Bermuda News

Argo Group Estimates Q1 2010 Cat Losses at $25 to $35 Million

The Bermuda-based Argo Group International Holdings announced that it expects its initial loss estimate from first quarter 2010 catastrophe events that have occurred to date will be $25 to $35 million, net of reinstatement premium and tax benefits. Argo said …

Growing Skepticism Ignores Climate Change Facts; Max Merges with Harbor Point; Terrorist Pirates Threaten the Malacca Strait

The Climate Change debate rolls on, but real decisions and effective actions remain elusive. Hardly a week goes by without a new report or study on the changes affecting the atmosphere, but the general public appears to be contracting “climate …

Innovative Use of Insurance Tools in Disaster Risk Management for Sustainable Development

The devastating effects of Hurricane Ivan in the summer of 2004, when it crossed the Caribbean Sea causing major damage in Grenada, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, produced one good thing. The Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) heads of …

AXIS Capital Prices $500 Million in Notes; S&P Assigns ‘A-‘ Rating

Bermuda-based AXIS Capital Holdings Limited announced that its indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary, AXIS Specialty Finance LLC, has priced an offering of $500 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.875 percent Senior Notes due 2020, fully and unconditionally guaranteed by AXIS Capital, …

Bermuda Concludes Cooperation Agreement with Swiss Regulators

The Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA) has exchanged Letters of Cooperation with the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA). The Letters “formally establish the basis for consultation, cooperation and coordination between the Authority and FINMA,” the bulletin explained. “They set the …

Florida Fines Homeowners Choice Over Reinsurance Contract

A Clearwater-based property insurance company is the latest Florida company to run afoul of Florida insurance regulators. Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty ordered Homeowners Choice Property & Casualty Insurance Co. to pay a $10,000 fine within 30 days for violating Florida’s …

Bermuda (Re)Insurance Association Releases Members’ 2009 Results

The Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers (ABIR) has released the 2009 global underwriting results for its 23 members, who write insurance and reinsurance from underwriting centers in Bermuda, Europe and the U.S. The announcement noted that the “23 (re)insurers …

Allied World Announces Executive Promotions

Bermuda-based Allied World Assurance Company Holdings has announced a number of senior-level promotions effective March 1, 2010. In Bermuda, Tracey Gibbons was promoted from Vice President, Casualty Treaty Reinsurance to Senior Vice President, Specialty Reinsurance. Marchelle Lewis was promoted from …

Best Affirms Chubb Group and Subsidiaries ‘A++’ Ratings

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A++’ (Superior) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “aa+” of the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies and its P/C members. Best also affirmed the ICR of “aa-“, senior debt …

Hiscox Estimates, Chile Quake, Xynthia Losses at $151 Million

Hiscox Ltd. announced from its Bermuda headquarters that, from initial estimates, based on an insured market loss of US$8 billion for the Chilean earthquake, and US$3 billion for windstorm Xynthia, it estimates a combined net loss of approximately £100 million …