soft market News

Fitch: Downward Pricing Pressures in Reinsurance Market Begin to Slow

The reinsurance market showed signs of decelerating rate declines in its most recent June/July 2015 renewals, indicating that pricing could be approaching a new equilibrium, says Fitch Ratings in a new global sector report. Reinsurance pricing has experienced downward pressures …

UK Insurers Ponder Implications of Premium Tax Increase

The unexpected announcement in UK Chancellor George Osborn’s budget, which would raise the Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) from 6 percent to 9.5 percent starting in November, poses a problem for UK-based insurers. David Coupe, a partner in EC3\Legal, said: “The …

ILS Products Are Changing Reinsurance Industry Norms: ‘Acts of God’ Author

Second of two articles In the first article in this series, Paula Jarzabkowski, professor of Strategic Management at Cass Business School, City University London, discussed the findings of her book on the reinsurance industry, which show that the market is …

Reinsurance Market’s Evolution Could Affect Its Stability: ‘Acts of God’ Author

First of Two Articles The reinsurance market is moving from coverage of acts of God to one that covers commoditized risks – an evolution that could have long-term implications for market stability and trading large-scale risk, according to an industry …

Strong Capacity Drives Buyer’s Market in Political Risk Insurance: Marsh

Abundant capacity and strong competition have contributed to a favorable marketplace for buyers of political risk insurance globally, according to Marsh’s “Political Risk Market Update,” published this month. Despite growing concerns about global political and credit risks and a recent …

Reinsurers’ Shopping Spree Won’t Slow Down Falling Rates – S&P Report

In a recent report Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services said it anticipated further mergers and acquisitions in the global reinsurance industry. The report – “Reinsurers’ Shopping Spree Won’t Slow Down Falling Rates” – cited the following facts to bolster its …

Litmus: More Bearish Ratings Expected for Reinsurance Sector

Since January the rating agencies have become increasingly negative on their outlook for ratings in the reinsurance sector overall, while in practice affirming or even increasing individual reinsurer* ratings. Standard and Poor’s move to take Lloyd’s rating outlook down from …

Litmus Analysis’ Shipperlee Explains Current Re/Insurance Ratings

As the former head of A.M. Best in London, and a senior executive with Standard & Poor’s, Litmus Analysis Senior Partner Stuart Shipperlee has a very complete knowledge of what re/insurance company ratings are, and, perhaps more importantly, what they …

‘Worst Market in Memory’ to Keep Pressure on Reinsurance Rates

The worst reinsurance market in memory looks set to carry into 2015, industry executives said. An absence of costly disasters and increasing competition from new entrants dragged on prices this year, and reinsurers may struggle to halt the slide when …

Brokers Say Reinsurance Prices under Pressure at Mid-year Renewals

Reinsurance prices fell by as much as 25 percent in key markets mid-year as pension funds poured in money and demand for cover from insurance companies remained subdued, brokers said on Tuesday. Reinsurers have been negotiating with insurance company clients …