hard market News

What’s to Come in 2024: AI Expansion, More Catastrophes, Network Consolidation

No one can predict the future, but insurance professionals are likely the best qualified when it comes to predicting risk. For this special report, Insurance Journal magazine asked industry thought leaders their predictions for the property/casualty world in 2024 and …

Reinsurance Market Likely to Begin Softening in 2025 as Capacity Rises in 2024: Fitch

Reinsurers’ underwriting margins are expected to peak in 2024 on the significant price rises and tighter terms and conditions achieved during 2023 and in the January 2024 renewals, which will likely lead to softer market conditions in 2025, according to …

Reinsurers’ Casualty Appetites Varied, but Capacity Was ‘Ample’ During 1/1 Renewals

Reinsurers had varied appetites for casualty reinsurance during the January 2024 renewals; while capacity was sufficient, they still maintained underwriting discipline, according to reinsurance brokers in their renewal reports. “Some reinsurers adopted a tougher stance ahead of the January 2024 …

Prepare for the Soft Market: Why You Need to Set Performance Metrics Now

Executive Summary: Companies need to enact long-term performance measurement and strategies for underwriting discipline across the underwriting cycle because evidence suggests underwriters will not impose it themselves, according to Tony Buckle and John Carolin, co-founders of the boutique insurance consultancy …

Viewpoint: Get Ready Now for the Soft Market (Because It’s Coming)

Executive summary: Tony Buckle and John Carolin, co-founders of the boutique insurance consultancy UWX, analyze underwriter motivation during the soft phase of the market cycle. While average market prices are the hardest seen in years, some price softening has begun …

Hard Market Game Refuses to End: Arch Capital CEO

Drawing analogies to an epic tennis match and the hands of a clock, the leader of Bermuda-based Arch Capital declared the current hard market one of the longest the P/C industry has ever experienced. “This is the type of well-rounded …

Will S&P Change ‘Negative’ Reinsurance Outlook to ‘Stable’ in 2023?

While no one directly asked the question of this article’s headline at the S&P Global Ratings June annual insurance conference, the prospect that an outlook change is near came into view during the industry meeting. During a panel on property/casualty …

Repricing Is Not Reunderwriting

A rising tide carries all boats. That rings true currently in commercial insurance. Carriers have broadly brushed aside concerns about geopolitics, inflation and natural catastrophes and reported positive year-to-date underwriting results. Leaders talk optimistically of the pivot to growth and …

Why the Investor-Driven Hard Reinsurance Market Will Persist in 2024

Reinsurers will continue to command adequate rates for property-catastrophe in 2024, even if the market comes through hurricane season unscathed, reinsurance company executives said. Kevin O’Donnell, president and chief executive officer of RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd., and Brian Young, president and …

Natural Catastrophes Cost Insurers $125 Billion in 2022: Swiss Re

Natural disasters in 2022 brought global economic losses of US$275 billion, of which insurance covered 45%, or US$125 billion, according to Swiss Re’s latest sigma report. Claims from Hurricane Ian in Florida, record breaking losses from hailstorms in France, floods …