Research and Trends News

Ivans Index Shows Most Commercial Lines Renewal Rates Up in November

Most major commercial lines premium renewal rates were higher month over month, except general liability, which remained consistent with October and Commercial Property and Workers’ Compensation which saw a decrease, according to the November 2024’s results of the Ivans Index. …

AM Best Revises Outlook for US Personal Lines Insurance Segment to ‘Stable’

AM Best has revised its outlook to stable from negative for the U.S. personal lines insurance segment for 2025, citing improved rate and pricing conditions, particularly in the auto insurance space, along with solid levels of risk-adjusted capitalization among carriers. …

Outlook for US Commercial Insurance Segment ‘Stable’ as Profits Stay Strong: AM Best

AM Best is maintaining its stable market segment outlook on the U.S. commercial lines insurance sector for 2025, due partly to the segment’s persistently strong underwriting performance and improved investment returns, which have bolstered operating profitability. Reserve adequacy in the …

Private Equity Tie-Ups With Insurers Create Risks, BOE Says

Private equity’s advance into the insurance sector exacerbates the risk of “fire sales” that disrupt the functioning of financial markets, the Bank of England warned. A growing number of PE firms in the US have acquired life insurers, while British …

Cyberattacks Cost UK Businesses £44 Billion During Past 5 Years, Howden Survey

Cyberattacks cost UK businesses approximately £44 billion (US$55.3 billion) in lost revenue over the past five years, according to research published by Howden, the London-based insurance intermediary group. Half of those businesses (52%), or 1.3 million private sector companies, have …

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, …

Blacks and Hispanics Pay More for Auto Insurance. Study Tries to Answer Why.

A new study examining potential unintentional bias in auto insurance finds that while Black and Hispanic drivers pay more than other drivers for coverage, they also have more claims and driving infractions. The study’s authors accept that higher losses and …

Modern Cars Are Surveillance Devices on Wheels With Major Privacy Risks: Report

New research reveals serious privacy flaws in the data practices of new internet connected cars in Australia. It’s yet another reason why we need urgent reform of privacy laws. Modern cars are increasingly equipped with internet-enabled features. Your “connected car” …

Bank of Spain Estimates Floods Cost 0.2% of GDP in 4th Quarter

Last month’s catastrophic floods in eastern Spain are likely to have a negative impact of 0.2 percentage points on the country’s gross domestic product in the fourth quarter, the Bank of Spain said on Wednesday. More than 200 people died …

Flood Adaptation Preferable to Post-Disaster Rebuilding – And 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 …