K2 sees cat bonds as stand-out for growth. Price discipline drives spreads
Increased investor price discipline across insurance-linked securities (ILS) and reinsurance linked investments is helping to drive returns higher, but catastrophe bonds are the stand-out as the ILS market segment likely to grow in 2022, according to K2 Advisors. The investment research team of K2 Advisors, the hedge fund focused asset manager unit of investment firm […]
NZ Earthquake Commission grows reinsurance program to record size
Despite the hardening of global reinsurance markets, the New Zealand Earthquake Commission (EQC), the state-owned residential property disaster insurance entity, has expanded its reinsurance program to a record size of $7.2 billion of protection. A year ago, the New Zealand Earthquake Commission (EQC) said that its reinsurance tower provided almost $7 billion of coverage for […]
ILS gains attention as climate change felt around the world: HK IA’s Cheung
On announcing the completion of the second catastrophe bond issuance domiciled in Hong Kong, the Insurance Authority’s CEO Clement Cheung explained that insurance-linked securities (ILS) are a focus as they gain increasing attention. The Insurance Authority said that it welcomes the second issuance of insurance-linked securities (ILS) in Hong Kong. As we’ve been reporting for […]
Aon on insurance broker’s role in disaster resilience
“Few and far between” wouldn’t be the phrase to describe the natural disasters that are hitting New Zealand with increased severity and frequency – and in a country that is prone to a range of these hazards, Aon says catastrophe modelling is of extreme importance. Similarly, insurance brokers have a crucial role to play if insureds are […]
Revisiting the China Opportunity
Authors’ note: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has heightened geopolitical tensions and uncertainty. We believe that China will continue to be strategically important for MNCs and that the core analysis and recommendations in the article will remain valid and useful for many companies. With the global economy in flux, companies must rethink their ways of doing business […]
Malawi to receive parametric drought insurance payout from ARC
The African Risk Capacity (ARC) will make at least a US $14.2 million payout to benefit the people of Malawi, after the country’s parametric drought insurance coverage was triggered. The climate insurance pay-out will be made by African Risk Capacity (ARC) Limited to the Malawian government in June, after the country experienced its driest season […]
SBAI publishes responsible investment guidance for ILS funds
The Standards Board for Alternative Investments (SBAI) has published a new guidance document that covers responsible investment within the insurance-linked securities (ILS) fund management industry. The SBAI had already ramped up its focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) alongside responsible investing within various asset management segments. This included the publication of toolkits to help […]
Funding needed for climate disasters has risen ‘more than 800%’ in 20 years
The funding needed by UN climate disaster appeals has soared by more than 800% in 20 years as global heating takes hold. But only about half of it is being met by rich countries, according to a new report by Oxfam. Last year was the third costliest on record for extreme weather events such as droughts, floods […]
Peak Re’s cat bond to be first to use Hong Kong ILS grant
Having recently completed the sponsorship of its first ever catastrophe bond, Hong Kong headquartered global reinsurer Peak Reinsurance Company (Peak Re) wants to play an important role in helping to develop Asia’s insurance-linked securities (ILS) market and building regional resilience. This is according to Franz Josef Hahn, CEO of Peak Re, who in commenting on […]
Swiss Re opts for zero-coupon & multi-year notes in new Matterhorn Re cat bond
Global reinsurance giant Swiss Re is making headway with the issuance of its newest catastrophe bond, the $150 million targeted US hurricane focused Matterhorn Re Ltd. (Series 2022-2) deal and it seems zero-coupon and multi-year protection are proving most economical. As we reported on May 24th, Swiss Re was back in the catastrophe bond market […]