South African market News

South Africa’s President Will Sign Health Insurance Bill Into Law

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Thursday that he planned to sign into law a National Health Insurance (NHI) bill that aims to provide universal health coverage to South Africans, although he did not give a time frame. The …

Climate Change Poses Significant Risk for South African Insurers: Old Mutual

Climate change poses the most significant threat for South African insurance companies and risks raising premiums and the cost of reinsurance, a top official at its biggest insurer by assets said. After staying almost flat in the decade to 2020, …

South Africa’s State-Owned Insurer Won’t Pay Claims for Grid Collapse

South Africa Special Risk Insurance Association told clients it won’t pay claims for damage related to a collapse of the national electricity grid, Business Day reported, citing a circular from the company. The announcement by the state-owned insurer comes less …

COVID Infections Boost Heart-Related Deaths, Top Africa Health Insurer Says

Africa’s biggest health insurer said the number of heart-related deaths rose more than sixfold during the COVID-19 pandemic among the clients of one of its units. Discovery Employee Benefits, a unit of Johannesburg-based Discovery Ltd. that has more than half …

South African Economic Hub May Be Terror Target, U.S. Warns

One of South Africa’s richest suburbs may be the target of a terrorist attack this weekend, according to an alert posted on the website of the US Embassy. “The US government has received information that terrorists may be planning to …

South African Premiums to Rise as Insurers Face Growing Flood, Fire Risks: Sanlam

South Africans could soon be paying as much as 5% more on their premiums as insurers face growing risks both globally and locally. The country is now considered “very risky” due to mounting flood and fire dangers, as well as …

People Moves: QBE Re Names Barber Head of U.S. Treaty, Succeeding Larson; MNK Re Hires Pillay to Lead S. Africa Branch; Francis Promoted to MD, CFC Response

This edition of International People Moves details appointments at QBE Re in the U.S., specialist broker MNK Re Group and MGA CFC Underwriting. A summary of these new hires follows here. QBE Re Names Barber Head of U.S. Treaty, Succeeding …

Update: South Africa’s Deadliest Floods in 6 Decades Claim More Than 300 Lives

South Africa declared floods that killed more than 300 people in the eastern KwaZulu-Natal province a disaster, enabling the government to free up funds to assist with reconstruction in the area. The heaviest rainfall in at least six decades last …

Insurers Sanlam and Allianz Explore Options for Their African Businesses

JOHANNESBURG – African insurer Sanlam Ltd. said on Wednesday it was exploring “strategic alternatives” with Germany’s Allianz SE for their respective African businesses, excluding Sanlam’s home market of South Africa. Sanlam, South Africa’s No. 1 insurer, did not elaborate on …

Guy Carpenter and Marsh to Combine South Africa Facultative Reinsurance Businesses

Reinsurance broker Guy Carpenter and insurance broker Marsh, both businesses of Marsh McLennan, said they are combining their South Africa facultative reinsurance operations into a single business, effective Jan. 1, 2022. The new unit will operate under the Guy Carpenter …