Articles by L.S. Howard

Insured Losses Could Hit $145B in 2025, Driven by Rising Claims From Secondary Perils

Global insured losses from natural catastrophes hit US$137 billion in 2024, following the 5%-7% annual growth rate that has been the norm in recent years, according to Swiss Re analysis. If this trend continues, global insured losses will approach US$145 …

Brokers Aon and WTW Each Report Steady Organic Growth of 5% in Q1

The brokers Aon and WTW both reported organic revenues of 5% for the first quarter of the year, level with Q1 2024. Aon’s total revenue in the first quarter increased 16% to $4.7 billion compared to $4.1 billion during Q1 …

Global Q1 Commercial Insurance Rates Drop 3%, but US Casualty Bucks the Trend

Global commercial insurance rates fell 3%, on average, in the first quarter of 2025 following a 2% decline in Q4 2024, according to the Global Insurance Market Index published quarterly by insurance broker Marsh. The Q1 2025 commercial rate decline …

Global Natural Disasters Cost Insurers $53B in Q1, With Economic Losses of $83B

Global natural catastrophes had an insured price tag of more than $53 billion during the first quarter of 2025 – claims driven by California’s wildfires of approximately $38 billion, or 71% of total insured losses across the globe, according to …

Buyer-Friendly April Reinsurance Renewal Bodes Well for Mid-Year Renewals: Brokers

The April reinsurance renewals saw a competitive, buyer-friendly market with plentiful capacity and price reductions for loss-free accounts–in a continuation of the favorable market conditions seen in January, according to reports published by Aon and Gallagher Re. “The positive renewal …

Premium Growth Is Good but Disciplined Growth Is Better: Lloyd’s Execs Say

Lloyd’s executives said the market has continued to demonstrate its value to stakeholders by delivering 6.5% premium growth while maintaining underwriting discipline. Lloyd’s saw a continuation of positive returns with profit before tax of £9.6 billion ($12.4 billion) during 2024, …

Marsh McLennan Reports Organic Q1 Growth of 4%, a Decrease From Q1 2024

Marsh McLennan reported consolidated revenue during the first quarter of $7.1 billion, an increase of 9% compared with Q1 2024, or 4% on an underlying (organic) basis. MMC had organic growth of 9% in Q1 2024. Q1 operating income was …

US Excess & Surplus Lines Boost London Market Re/Insurers’ Topline Growth

The U.S. excess and surplus (E&S) lines market continues to offer profitable growth opportunities for insurers and reinsurers in the London market – which could help counteract some possible headwinds, according to a report from AM Best. “Excess and surplus …

Rising Civil Unrest, Political Violence Remain Top 10 Risk for Global Businesses: Allianz

Soaring levels of civil unrest and political violence are a key concern for businesses of all sizes as well as for their insurers, according to a report published by Allianz Commercial. The impact of civil unrest or strikes, riots and …

California Wildfires Had Little Impact on Reinsurers’ Risk Appetite During April Renewals

Property-catastrophe capacity remained adequate to meet demand during the April 1 renewals for US reinsurance buyers, despite the record losses from California’s January wildfires, according to Aon and Gallagher Re in their renewal reports. Reinsurers continued to demonstrate an appetite …