S&P Global Ratings News

S&P Assigns Odyssey Re Europe with ‘A-‘ Rating, Stable Outlook

S&P Global Ratings has assigned its ‘A-‘ long-term financial strength rating to Odyssey Re Europe S.A. (ORESA), with a stable outlook. The rating on ORESA is based on an explicit guarantee provided by Odyssey Reinsurance Co., which has an ‘A-‘ …

Reinsurers More Likely to Report Natural Disaster Underwriting Losses: S&P

Things could get rougher for global reinsurers if annual natural catastrophe claims keep moving closer to the long-term average, Standard & Poor’s said in a new report. It turns out that upward trend has been substantial. As indicated by Aon …

Rising Seas May Wipe Out Jersey Towns and Millions in AAA Bonds

Few parts of the U.S. are as exposed to the threats from climate change as Ocean County, New Jersey. It was here in Seaside Heights that Hurricane Sandy flooded an oceanfront amusement park, leaving an inundated roller coaster as an …

Bermuda Re/Insurers Hit by Ogden Rate Change, Higher Nat Cats: S&P

A big change in the Ogden rate in the UK and higher natural catastrophe losses are dampening a wide range of Bermuda-based insurer and reinsurer results in the 2017 first quarter, Standard & Poor’s said in a new report. “Unfavorable …

S&P Raises Ratings for Belgian Aviation Insurer Aviabel After AXIS Acquisition

S&P Global Ratings has raised its long-term counterparty credit and financial strength ratings on Aviabel Cie. Belge d’Assurances Aviation to “A” from “A-“, following the completion of its acquisition on April 1 by AXIS Capital. Confirming a stable outlook for …

U.S. P/C Insurance Earnings Picture ‘Isn’t Too Pretty,’ Says S&P

This year will be a turning point for the U.S. property/casualty (P/C) insurance sector, as rising claims outpace pricing and reserve releases materially decrease, but it will not be a “softer for longer” rate cycle for the sector, according to …

As Reinsurance Market Evolves, So Must Distribution, Say Experts at Forum

The flow of so-called alternative capital into the global reinsurance market is continuing, bringing it closer to the “convergence” in which traditional providers will eventually become conduits to the capital markets, said panelists at the 2016 Bermuda Reinsurance Conference sponsored …

Insurtech Startups Attract Growing List of Traditional Insurer Partners

Listening to Andrew Rear talk about insurers, you wouldn’t think he works for one that’s been around for 136 years. The 46-year-old head of Munich Re’s Digital Partners unit has said the industry is “one of the last bastions of …

Reinsurers Welcome Rate Stabilization: S&P-PwC Bermuda Reinsurance Forum

North American reinsurers may soon see some rate stabilization after a prolonged period of declining premium rates, as they deal with a supply-demand imbalance that has weighed on returns, according to executives at the 2016 Bermuda Reinsurance Conference co-hosted by …

Reinsurers’ Capital Likely to Remain Strong Despite Hurricane Matthew: S&P

While Hurricane Matthew has the potential to erode some of the global reinsurance sector’s excess capital, its overall capital position is not expected to deteriorate below the ‘AAA’ level, according to a report published by S&P Global Ratings. This would …