Ironshore Aviation Division Enters Global Space Insurance Market

Ironshore Inc.’s aviation division has entered a treaty reinsurance program with the Starr Group to provide protection against commercial satellite risk. The global space insurance program provides coverages for satellite Launch Insurance and In-Orbit Insurance underwritten through Starr Space. Ironshore Aviation will assume 10 percent of the global facility underwritten on a quota share basis with other leading insurance carriers.

Launch Insurance for commercial satellites is underwritten in the event of an unsuccessful launch of the spacecraft on a per launch basis up to a predetermined insured value that can exceed $200 million per insured. The Starr facility insures up to $30 million on a single launch and $35 million on a dual satellite launch with Ironshore providing 10% of the coverage. In-Orbit Insurance protects against operational risk throughout the design life of the satellite with annual policies that can extend to twelve years, of which seven years is the typical insurance coverage period.

“Space insurance coverage is a highly specialized field, requiring disciplined technical underwriting expertise,” said Gerald Frick who heads Ironshore Aviation. “Satellite owners recognize that the launch and in-orbit operations are subject to catastrophic losses, and seek insurance protection to maximize the operational life of the spacecraft.”

Terms and conditions of the insurance policy are structured specifically to address the design details and technicalities of each launch vehicle and are arranged a year in advance of the scheduled launch date. Insurance protection is for satellite replacement coverage only with performance deductibles incorporated into the policy language for determining spacecraft value and establishing premium rates for the launch event or operational time period.
Source: Ironshore

Topics Trends New Markets Aviation Market