With more than 50 percent of the country’s population living in coastal counties, there is an urgent and extensive need to convince consumers to adopt a long-term view of catastrophic risk. That is the conclusion of a symposium organized by …
Swiss Re has obtained another $170 million in protection through the Successor X Ltd. catastrophe bond program, covering Australia earthquake, North Atlantic hurricane and California earthquake risks. “The combination of Australia earthquake risk with US peak natural catastrophe risks is …
As California’s third elected insurance commissioner, Steve Poizner has had a wealth of accomplishments. Among other things, he: reduced the Department of Insurance’s operating budget by 13 percent, which allowed him to reduce fees for agents, brokers and insurers and …
Lloyd’s year-end review shows that, like the rest of the industry it faced a number of challenges in a difficult year. Low interest rates diminished investment returns for insurers, while the soft market provided little scope for premium increases. “Plenty …
Flagstone Reassurance Suisse SA and Risk Management Solutions have announced the successful placement of $210 million of multi-peril Montana Re 2010-1 Notes, the second offering sponsored through the Montana Re shelf program. RMS noted that it had “conducted the expert …
Chartis announced that it has entered into a reinsurance transaction with Lodestone Re, which will provide $450 million of protection to Chartis against U.S. hurricanes and earthquakes. “This represents a substantial increase from the $250 million of protection originally sought …
A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating (ICR) of “a” of Bermuda-based PMG Assurance Ltd., both with stable outlooks. The ratings reflect PMG’s “excellent capitalization, historically strong operating performance and …
A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A+’ (Superior) and issuer credit ratings of “aa” of Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty North America (AGCS NA), which includes Allianz Global Risk US Insurance Company, Allianz Underwriters Insurance Company, …
Natural and man-made catastrophes topped the list of the most significant events in 2010, with three major earthquakes, a near record number of hurricanes, some serious typhoons and windstorms, a volcanic eruption and a calamitous oil spill that blighted the …
In 2009, independent insurance agents and brokers faced a “perfect storm” with the economic downturn, premiums at a fraction of what they used to be, and unemployment and home foreclosure rates up, said Kevin Baker of San Jose, Calif.-based Suhr …
