Natural catastrophes (Nat Cats)
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.
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.