Natural catastrophes (Nat Cats)
Bloodstock - infectious diseases: A stable condition
David Ashby reports on the likelihood and potential effects of a contagious diseases striking the equine industry and what is being done to help prevent this.
ILAA poised for official launch next month
The founding members of the Independent Loss Adjusters Association are poised to officially launch the new trade association next month.
Willis: Oil rig losses to push up rates
The Deepwater Horizon and Aban Pearl drilling rig losses, which have left energy insurers with a $795m (£542m) bill, will cause rate increases and destabilise the market, Wills has claimed.
Rethink: Destruction, predictions and a general election
Our roundup of readers' opinions reveals that rates are steady, though we may yet see the market turn this year.
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.
First named storm of 2010 Pacific hurricane season hits central America
Agatha, the first named storm of the 2010 East Pacific hurricane season was declared on Saturday, located just off the Guatemala coast before making landfall as a tropical storm along the border of Mexico and Guatemala at 22:40 UTC on Saturday.
Reinsurance rates decline at June Florida renewals
According to a report by reinsurance broker Guy Carpenter, Florida renewal rates have declined by 10-12% at renewal.
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.
US government predicts up to 23 Atlantic storms
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts “one of the most active [hurricane] seasons on record.”
AIR: Deepwater spill could affect hurricane season
A report from the modeling firm says that effects of the spill on hurricane season are likely to be minimal but there is a chance the oil could act to prevent or encourage hurricane formation.
Swiss Re successfully places $150m natural catastrophe risk for Allianz
Swiss Re Capital Markets has structured and placed $150m of insurance linked securities issued by Blue Fin covering US hurricane and earthquake risk.
Travel insurance specialist seeks provider for natural disaster cover
Almost three quarters (73%) of Holiday Extras customers surveyed over the last week would consider taking out some kind of natural disaster insurance cover in the future to avoid the stress and financial loss that resulted from the recent volcanic ash…
Munich Re issues $80m cat bond
Munich Re has obtained cover for US hurricane and European windstorm risks amounting to $80m from Irish SPV EOS Wind, which placed a catastrophe bond in the market.
XL boss bemoans 'heavy' Q1 catastrophe claims hit
XL Capital's property & casualty business's combined ratio slipped to 100.5% (Q1 2009: 92.1%) following what chief executive Mike McGavick described as "one of the heaviest levels of first quarter catastrophe activity in history".
Allianz hit by high cat losses
Allianz Group has reported that its property & casualty business wrote gross premiums written of €14.0bn (Q1 2009: €13.9bn) in the first quarter of 2010.
Allianz hit by high cat losses
Allianz Group has reported that its property & casualty business wrote gross premiums written of €14.0bn (Q1 2009: €13.9bn) in the first quarter of 2010.
Johnston Re cat bond completed
Johnston Re, the US hurricane catastrophe bond for the North Carolina Joint Underwriting Association (NCJUA) and the North Carolina Insurance Underwriting Association (NCIUA), closed on Monday at $305m.
Munich Re Q1 profits rise
Munich Re has reported a quarterly profit of €485m up from €437m in Q1 2009 due to large gains from the disposal of investments but natural catastrophe costs “unusually high.”
Validus reports loss of $118.4m in Q1
Validus Holdings has reported a net loss of $118.4m, or ($0.95 per diluted common share) for the three months ended 31 March 2010, compared with net income of $94.9m, or $1.20 per diluted common share, for the three months ended 31 March 2009.
Munich Re Q1 profits rise
Munich Re has reported a quarterly profit of €485m up from €437m in Q1 2009 due to large gains from the disposal of investments but natural catastrophe costs “unusually high.”
Zurich reports increased first quarter profits despite high volume of weather and catastrophe-driven events
Zurich has reported a business operating profit of $1.3 bn (£864m), an increase of 19%.
RSA reports premium rise of 5%
RSA has reported that net written premiums rose 5% to £1.9bn in the first quarter of 2010.
RSA reports premium rise of 5%
RSA has reported that net written premiums rose 5% to £1.9bn in the first quarter of 2010.
Assurant purchases $150m reinsurance through cat bonds
Assurant subsidiaries have entered into reinsurance agreements providing for $150m in multi-year, fully collateralized reinsurance from Ibis Re, a special purpose reinsurance company domiciled in the Cayman Islands.