Cayman Islands News

Massachusetts Fair Plan Gets $96M Catastrophe Bond

The Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association (MPIUA) has received a $96 million catastrophe bond issuance that transfers hurricane risk in Massachusetts to the capital markets, a number of reinsurers announced. Munich Re acted as joint lead manager in the transaction, …

Caribbean Countries Renew Hurricane, Earthquake Coverage

All sixteen members of the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF – www.ccrif.org) have renewed their policies for hurricane and earthquake coverage for the 2010/11 year beginning on June first, the start of the hurricane season. The National Oceanic and …

Ratings Roundup: Farmers Mutual (N.Z.), Shore Re, NGI

A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the financial strength rating to ‘A’ (Excellent) from ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and the issuer credit rating to “a” from “a-” of New Zealand’s Farmers’ Mutual Group (FMG or the group) and its subsidiary, FMG Insurance Limited …

Best Affirms Workers Comp Reinsurer Eastern Re’s ‘A-‘ Ratings

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating of “a-” of Cayman Islands-based Eastern Re Ltd. S.P.C., both with stable outlooks. The ratings recognize Eastern Re’s “strategic affiliation with the holding company, …

10 Catastrophe Bonds Closed Before Hurricane Season Opening

Reinsurers transferred $2.35 billion in catastrophe risk to capital markets before the U.S. hurricane season that began Tuesday, higher than the $1.4 billion last year, as the catastrophe bond sector starts to resume normal issuance after the global financial crisis. …

Best Affirms Ironshore’s ‘A-‘ Ratings; Outlook Stable

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the issuer credit rating (ICR) of “bbb-” of Ironshore Inc. ,based in the Cayman Islands, and the financial strength rating of ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and ICRs of “a-” of its operating subsidiaries. These include Ironshore Insurance …

Ratings Recap: Ageas (ex-Fortis), Island Heritage, New Century

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has affirmed its ‘A-‘ long-term counterparty credit and insurer financial strength ratings on AG Insurance and the operating entities of Millenniumbcp-Fortis Grupo Segurador S.G.P.S. S.A.; its ‘BBB-/A-3’ issuer credit rating on holding companies Ageas N.V. …

North Carolina Wind Pool Gets Extra Protection with $305M Cat Bond

North Carolina’s insurance pool for coastal properties now has an extra financial cushion in case a major hurricane strikes. Risk specialist Guy Carpenter & Co., LLC, and GC Securities, announced the completion of a $305 million, two-class note issuance from …

XL Shareholders Approve ‘Redomestication’ Move to Ireland

XL Capital Ltd announced from its Bermuda headquarters that ordinary shareholders have approved changing the parent holding company’s place of incorporation from the Cayman Islands to Ireland, following a special shareholders meeting. They also approved renaming the company from its …

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 …