Reinsurance News

COVID-19 news

News about the impact of the global COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic and how it affected insurance and reinsurance markets.

For details of loss reports and disclosures related to COVID-19 from insurance and reinsurance companies visit our list here.

Second BI test case in Australia delayed as policyholders need more time: ICA

24th August 2021

The Federal Court of Australia has postponed the start of the second business interruption (BI) test case hearing by one week to provide policyholders with more time to obtain verified government data and expert evidence concerning COVID-19 outbreaks, notes the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA). It was announced earlier this ... Read the full article

Atradius reports smooth transition after trade credit reinsurance scheme

17th August 2021

Trade credit insurer Atradius has reported a smooth transition for customers after the close of the Government Trade Credit Reinsurance Scheme, which was introduced to support the industry during the pandemic. Atradius noted that the handover process ran as expected with a continuation of limits for customers and growing levels of ... Read the full article

BI test case payouts approach £1bn: FCA

17th August 2021

New data from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) shows that total reported claims payments for policies related to the COVID-19 business interruption (BI) test case in the UK are now approaching £1 billion. The aggregate value of the payments made for the 21,198 claims where final settlements have been agreed and ... Read the full article

Marsh & Citi develop risk structure to boost delivery of COVAX vaccines

17th August 2021

Insurance broker Marsh has collaborated with global bank Citi to create an innovative risk mitigation structure designed to help the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi) pre-purchase vaccines in bulk with greater confidence, and facilitate rapid and equitable distribution around the world. Developed on behalf of Gavi, the risk mitigation structure will cover the ... Read the full article

Partial closure of China port threatens $172bn worth of global trade

13th August 2021

According to analysts at Russell Group’s ALPS Marine platform, China’s partial closure of the port of Ningbo threatens $172 billion worth of global trade and the export of $39.2 billion worth of Integrated Circuit Boards (ICBs). It comes as the cost of shipping from China and South East Asia to the ... Read the full article

COVID could elevate US hurricane claims: PCS

13th August 2021

Due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases across areas of the United States, there is potential for added pressure to the catastrophe re/insurance market, according to Verisk company PCS, who has undertaken research on the matter. Last month, PCS Head Tom Johansmeyer warned that a pandemic resurgence could have ... Read the full article

Munich Re’s profit rises to €1.1bn despite higher than expected COVID impact

10th August 2021

Global reinsurer Munich Re has announced profit of €1.1 billion for the second quarter of 2021, as profits improved in both its property and casualty (P&C) and life and health (L&H) reinsurance segments despite ongoing losses related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The company's reinsurance operation contributed €951 million to the consolidated ... Read the full article

Lloyd’s players support UK Gov live events reinsurance scheme

6th August 2021

The UK government has partnered with the specialist Lloyd's insurance and reinsurance marketplace to deliver the Live Events Reinsurance Scheme, which is worth more than £750 million and designed to help organisers plan events with confidence. While the majority of Covid-19 restrictions have now lifted in the UK, the losses faced ... Read the full article

Hannover Re’s H1 profit rises as P&C result offsets COVID losses in L&H

5th August 2021

Global reinsurer Hannover Re has reported Group net income of €670.6 million for the first half of 2021, supported by a significant improvement in the performance of its property and casualty (P&C) business, somewhat offset by COVID-19 losses of €236.4 million in its life and health (L&H) operation. For H1 2021, ... Read the full article

RGA announces higher income in 2021 as COVID-19 claims subside

4th August 2021

Global life reinsurance carrier, Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated (RGA), has reported a higher net income, year-on-year, for both the second quarter and first half of the year, while premiums increased by 11% to $3.1 billion. Overall, RGA has announced net income of $344 million for Q2 2021, compared with $158 ... Read the full article

COVID infections re-emerge as marine sector threat: PCS

4th August 2021

High rates of infection from the Delta variant and low levels of vaccination in key countries could result in worldwide crew shortages, fatigued and stranded crewmembers, and increased risk of loss for marine re/insurers, according to analysts at PCS. The firm says that marine re/insurers in particular need to stay vigilant ... Read the full article

AM Best assigns stable outlook to Malaysia non-life

3rd August 2021

AM Best has assigned a stable outlook to the Malaysian non-life insurance segment off of an expectation that underwriting discipline and robust pricing will be maintained in the face of ongoing phased de-tarrification of motor and fire business. The rating agency also noted an increased use of digital solutions to enhance ... Read the full article

Aon finds political instability, unrest slowing economic rebound from Covid

2nd August 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has been determined by Aon to have both suppressed and aggravated terrorism and political violence risks in 2020 and 2021. Aon’s Risk Maps are designed to help firms better understand and navigate evolving political risk and political violence exposures. Lockdowns and travel restrictions have had a containing effect on ... Read the full article

Swiss Re returns to profit as P&C improvement offsets COVID-related L&H loss

30th July 2021

Global reinsurance giant Swiss Re has reported net income of $1 billion for the first half of 2021, as an improved performance in its property and casualty (P&C) business more than offset a COVID-19 driven loss in its life and health (L&H) reinsurance division. Swiss Re's H1 2021 Group-wide profit would ... Read the full article

Global commercial insurance pricing up 15% in Q2, finds Marsh

27th July 2021

Global commercial insurance prices increased 15% in the second quarter of 2021, according to the latest market index report by Marsh. It's reported that this year marks the 15th consecutive quarter of rate increases in the global commercial insurance market. Furthermore, it marks the third consecutive quarter to show a fall in ... Read the full article