February 2018/1

InsurTech funding volumes leapt by 36 percent to $2.3bn in 2017, according to data from Willis Towers Watson.

Carriers and brokers have published their best estimates for natural catastrophe losses across the 2017 calendar year, with figures ranging from Swiss Re's $131bn to JLT Re's $140bn.

Reinstatement premiums and increased demand for back-up covers in the aftermath of last year's North Atlantic hurricanes boosted reinsurance brokers' organic revenues in the fourth quarter.

Early reporters within The Insurance Insider's coverage universe have so far mostly beaten consensus estimates for the fourth quarter, with share prices rising in reaction to the wins.

Underlying loss ratios in the fourth quarter increased at all but one of the P&C (re)insurers in our study, highlighting the prevalent trend of loss-cost inflation running ahead of earned rate.

Recent commentary from early reporters points to optimism that growth momentum is improving.

Though a small sample size, the initial data points from early reporters point to more pressure at Bermudians and better trends at US carriers.

Validus' AlphaCat asset management unit contributed more than half of the group's $120.8mn of fourth quarter notable losses.

Fourth quarter expense ratios at early reporters have shown some year-on-year improvement, although the US tax reforms had a negative impact at some firms.

The P&C (re)insurance industry experienced another cat-heavy quarter in the three months to 31 December, as a series of wildfires ravaged California.

On a wall of the Insider offices is a framed piece of original artwork that was published on the front cover of the fourth issue of the then London Insurance Insider.

As another earnings year draws to a close, we take a look at some of the big issues concerning top underwriting executives, as outlined on their Q4 calls with analysts.