Articles by L.S. Howard

Cyber, Business Interruption, Natural Disasters Listed as Top 3 Business Risks: Allianz

Cyber, business interruption and natural catastrophes are the top three risks that concern global businesses, according to the Allianz Risk Barometer 2025. Cyber incidents, such as ransomware attacks, data breaches and IT outages, is the top global risk for 2025, …

Update: Re/Insurer Losses From LA Wildfires Expected to Be Significant but Manageable

Insurers are facing significant losses from the catastrophic Los Angeles wildfires — given the high value of homes and businesses in the affected communities. However, those losses are likely to be manageable for both insurers and their reinsurers, with preliminary …

Insured Losses From Natural Disasters Hit $140B as Climate Change ‘Shows Its Claws’

Insurers saw the third most expensive year for natural catastrophe losses in 2024 – reaching a total of US$140 billion – as climate change “is showing its claws,” according to Munich Re. Overall economic losses from natural disasters worldwide reached …

Lloyd’s CEO Neal Appointed Aon CEO of Reinsurance, Chairman of Climate Solutions

Insurance broker Aon plc announced the appointment of John Neal as global CEO of Reinsurance and chairman of Climate Solutions, effective following the conclusion of Neal’s notice period at Lloyd’s of London where he has served as CEO since October …

Reinsurance Buyers With Good Portfolio Stories See Better Renewal Outcomes: Brokers

Reinsurance buyers generally found ample capacity during the January renewals as well as increased reinsurer appetite, which led to risk-adjusted rate reductions and improved terms and conditions for clients that could demonstrate differentiated strategies, reinsurance brokers Aon, Gallagher Re and …

Top International Insurance Journal Stories of 2024

The top 10 most well-read international stories for 2024 covered a diverse range of topics, including nuclear verdicts, Taylor Swift’s concert cancellations, and the return of stability of the reinsurance market. Two articles focused on the Baltimore Bridge collapse. We’ve …

Insured Losses From Natural Disasters Top US$100B for 5th Consecutive Year: Swiss Re

Estimated insured losses from natural catastrophes are on track to surpass US$100 billion in 2024 – for the fifth consecutive year — and are even likely to hit US$135 billion-plus, according to Swiss Re Institute. Natural disasters are driving an …

WTW to Return to Treaty Reinsurance Broking Via Bain Capital Joint Venture

WTW announced it will return to treaty reinsurance broking via a joint venture with the private investment firm Bain Capital. WTW will hold a minority share in the new company, said WTW in an announcement outlining its growth and value …

Flood Adaptation Preferable to Post-Disaster Rebuilding – And It Helps With Insurability

Economic losses caused by natural catastrophes reached an estimated US$280 billion in 2023, with US$51.6 billion of that total due to floods, according to Swiss Re Institute. As climate change intensifies extreme weather events and rapid urban sprawl increased asset …

Global Non-Life Insurance Rates ‘Plateauing’ but Nat Cat Losses Delay Market Softening

Global non-life premiums are expected to hit a decade-high growth level of 4.3% in 2024, following the repricing of risk over the past several years in response to elevated claims, according to Swiss Re’s sigma. “Premium rates are now moderating, …