Latest Trends Headlines
All the headlines from our Trends Topic Page, ordered by recency.
Actuaries Say Individual Mandate Key to Viable Health Insurance Market
Jun 29 2012 // The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling to keep the Affordable Care Act largely intact is a step toward ensuring that health insurance markets attract a broad cross section of risk, a cornerstone to any viable health...
Best Sees Indonesia P&C Sector Growth; Capital, Regulatory Challenges
Jun 29 2012 // A new report from A.M. Best Co. concludes that “Indonesia’s solid economy is fueling growth for a developing non-life insurance market, well supported by domestic consumption and investment offsetting a weaker...
EU Agency ENISA Calls for ‘Kick-start’ in Cyber Insurance Market
Jun 29 2012 // Europe’s citizens and businesses could benefit from better protection for their computer systems and data if the cyber insurance market can be kick-started, according to a recently released report from the European...
Marsh Reports Global Insurance Prices up 1.4% in Q2; Sees Further Increases
Jun 28 2012 // Global insurance prices are set to rise for a third consecutive quarter as the industry strives to bolster its finances after paying near-record catastrophe claims last year, insurance broker Marsh said on...
Swiss Re sigma Study Finds P&C Growth in Emerging Markets
Jun 27 2012 // Swiss Re’s latest sigma study concludes that “global overall premiums declined 0.8 percent in real terms in 2011. While non-life premiums expanded 1.9 percent on solid economic growth in emerging markets and...
Best Affirms, Assigns Ratings to GEICO and Affiliates; Outlook Stable
Jun 25 2012 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A++’ (Superior) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “aaa” of the members of Government Employees Group (GEICO), which is based in...
Swiss Re Chief Economist Sees Rising Rates by Year End
Jun 22 2012 // On the heels of the decision by the U.S. Federal Reserve to maintain the target fed funds rate at zero to 25 basis points Swiss Re’s Chief Economist, Kurt Karl, commented: “The US economy has been weak...
Rise of Gadgets Doubles Costs of Lightning Damage – I.I.I.
Jun 21 2012 // The cost of insurance claims for lightning strikes nearly doubled between 2004 and 2011, even as the actual number of claims shrank dramatically, and an industry trade group says fancy new TVs and videogame consoles are to...
Best Revises Alterra Capital and Operating Subs Outlook to Stable
Jun 21 2012 // A.M. Best Co. has revised the outlook to stable from negative and affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a” of Alterra Bermuda Limited...
Facebook Fiasco, ‘Blank Check’ Companies Disrupt IPO Insurance Market
Jun 21 2012 // The Facebook initial public offering (IPO) fallout is just getting started, but its effects are already being felt in the insurance community when it comes to covering directors and officers for future social media...
NOAA In Midst Of Tsunami Debris Survey
Jun 20 2012 // Government scientists are in the midst of a 10-day trip, surveying southeast Alaska beaches for debris from last year’s deadly tsunami in Japan. While there have been several high-profile instances of debris from the...
Actuaries: Health Costs to Go Up No Matter What Court Decides on Law
Jun 20 2012 // As the country awaits the highly anticipated ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold or overturn the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), the actuarial experts who price are warning that health insurance...
Best Affirms Argo Re, Argo Group and Subs Ratings; Outlook Stable
Jun 20 2012 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength ratings (FSR) of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a” of Bermuda-based Argo Re Ltd. and its subsidiaries, as well as the ICR of...
Chartis Increases Commercial Property Per-Risk Capacity
Jun 18 2012 // Chartis has increased its commercial property per-risk capacity to $1.5 billion on a worldwide basis. This level of capacity had previously been available to Chartis’ North American domiciled clients, underwritten by...
Public Companies Underestimate Risk of Directors and Officers Lawsuit: Survey
Jun 18 2012 // Public company executives may be in for a surprise lawsuit. Despite the odds that they and their directors will be sued in the next 12 months, a new Chubb Public Company Risk Survey has found that more than 80 percent...
Best Affirms Aioi Nissay Dowa and Subs Ratings; Outlook Stable
Jun 18 2012 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A’ (Excellent) and the issuer credit rating (ICR) of “a+” of Japan’s Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance Company Limited (ADI) and its...
Best Affirms General Reinsurance Corp’s ‘A++’ Ratings; Outlook Stable
Jun 18 2012 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A++’ (Superior) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “aa+” of General Reinsurance Corporation and its core property/casualty and life...
The Future of Producer Compensation
Jun 18 2012 // It is a fact that many people with the title “producer” don’t produce. They service and they accept what comes to them, but they do not produce. It is also a fact that companies are going to find a way to...
Commercial Insurance Prices Continue to Rise: Towers Watson
Jun 18 2012 // Commercial insurance prices in aggregate increased by nearly 5 percent during the first quarter of 2012, the fifth consecutive quarter that prices rose. In addition, commercial insurers’ loss ratios stabilized for...
Future Vision: Will Driving Become Too Safe to Insure?
Jun 18 2012 // What would happen to the auto insurance industry if automobile safety improves to the point that vehicle collisions become relics of the past? That’s the question explored by global consulting and research firm,...
