Risk

Insurers striving for balance in 2005: Heath Lambert

Despite the tumult of hurricanes, typhoons and tsunamis in 2004, insurers maintained a discipline last year that they hope will carry into 2005, according to the annual “State of the Market” report by broker Heath Lambert.2004 saw insurers display “a mature and disciplined approached to underwriting”, despite pricing softening in some classes of business. Despite […]

By Canadian Underwriter | February 7, 2005

1 min read

What’s new: In brief (February 06, 2005)

Zurich Financial Services Group says it will pay Equitas US$547 million to commute policies purchased from Zurich’s Centre operation by Lloyd’s syndicates reinsured by Equitas. Zurich says the agreement ends Centre’s exposure to those syndicates. “This commutation represents significant progress in the overall run-off of Centre’s liabilities,” notes a Zurich statement. A study by The […]

By Canadian Underwriter | February 6, 2005

1 min read

Reinsurers stress risk selection in the face of competition

Commenting on January 1, 2005 renewals, French reinsurer Scor says pricing was fragmented by line of business and geography, with specific rate erosion in short-tail lines as competition increased in the marketplace.Overall, the company says it expects annual premium income of EUR940 million on its p&c treaties, a 3% drop at current exchange rates. However, […]

By Canadian Underwriter | February 6, 2005

2 min read

Texas study vindicates use of credit scoring

The second phase of the study on credit scoring engaged by the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), has found the use of credit scores in underwriting “significantly improves pricing accuracy when combined with other rating variables in predicting risk”, according to insurance commissioner Jose Montemayor.Montemayor, who has been publicly skeptical of credit scoring, undertook the […]

By Canadian Underwriter | February 3, 2005

2 min read