Industry
Bermuda start-ups in the post-9/11 environment have benefited from strong pricing and a lack of legacy claims issues, according to a new report from Fitch Ratings.In 2003, the “class of 2001”, which includes Axis, Allied World, Endurance, Montpelier and Olympus Re, brought in net premiums of US$8.9 billion and produced net income of nearly US$2 […]
By Canadian Underwriter | July 1, 2004
2 min read
Risk
The world’s top executives and investment firms have very different views on the key risks to corporate revenue sources, according to a new study by FM Global and Harris Interactive.The annual “Protecting Value” study looks at risk to key revenue drivers through the eyes of 600 executives from “global 1000” corporations and investment firms.The 2004 […]
Saskatchewan has switched to the same single license plate system in use in most provinces. As of June 30, drivers will be issued just one plate on new transactions, and other drivers will have the choice of whether they want to use one or two plates. Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI), which oversees license plate issuance, […]
1 min read
In its latest market commentary, broker Willis notes the rising interest in kidnap and ransom (K&R) coverage in light of the high-profile abductions taking place in the Middle East. The televised kidnappings in the conflict zones of Iraq, Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia are being followed by incidents in Indonesia, the Philippines, North Africa and more. […]
While the "magic" of last year's hard market transformed Canada's reinsurance players from pumpkins into glittering stage-coaches, the bad news is that time may now be running out. Similar to their primary company clients, reinsurers prospered during 2003 with virtually all the financial indicators pointing in the right direction - except one. After two years of almost miraculous growth in premium income - largely driven by rate increases - the Canadian reinsurance sector appears to have hit a wall. Does this mean that reinsurance pricing has lost steam, possibly signaling the turning point in the industry price cycle that so many have come to fear? Reinsurers fervently deny that price softening is setting in, purporting that reduced premium growth is a reflection of higher primary retentions as companies look to benefit from hard market pricing. Even so, a loss of business, in terms of risk transfer, will ultimately exert economic operating pressures on reinsurers in a marketplace which many regard as having too many players.
By Sean van Zyl, Editor | June 30, 2004
10 min read
The Canadian Independent Adjusters Association (CIAA) raised its profile earlier this year by winning special status for adjusters under the new federal privacy legislation. The move capped off 2003, one of the busiest years adjusters have ever faced, with disasters both natural and man-made in the form of Hurricane Juan, the B.C. forest fires and the debacle of auto insurance. As she assumes the association's presidency, Carol Messervey hopes to turn the high profile of the profession into a rallying point for the national association.
By Vikki Spencer | June 30, 2004
6 min read
Is the Canadian property and casualty insurance industry experiencing clear skies in the area of solvency or are there dark clouds on the horizon? A tough market over the past three years has raised some questions about industry measurements in everything from capital levels to underwriting performance to reserve development. Today, most agree the solvency situation seems to be steady. But, some observers say the nature of the softening market could spell trouble for the years ahead.
By Craig Harris | June 30, 2004
9 min read
To some, the insurance cycle is a phenomenon we must endure. In reality, however, it is something we create, and we must endeavor to manage it better.
By Glenn McGillivray | June 30, 2004
8 min read
I was taught that doing business with companies with names such as “As-honest-as-the-day-is-long Re” is generally not a good idea as they are unlikely to live up to their standing. I was also warned to be wary of companies with glittering new headquarters, as the argument ran that the management of said companies would more […]
By Toby Stubbs | June 30, 2004
There is a huge inventory of articles about the underwriting cycle and the "feast or famine" nature of the property and casualty insurance business. Much of the literature attributes cycles and the inevitability of cycles to economic factors and other external pressures.
By Tad Montross | June 30, 2004
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