Zurich Insurance has recently promoted Alex Todd to the position of Chief Underwriting Officer for Asia Pacific (APAC). Todd brings over 20 years of industry experience to his new role, specialising in Property, with a strong focus on the APAC region. He joined Zurich Insurance in August 2023 as Head of Short-Tail Lines, APAC. Prior […]
KEMI enhances claims process with Origami Risk’s core claims solution
Kentucky Employers’ Mutual Insurance (KEMI), a provider of workers’ compensation insurance in Kentucky, has completed the deployment of Origami Risk’s multi-tenant core claims solution. This upgrade has enhanced the efficiency, speed, and accuracy of its claims process, while also improving the overall customer experience. Through this transition, KEMI has introduced several key improvements to better […]
Annuity growth drives reinsurance demand and sidecar popularity: AM Best
Annuities have grown significantly amid rising interest rates, creating a need for additional capital in the reinsurance market, which has led to increased use of reinsurance and the growing popularity of sidecars to manage risk and support larger deals, according to a recent report by AM Best. The annuity growth has created a need for […]
Berkshire Hathaway’s re/insurance underwriting gain rises to $9bn in 2024 as firm pegs LA wildfire loss at $1.3bn
Berkshire Hathaway, the Warren Buffett-run holding company and conglomerate, has reported a 66% year-on-year rise in net underwriting earnings for its insurance and reinsurance businesses in 2024 to $9.02 billion. 2024 was another strong year for Berkshire’s re/insurance operations as the underwriting performance of its Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group and GEICO more than offset a […]
UK insurance premium growth forecast to stabilise over next three years: EY
The UK insurance sector is predicted to experience steady but slowing growth in premium income over the next three years as economic conditions stabilise and premium rises ease, according to the latest EY ITEM Club Outlook for Financial Services. The forecast anticipates a return to more normal premium increase levels, averaging around 3.4%, similar to […]
AFG elects Craig Lindner Jr. & David Thompson to its Board
American Financial Group, Inc. (AFG) has announced the election of Craig Lindner Jr. and David Thompson to its Board of Directors. Additionally, James Evans will not stand for reelection at the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders but will continue to serve as Executive Consultant, a role he has held since 2014. Lindner brings 20 years […]
AM Best revises Mercury’s outlook to negative following LA wildfire losses
Credit rating agency AM Best has revised the outlooks to negative from stable for Mercury General Corporation and its subsidiaries following significant losses from the recent California wildfires. The fires, which began on January 7, 2025, are estimated to cost Mercury General between $1.6 billion and $2 billion in gross losses. The agency has also […]
Strong potential LA wildfires very serious in terms of market impact: Conduit Re
Executives from Bermuda-based Conduit Re have emphasised the significant impact of the California wildfires on the re/insurance market, highlighting the potential for the event to halt rate declines ahead of crucial upcoming renewals. Speaking at a briefing following the release of the firm’s 2024 results, Neil Eckhart, Executive Chairman, described the California wildfire event as […]
Canadian personal auto & property lines increased in Q4’24: Applied Systems
Applied Systems has released the fourth quarter of 2024 and year-end results of the Applied Rating Index, showing year-over-year and quarter-over-quarter increases in average premium rate changes for both Personal Auto and Personal Property lines. In Q4’24, the average premium rate for Personal Auto rose 11.3% from Q4’23 and 3.9% from Q3’24. Personal Property premiums […]
AM Best assigns ratings to SoteriaRe
AM Best has assigned Soteria Reinsurance Ltd. a Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and a Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a-” (Excellent), with a stable outlook. Soteria Re, launched in 2023, is an incorporated Class C insurer registered in Bermuda with focus on the US retail fixed annuities and pension risk transfer space. The […]