Ratings agencies
Q&A: John Milliken, Defaqto
John Milliken, chief executive of Defaqto, explains how insurers are using the agency’s product database to ensure their products are Consumer Duty compliant and reveals plans for new ratings.
The top 30 European Insurers 2021: A turbulent time
The impact of Covid-19 saw the European non-life insurance market report a decline in gross written premium and profit after tax. Mathilde Jakobsen, director, analytics, Amsterdam, AM Best, analyses the numbers and reports on the movements in the ranking…
Analysis: Europe's costliest weather event
Floods caused by torrential rain across western and central Europe in July are likely to become the continent’s costliest weather event, raising the question of how prepared at-risk communities and insurers are to deal with the onset of climate change.
Ratings agencies stable on CNA after cyber attack
AM Best and Fitch have both maintained their ratings for CNA Financial Corporation with a stable outlook after the insurer suffered a sophisticated cybersecurity attack on 21 March.
Mishcon de Reya sees instructions in Covid-19 reinsurance disputes
Law firm Mishcon de Reya, which represented the Hiscox Action Group in the business interruption insurance test case, has revealed it has seen instructions concerning the emergence of disputes in the global reinsurance market.
Ratings agencies see ‘meaningful debate’ between insurers and reinsurers over Covid-19 recoveries
Experts have reiterated that insurer ratings are unlikely to be hit by the outcome of the Supreme Court’s Covid-19 business interruption claims ruling but noted that there will “meaningful debate” over how much insurers can claim from their reinsurers.
Worsening outlook for UK non-life insurers, says Fitch
Fitch Ratings has a worsening outlook for the UK non-life company sector, Graham Coutts, senior director, head of EMEA reinsurance has confirmed with market combined ratios for motor and home likely to be above 100% in 2021.
Big three ratings agencies united in negative outlook for global reinsurers
Moody’s has revised its outlook for the global reinsurance sector to negative, citing weakened profitability in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, bringing it into line with other ratings agencies.
Blog: Credit investments - what challenges and opportunities do insurers face?
Despite increased sentiment and some rallies in markets, Lionel Pernias, head of buy and maintain at Axa Investment Managers believes that there are still plenty of challenges ahead for insurers' investments, particularly in their credit portfolios.
Ratings agencies assessing coronavirus impact on insurers' balance sheets
Ratings agencies have moved to assess the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on insurers. Among them is AM Best, which is developing stress tests that will assess the impact on insurance companies’ balance sheets.
Gilchrist Standard unveils broker rating platform
Start-up firm Gilchrist Standard has rolled out a ratings service grading brokers A, B or C.
Fitch negative on UK home and motor insurance markets for 2020
Fitch has declared a negative outlook for insurers in the UK home and motor markets in 2020 citing high claims inflation and a weak pricing environment.
European reinsurers well-placed to absorb cat losses and take advantage of continued price increases: Fitch
The big four European reinsurers are well capitalised to absorb catastrophe losses and build on pricing increases that are expected to continue into next year, Fitch Ratings has said.
Analysis: How insurers are preventing the Brexit brain drain
Insurers are coming up with ways to get round obstacles to doing business in Europe after Brexit
Trust Re ratings withdrawn due to financial statement delays
AM Best and S&P have withdrawn their financial strength ratings for Bahrain-based Trust Re, due to delays in the reinsurer publishing its financial statements for 2017.
Folgate assigned rating ahead of relaunch
Folgate, which will relaunch as an insurer next month, was assigned a financial strength rating of B from AM Best.
Hyperion takes on $115m of debt to fund further acquisitions
Hyperion is to continue on the acquisition trail, having raised $115m (£88.9m) through debt.
Pricing practice changes would put the onus on insurers to charge a 'fair price'
Large insurers with big books of home insurance business could lose out following pricing practices review, but profitability is unlikely to be "heavily dented", ratings agency says.
Ratings agencies shift Marsh outlook to negative over JLT deal
Marsh’s whirlwind acquisition of JLT surprised ratings agencies, as it was a “larger” deal than expected from the world’s biggest broker.
Updated: Ratings agencies split on Aspen reaction
Ratings agency Moody's has affirmed Aspen's rating following its $2.6bn (£2bn) deal with Apollo, while AM Best has placed it under review.
Reinsurers turn to M&A to stay relevant as challenging market forces bite
Global reinsurers have turned to mergers and acquisition deals over the last year in order to remain relevant in the face of challenging market conditions, but S&P maintains a neutral view on this trend.