Claims

PartnerRe report assesses strengths, weaknesses of risk transfer mechanisms

The choice of whether to use traditional reinsurance or capital markets to transfer risk “will depend on careful consideration of a number of different factors, including the risk, size of insurer and ability to absorb basis risk,” PartnerRe says in a recent report on insurance-linked securities.PartnerRe’s report, ‘A Balanced Discussion on Insurance-Linked Securities (ILS),’ identifies […]

By Canadian Underwriter | May 16, 2008

2 min read

Health costs, discount rates increase tort awards in catastrophic injury cases

In eight years, tort awards in catastrophic cases have increased from the Cdn$600,000-$7000,000 range to between Cdn$10 million and Cdn$15 million, Jess Bush, partner with Blaney McMurtry LLP, told delegates at the Insurance Law: Spring Update 2008 in Toronto on May 15. Health care costs are “going through the roof,” he noted, by way of […]

By Canadian Underwriter | May 15, 2008

2 min read

Earthquake in China causes estimated US$10 to US$20 billion in property damage

A 7.9-magnitude earthquake that rocked China on May 12 is estimated to have caused damage losses ranging between US$10 and $20 billion, according to catastrophe modelers. Risk Management Solutions (RMS) estimates property losses to be between US$10 and US$15 billion, while AIR Worldwide Corporation estimates total losses will exceed US$20 billion (with insured losses between […]

By Canadian Underwriter | May 14, 2008

2 min read

Tough winter conditions batter ING Canada’s 2008 Q1 results

Record snowfalls and severe winter storms in central Canada caused ING Canada’s 2008 Q1 profit to shrink from Cdn$126.2 million down to Cdn$23 million. ING Canada also cited lower operating income and declines in equity markets as factors in its 2008 Q1 results. “The harsh winter conditions during the first three months of the year […]

By Canadian Underwriter | May 14, 2008

1 min read