
Alex has intensified to become the first hurricane of the 2010 season, making it the first June hurricane in the Atlantic since 1995. Hurricane forecast to hit Texis/Mexico border on Thursday.
QBE to combine London market teams
QBE is to merge its direct and reinsurance personal accident teams to create a single London market unit with a combined GWP of £45m, operating out of Lloyd’s.
Cat bond prices fall
Catastrophe bonds have seen their sharpest slump since 2008 as forecasters predict a busier-than-usual Atlantic hurricane season.