2009
Aon: Cat Bonds, Collateralized Re to Grow in 2010
Dec/31/2009 02:38 PM Filed in: Catastrophe
Bonds | Reinsurance
Other alternative
structures, such as side cars and exposure swaps,
will not fair as well.
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Despite Few ’09 Mega Cats, Data Shows Loss Trends Rising
Dec/29/2009 11:49 AM Filed in: Reinsurance
| Modeling
Firms
Munich Re data
shows that severe storm frequency is becoming a
larger issue.
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Goldman Index Lacks Longevity
Dec/29/2009 09:49 AM Filed in: Life
Structures
The Wall Street
bank walks away from a life settlement
index. Read
More...
Aon Report: Biggest Cats Continue to Be Least Insured
Dec/24/2009 07:36 AM Filed in: Reinsurance
| Modeling
Firms
Beyond the
headline number of insured losses, developing
countries suffered greatly in 2009.
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Cat Bond Market Interest or Reinsurance Market Cost
Dec/22/2009 10:32 AM Filed in: Catastrophe
Bonds | Reinsurance
The upsizing of
the Travelers issuance may say more about pricing
of traditional reinsurance than investor interest
in catastrophe bonds.
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S&P Says Euro Insurance Struggles Will Continue Through 2012
Dec/17/2009 03:31 PM Filed in: Reinsurance
Poor investment
returns and Solvency II are muddying the outlook
for the European insurance industry.
Read
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PERILS Enters the Market with ILW Issue
Dec/17/2009 10:34 AM Filed in: Catastrophe
Bonds
The use of the
index in catastrophe bonds is expected
soon. Read
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Bermuda Stock Exchange Makes Push for ILS Listings
Dec/17/2009 09:11 AM Filed in: Regulation
| Catastrophe
Bonds
The island nation
is looking to leverage new regulatory
changes.
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Renewal Season’s Three Pricing Rules: Location, Location and Location
Dec/15/2009 10:32 AM Filed in: Reinsurance
Willis Re’s James
Kent says pricing on U.S. risks will vary
significantly based on geography.
Read
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Clark Launches Cat Review Product
Dec/08/2009 11:34 AM Filed in: Modeling
Firms
The former AIR
founder wants to review carriers’
modeling. Read
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RGA Triple X Loses Ratings
Dec/08/2009 11:15 AM Filed in: Life
Structures
Another Reg XXX
has its credit rating withdrawn.
Read
More...
PERILS Launches Euro Windstorm Product
Dec/03/2009 05:25 AM Filed in: Modeling
Firms
The insurance
industry consortium set up to provide detailed
European catastrophe data has come out with its
first product offering. Read
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Storm Frequency Becomes a Frequent Problem
Dec/02/2009 02:18 PM Filed in: Reinsurance
| Modeling
Firms
Munich Re and RMS
have rolled out products that target losses from
local, but severe, convective storms.
Read
More...
Cat Reinsurance Continues Growth With Big Price Swings
Dec/01/2009 09:03 AM Filed in: Reinsurance
Swiss Re expects
even greater adoption of traditional P/C
reinsurance. Cat bonds will continue on
rebound Read
More...
Protective Life’s ILS Ratings Pulled, but Unum Not Scared of its “Shadow”
Nov/23/2009 06:37 AM Filed in: Life
Structures
Moody’s continued
its rethink of the life securitization market last
week with two distinctly different
results.
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Glacier Warns it May Trigger Nelson Re
Nov/20/2009 05:04 PM Filed in: Catastrophe
Bonds
Glacier
Reinsurance said in a conference call this week
that it plans to trigger a $67.5 million portion of
the Nelson Re catastrophe bond.
Read
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Life Insurers are Being Pushed Towards “Alternative” Capital, Deloitte Says
Nov/18/2009 07:25 AM Filed in: Life
Structures
Carriers are
being squeezed and they need to monitor the capital
markets for securitization
opportunities.
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Cat Modelers Juggle for Position
Nov/16/2009 12:32 PM Filed in: Modeling
Firms
The influence of
any single catastrophe modeling firm within
insurance linked securities only tells a piece of
the market’s story. Read
More...
Carrier Solvency Becoming a Bigger Life Settlement Risk
Nov/11/2009 11:00 AM Filed in: Life
Structures | Regulation
The solvency of
the life insurance industry is perhaps the
least-understood and most-pernicious risk for the
settlement industry, professionals say.
Read
More...
Moody’s Pulls Ratings on Over $2.5 Billion Genworth Life Structures
Nov/10/2009 09:52 AM Filed in: Life
Structures | Reinsurance
Several of
Genworth Financial’s life securitizations had their
ratings withdrawn last week in what may be the
first of many for the life industry.
Read
More...
CEA Ups Reinsurance Over $200 Million, Taps Two New Firms
Nov/03/2009 06:31 AM Filed in: Reinsurance
California’s
state-sponsored earthquake insurer has increased
capacity. Lagging cat model changes kept premiums
high. Read
More...
World Bank Plans Global Push for MultiCat Program
Oct/21/2009 10:18 AM Filed in: Catastrophe
Bonds
Executives from
the World Bank lay out the organization’s plans to
tap the catastrophe bond market. Private market
risk modeling firms and banks will play key
role. Read
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GEM Launches Survey
Oct/13/2009 09:55 AM Filed in: Modeling
Firms
The open source
initiative is looking for feedback on developing a
global earthquake risks model.
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Third Quarter Cat Bonds Were Good, Fourth Quarter Needs to Be Great
Oct/13/2009 07:50 AM Filed in: Catastrophe
Bonds
New issues were
slightly ahead of maturing bonds in the summer
months. A fourth quarter rally is needed to keep
pace with full year projections.
Read
More...
Cat Bonds May Favor Caymans
Oct/07/2009 11:14 AM Filed in: Regulation
| Reinsurance
While Bermuda’s
new supervisory scheme gains attention, Cayman’s
cat bond track record will be difficult to
overcome. Side cars may be a better bet for
Bermuda.
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P/C Pros Defend Bermuda’s Domicile Dominance
Oct/05/2009 01:35 PM Filed in: Reinsurance
| Regulation
Concern over the
future of the insurance haven are misplaced.
Professionals argue the island is well positioned
despite well publicized tax flaps and
defections. Read
More...
Life Settlement Securitizations Need Warehousing, Liquidity to Flourish
Oct/02/2009 09:40 AM Filed in: Life
Structures
Market players
say few life settlement securitizations have the
scale to succeed. Read
More...
Bermuda Insurers Expect a Limited Role for ILS
Oct/01/2009 06:33 AM Filed in: Catastrophe
Bonds | Reinsurance
With balance
sheets shorn up, the island’s reinsurance players
will use catastrophe bonds and side cars as just
another “tool.” Read
More...
Mexico Cat Bond May Portend Similar Structures
Sep/30/2009 08:57 AM Filed in: Catastrophe
Bonds | Modeling
Firms
Conservative
collateral mixed with multiple perils could open
the door for other government sponsors.
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Consultant Wants to Double Check Modelers’ Earthquake Math
Sep/16/2009 01:16 PM Filed in: Modeling
Firms
Recent changes to
the California hazard map could mean a big drop for
insurer loss estimates, but Clark argues boards and
management need to understand the
science. Read
More...
Captives Remain Market Choice for Terror Cover
Sep/11/2009 12:44 PM Filed in: Regulation
| Reinsurance
As long as TRIA
remains in tact, domestic captives are the vehicle
of choice for terrorism cover. But NBCR remains
elusive for many. Read
More...
Financial Market Meltdown Pulls the Indemnity Trigger
Sep/09/2009 09:06 AM Filed in: Catastrophe
Bonds | Modeling
Firms
Indemnity cat bonds
are out of favor, causing industry index-based
products to flourish.
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Tinderbox: California Wildfires and the Mortgage Meltdown
Sep/01/2009 02:59 PM Filed in: Reinsurance
The housing market
could fuel wildfire woes in California.
Read
More...
Greek Government May Bear the Brunt of Wildfire Losses
Aug/31/2009 09:58 AM
Limited insurance and
a generous government payout will likely limit the
private market’s losses. Read
More...
Exposure Data Initiative Makes Jump into Modeling Firms
Aug/24/2009 01:33 PM Filed in: Modeling
Firms
AIR will become
the first cat modeler to adopt the data standard.
ACORD is hopeful that other firms will
follow.
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Morakot: A Major Test of Taiwan’s Developing Nat Cat Market
Aug/11/2009 07:43 AM Filed in: Reinsurance
The storm may be
the first time private reinsurers handle
significant losses from Taiwan.
Read
More...
The Impact of Catastrophe Lines on Select Reinsurers for the Second Quarter of 2009
Aug/07/2009 09:06 AM Filed in: Reinsurance
The second quarter
was a mixed bag for the world’s largest catastrophe
reinsurers. Read
More...
Cat Risk at Center of Offshore Tax Debate
Aug/03/2009 05:59 AM Filed in: Reinsurance
| Regulation
Changes in the
deductibility of foreign affiliated reinsurance
could alter the playing field in transferring U.S.
catastrophe risk.
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U.S. Thunderstorm Losses Echo Across Industry
Jul/28/2009 11:52 AM Filed in: Reinsurance
Insurers incurred
over $6 billion so far this year; that’s $1 billion
over the five year average.
Read
More...
Cat Bonds Continue Struggle with Hopes of a Fourth Quarter Rally
Jul/27/2009 08:25 AM Filed in: Catastrophe
Bonds
A new Guy Carp
report reveals that maturing bonds continue to
outpace new issuance. Pricing remains high as
investors focus on peak perils.
Read
More...
State Lawmakers Move Ahead with Cat Finance Proposal
Jul/16/2009 11:37 AM Filed in: Reinsurance
| Regulation
Industry reps
argue the focus on historical losses is flawed.
Plus, the public cat model bill pegged at $15
million. Read
More...
Reinsurance Mergers, ILS Opportunity
Jul/07/2009 11:12 AM Filed in: Reinsurance
As mergers drain
capacity for property/casualty reinsurance, the
door may be opening for ILS.
Read
More...
P/C Insurers Fighting to Keep Fixed-Income “Available for Sale”
Jul/01/2009 09:04 AM Filed in: Regulation
Accounting
changes could mean major headaches for
international insurers. Read
More...
S&P 2009 Insurance Industry Conference: Reserve Releases Could Leave Commercial P/C Carriers Exposed
Jun/05/2009 10:28 AM Filed in: Reinsurance
Commercial
property/casualty carriers have been drawing down
precious capital from reserve accounts, making them
vulnerable to longer-tail claims that could haunt
them for years to come. Read
More...
S&P Insurance Conference: P/C Reinsurers Tout Discipline, but Concede Pricing Climate is a Cat Challenge
Jun/05/2009 09:52 AM Filed in: Reinsurance
Property/casualty
reinsurers need to be more aggressive about pricing
climate change into catastrophe cover or they could
face large underwriting losses on the business
line. Read
More...
Orkney II Becomes Next Reg XXX Structure to Succumb to RMBS
May/13/2009 11:54 AM Filed in: Life
Structures
The default of a
Regulation XXX structure shows the market for
securitizing premium-term life reserves has some
additional healing before it can return
normalcy. Read
More...
TRIA Rollback Ups Industry Threat Level
May/12/2009 10:30 AM Filed in: Regulation
| Reinsurance
The new U.S.
federal budget calls for slashing the $100 billion
government-provided backstop for terrorism
insurance, surprising many in the property/casualty
industry who thought the subsidy was safe from
tinkering until 2014.
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Moody’s to Issue Life Securitization Methodology
Apr/27/2009 09:57 AM Filed in: Life
Structures
The report should
refocus the idle sector. Read
More...
AIG, Danny Pang and Due Diligence
Apr/17/2009 11:32 AM Filed in: Life
Structures | Regulation
The troubles of a
high profile investor and the first successful
large securitization both point to the need for
increased due diligence in life
settlements.
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It Ain’t Easy [Quantifying] Being Green
Apr/15/2009 09:22 AM Filed in: Reinsurance
| Modeling
Firms
Green building
practices will have an impact on rebuilding costs
after a loss event, but how much remains in
question for insurers.
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Connecticut Ponders Cat Fund
Apr/03/2009 10:54 AM Filed in: Regulation
| Reinsurance
Another coastal
state is pondering the future of insuring
catastrophe risk. Read
More...
Risky Science Podcast: Southern California Earthquake Threat
Apr/02/2009 12:31 PM Filed in: Risky Science
Podcast
The director of the
Souther California Earthquake Center discusses
recent earthquake swarms and the challenges of
quake forecasting. Read
More...
SIFMA Conference: Cat Bond Secondary Market Ballooned with Sellers
Mar/27/2009 12:58 PM Filed in: Catastrophe
Bonds | Reinsurance
Circumstances
created a healthy secondary market for catastrophe
bonds in 2008, even if it was mostly
sellers. Read
More...
SIFMA Conference: Collateral Remains King
Mar/24/2009 04:14 PM Filed in: Catastrophe
Bonds | Reinsurance
The risks and
rewards of Treasuries, LIBOR Indexes and tri-party
repos are being debated by the cat bond
industry. Read
More...
SIFMA Conference: Catastrophe Bonds at an “Awkward Age”
Mar/23/2009 02:53 PM Filed in: Catastrophe
Bonds | Reinsurance
Credit losses,
illiquidity and sell offs have stunted the market’s
growth. Participants look towards mid-year
reinsurance renewals for signs of
recovery. Read
More...
ILS Conference Twitter Coverage
Mar/17/2009 02:11 PM
Check out
RiskMarketNews Twitter page for updates on upcoming
industry conferences. Read
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States Consider South Carolina Incentive-Based Disaster Model
Mar/03/2009 11:50 AM Filed in: Regulation
| Reinsurance
Tax incentives,
savings accounts may be pushed in coastal cat
states.
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State Lawmakers Get Cat Model Update
Mar/02/2009 10:35 AM Filed in: Regulation
| Modeling
Firms
Government officials
move ahead with study over industry
objections. Read
More...
STOLI Puts Settlements on the Rocks
Feb/25/2009 09:46 AM Filed in: Life
Structures
State regulation
expands while federal watchdogs mull
oversight. Read
More...
New PERILS Program Underscores Exposure Risk
Feb/20/2009 12:31 PM Filed in: Modeling
Firms | Reinsurance
Getting exposure
data correct is key to model worries.
Read
More...
Australian Bushfires May Force Rethink on Prevention
Feb/11/2009 08:35 AM Filed in: Reinsurance
| Regulation
Local insurers
will handle the losses but prevention practices may
change. Read
More...
Klaus Brings European Windstorm, Triggers Back Into Focus
Jan/27/2009 11:39 AM Filed in: Modeling
Firms | Catastrophe
Bonds
Over €2 billion
insured loss is a possibility, but ILS trigger
questions will need to wait.
Read
More...
Risky Science Podcast: The Global Earthquake Model
Jan/22/2009 08:20 AM Filed in: Risky Science
Podcast
Dr. Ross Stein of
the U.S. Geological Survey discusses the open
platform initiative to understand earthquake
risk. Read
More...
New President, New Challenges for Risk Transfer
Jan/20/2009 10:21 AM Filed in: Regulation
| Reinsurance
Inauguration day
could be the start of major legislative and
regulatory changes for U.S.-based alternative
strategies. Read
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P/C Reinsurers, Carriers Consider the Capital Markets Closed
Jan/14/2009 12:14 PM Filed in: Reinsurance
Executives argue
capital is scarce, expensive and everyone is doing
just fine anyway. Read
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Repairing Cat Bond Collateral Damage
Jan/12/2009 11:09 AM Filed in: Catastrophe
Bonds
Lehman Brothers’
collapse has made investors in catastrophe bonds
once bitten and twice shy.
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A Great Job Market, Actuarially Speaking
Jan/04/2009 12:12 PM Filed in: People
Moves
Number crunchers
with an ILS background demand a higher premium as
actuarial pros escape the financial industry’s
employment meltdown. Read
More...