October 2013/4

The onslaught from the capital markets on the property cat sector has reopened the debate about the future for reinsurers with a heavy focus on this line of business.

As US property reinsurance executives recover from the rigours of the pre-1 January industry gatherings, the attention shifts to executing on renewals that promise to see underwriters scrambling for position and brokers pushing the boundaries of a buyer's market.

Reinsurers fighting the double squeeze of capital markets competition in the property cat space and reduced demand in casualty reinsurance markets are responding by offering broader coverage on looser terms and conditions, according to market sources.

US commercial insurers have reported expanding underwriting margins in their third quarter results as improved rates and a benign quarter for catastrophe losses have had a broadly positive impact on earnings

Early data points from the third quarter reporting season suggest that commercial insurance price rises remained stable, despite some signs of the start of a moderation. The Insurance Insider compares all the early reporters...

International (re)insurers are once again hunting for acquisitions, with seven out of 10 firms planning a deal over the next three years, according to a survey by consultancy firm Towers Watson.

Shares in RSA spiked last week amid press reports that the UK's top commercial insurer is the subject of takeover interest from leading continental European rivals.

The auction of Lloyd's insurer Antares is about to heat up, with Evercore officially appointed to handle the sale and the investor memorandum due out shortly

Seasoned P&C insurance investor Lightyear Capital is continuing to reduce its exposure to the sector by mulling the sale of its majority stake in Houston International Insurance Group

Insurance broker Jardine Lloyd Thompson (JLT) has announced plans to restructure its highly regarded Peruvian business shortly after fending off an attempt by rival AJ Gallagher to poach some of its local employees.

A bigger-than-expected claim from the loss of the Perro Negro oil rig may weigh on London-listed (re)insurer Lancashire's third quarter results next week

Willis 360 Global already exists in three separate guises to meet the needs of its three capacity providers, and other forms could be developed to bring more carriers in, The Insurance Insider understands.