Fitch Ratings News

Hurricane Matthew More Hype Than Bite So Far But Insurers, Agents Remain on Alert

While Hurricane Matthew rages along Florida’s coast, with the end potentially still hours away, the insurance industry seems to be breathing a sigh of relief, thus far. As of Friday morning, Matthew seemed to have spared South Florida major damage …

Fitch: Matthew Losses Manageable for Florida Property Insurers

Hurricane Matthew will pressure the earnings of some insurance underwriters in Florida and other southeast states but is not expected to present a major capital challenge, Fitch Ratings says. Fitch estimates that if the storm results in insured losses in …

Ratings Agencies Expect Reinsurance Premiums to Continue Dropping in 2017

Reinsurance premiums are likely to continue to fall next year, ratings agencies said on Tuesday, following years of weaker prices due to competition in the sector and a lack of natural catastrophe losses. Reinsurers act as a financial backstop for …

Fitch: No Credit Implications for Florida State-Run Insurers From Hermine

Hurricane Hermine, the first hurricane to make landfall in Florida in 11 years, is not likely to have a significant impact on the financial condition of the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (FHCF) or Citizens’ Property Insurance (Citizens), according to Fitch …

EU Passporting Essential for Lloyd’s Market Position in Post-Brexit World: Fitch

The UK’s exit from the European Union, or “Brexit,” could lead to a loss of business for Lloyd’s of London unless the UK government is able to negotiate passporting arrangements to maintain access to the European Economic Area (EEA)*, according …

Asian Regulatory Changes Could Hike Demand for Local Reinsurance: Fitch

Various regulatory initiatives in Asian markets could lead to greater demand for local reinsurance capacity as direct insurers rethink risk management strategies and appetite, according to a report published by Fitch Ratings. “Asian regulators have implemented – or are in …

P/C Insurers Must Improve Underwriting Amid Competitive Pressures: Fitch

Property/casualty insurers in North America saw their operating income decline by double digits in the first half of 2016, as investment income plunged and catastrophe losses rose. Fitch Ratings looked at 44 insurers and reinsurers that are either publicly traded …

Fitch Ups Liberty Mutual’s Ratings Outlook

Liberty Mutual Group’s ratings outlook has been bumped up to positive from stable at Fitch Ratings, reflecting an acknowledgment of improved operating performance. Fitch also affirmed the financial strength ratings of Liberty Mutual and its subsidiaries at ‘A-‘ and its …

A.M. Best’s ‘A-‘ Rating Not as Good as It Seems: Fitch

Fitch Ratings this week warned that users of insurance ratings from four large credit rating agencies (CRAs) fail to understand differences in the rating scales – differences that separate A.M. Best from the rest of that pack. Specifically, Fitch said …

S&P and Fitch Chop Britain’s ‘AAA’ Rating After Brexit Vote

Britain suffered further blows to its economic standing on Monday as two top ratings agencies downgraded its sovereign credit score, judging last week’s vote to leave the European Union would hurt its economy. Standard & Poor’s stripped Britain of its …