Willis Re News

Natural Catastrophe Claims in 2017 Reached a Record $135B: Munich Re

The insurance industry will pay record claims of US$135 billion from last year’s spate of natural catastrophes, according to a report published by Munich Re. Further, Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria (HIM), the Mexico earthquakes and wildfires in California created …

Property Reinsurance Rates Rise Less Than Expected in Jan. 1 Renewals

Global property reinsurance prices have risen less than expected in the key Jan. 1 renewal season, with strong competition limiting increases to single digit percentages following a record year of losses, brokers said on Tuesday. Catastrophe bond managers are launching …

Blockchain Industry Initiative, B3i, Expands with 23 New Broker, Re/Insurer Entrants

The Blockchain Insurance Industry Initiative B3i announced it has expanded with 23 new brokers and re/insurers entrants, which will help with B3i’s upcoming market testing program. B3i’s new entrants are: AIA, AIG, Aon, Chubb, Covéa, Everest Re, Gen Re, Guy …

Soft Rates Begin to Hit Results – But Pain Continues at Mid-Year Renewals: Willis Re

Despite the deterioration many reinsurers saw in the first quarter, mid-year renewals continued their downward pricing trajectory, according to Willis Re in a recent report. Indeed, underlying loss and expense ratios for many reinsurers are showing a worrying trend of …

Kent to Become Willis Re’s Global CEO when Cavanagh Retires

Willis Re announced that James Kent, the current deputy global CEO, will succeed John Cavanagh when he retires from his position as global CEO in December 2017. Kent joined Willis Re in 2004 and has served as the global deputy …

April 1 Renewals Saw ‘Disciplined Softening’ with Ample Capacity: Aon & Willis Re

With abundant capacity, aggressive capital market competition and acceptable returns for global reinsurers, it’s no wonder that the elusive bottom of soft market pricing was not evident at the April 1 renewals. During 2016, global reinsurers generated “an acceptable, though …

Liability Risk Modeling Tool Launched by Lloyd’s and AIR’s Arium

Lloyd’s and modeling company Arium have launched a tool designed to enable insurers and reinsurers to model liability exposure probabilistically across their entire portfolios, Lloyd’s announced. “The new approach categorizes casualty events based on a company’s business activities – its …

Nat Cats Cost Insurers $39.5B in 2016, Highest Level in 4 Years: Willis Re

Insured loss estimates from major natural catastrophes totaled US$39.5 billion during 2016, which is the highest level since 2012 when market losses totaled US$60 billion, according to a report published by Willis Re, the reinsurance division of Willis Towers Watson. …

Reinsurers Can Expect Another Difficult Year, Seeking Price Stabilization: Willis Re

Despite a 50 percent increase in insured losses from natural catastrophes during 2016, the global reinsurance industry achieved profitable results for the third quarter and remains on track to close out another profitable full year, according to a report published …

Willis Re Appoints Kent as Global Deputy CEO

Willis Re, the reinsurance business of Willis Towers Watson, announced the promotion of James Kent – co-president of Willis Re and President of Willis Re North America – to the position of Global Deputy CEO, Willis Re, with immediate effect. …