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





