Latest Trends Headlines

All the headlines from our Trends Topic Page, ordered by recency.

Cryptoassets Increase Financial Risks in Developing Economies, Study Says

Aug 23 2023 // Cryptoassets, peddled as the future of finance, have not only failed to deliver on their promise but are themselves adding to financial risks in developing economies, according to a paper from the Bank for International...

Florida OIR Tells Citizens to Rethink Maximum Rate Increase on HO Policies

Aug 22 2023 // When Citizens Property Insurance Corp. in June filed for the maximum rate increases allowed by its statutory glidepath, many in the Florida insurance industry saw it as a good thing, needed to help steer policyholders back...

Private Flood Insurers See Opportunity as NFIP Increases Rates

Aug 21 2023 // While the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) rolls out a new rating program generating premium increases for many policyholders, the private flood insurance market has seized the opportunity to grow its market share...

Study: Motor Vehicle Thefts Soar in First Half of 2023

Aug 21 2023 // During the first half of 2023, vehicle thefts soared while most other crimes declined, according to a new study of crime trends in 37 cities released by the Council on Criminal Justice. Continuing an upward trajectory,...

Agency M&A Down 24% in First Half 2023: OPTIS

Aug 21 2023 // Investment banking and financial firm OPTIS Partners said the count of agency mergers and acquisitions during the first half of the year was 359, down 24% from 475 during the same time last year. “The drop-off in...

Risks & Opportunities in Emerging Cannabis Products

Aug 21 2023 // New cannabis products like gummies, drinks and new consumables bring the promise of exponential growth and the normalization of public consumption, promising to significantly reshape the business landscape for insuring...

S&P Revises Outlooks for Munich Re, Swiss Re While Affirming AA- Ratings

Aug 18 2023 // S&P Global Ratings has revised its outlooks for Munich Re and Swiss Re, affirming both reinsurers’ “AA-” issuer credit and financial strength ratings. Munich Re’s outlook was revised to positive...

Survey Finds Homeowners Are Putting Off Repairs, Reducing Homeowners Coverage

Aug 18 2023 // Many U.S. homeowners are delaying home repairs, potentially putting their property at risk of damage, according to the latest Nationwide Agency Forward survey. A quarter of the homeowners surveyed (26 percent) are unaware...

Markets/Coverages: Skyrisks, Quotech Link Up to Insure Advanced Air Mobility Sector

Aug 17 2023 // Skyrisks Ltd., the newly incorporated, London-based managing general agent, has linked with Quotech, the underwriter-led developer of integrated technology platforms for underwriters and brokers, to deliver insurance...

FedEx Faces Safety Issues as Driver Accidents, Insurance Costs Rise

Aug 16 2023 // FedEx Corp. is pressuring delivery contractors to improve safety after mounting accidents helped trigger a near-tripling of insurance costs over the decade. FedEx is requiring contractors that deliver packages on behalf of...

UK Insurer Aviva Eyes Lloyd’s of London Entry, Posts Above-Forecast H1 Profit

Aug 16 2023 // Aviva posted an above-forecast rise in first-half operating profit on Wednesday, helped by strong performance in general and health insurance, and its chief executive said the insurer was interested in entering the...

Increased Vehicle Sales, Search for Lower Rates Boost Auto Insurance Shopping

Aug 15 2023 // Auto insurance shopping rates rose 12% year-over-year in the second quarter of 2023, according to a new TransUnion report. While vehicle sales played a role in the increase, TransUnion said in a press release that the...

Estimate of Losses From Devastating Hawaii Wildfires Increases to $14B-$16B

Aug 14 2023 // AccuWeather increased its estimate of the total damage and economic loss from the devastating wildfires burning in Hawaii to $14 to $16 billion. The update follows AccuWeather’s preliminary estimate last week of...

Rising Flood Risks Threaten Many Water and Sewage Treatment Plants

Aug 14 2023 // The crack of a summer thunderstorm once comforted people in Ludlow, Vermont. But that was before a storm dropped eight inches of rain on the village of 2,200 in two days last month. And it was before the devastation of...

NOAA Increases Prediction for Atlantic Hurricane Season to “Above-Normal”

Aug 11 2023 // The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is increasing its prediction for the ongoing 2023 Atlantic hurricane season to “above-normal” activity. Warmer-than-normal sea surface temperatures across...

Surplus Lines Premium Increases 16% to Nearly $36 Billion Through June

Aug 10 2023 // Surplus lines premium reached nearly $36 billion through the first six months of 2023, according to the 2023 Midyear Report of the U.S. Surplus Lines Service and Stamping Offices. Premium increased about 16% overall...

Lloyd’s Leads Insurers in Raising Rates, Cutting Taiwan Cover as Conflict Risks Rise

Aug 10 2023 // Lloyd’s of London underwriters are leading insurers in raising rates and cutting the amount of cover they offer for risks involving Taiwan as concerns grow over possible military action by China, industry sources...

NC DOI Arrives at 4.5% Increase in Auto Rates for Next Two Years, 9.9% on Dwelling

Aug 9 2023 // North Carolina’s insurance commissioner has negotiated a smaller increase on auto insurance rates than the state’s rating agency had requested. The North Carolina Rate Bureau in February requested an average...

Cargo Theft Increased 57% in Q2; High-Value Shipments Targeted

Aug 9 2023 // There were 582 supply chain events reported across the United States and Canada in the second quarter of 2023, a 57% increase when compared to the second quarter of 2022, according to the latest CargoNet report. Ongoing...

TWIA Board Votes Down Recommended Rate Increases

Aug 9 2023 // Though an analysis found rates at Texas’ insurer of last resort to be about 20% inadequate, its board on Tuesday did not come to an agreement to file for any rate increases. The board of the Texas Windstorm Insurance...