Property cat reinsurance rates remain attractive, market not yet soft: Jefferies

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Despite the fact property catastrophe reinsurance rates have moderated somewhat, analysts at Jefferies said the market remains attractive and they do not classify it as soft given pricing remains above 2022 levels at this time.

jefferies-logoCommenting on the property catastrophe reinsurance market after the mid-year 2025 renewals, the Jefferies equity analyst team highlight the influx of capital that helped to moderate pricing and make renewal outcomes more favourable for buyers.

“Increased capital deployed outpaced rising demand (estimated at ~10% increase in limit purchased) as increased capacity from newly formed reinsurers/syndicates/ILS funds more than offset incremental purchasing by cedants,” the analysts explained.

They highlight the very strong catastrophe bond issuance seen to-date, which as we explained recently has led to a new annual record being set by Artemis’ data.

Larger transactions and new sponsor entrants have helped to drive the catastrophe bond market to its record highs, but the Jefferies analyst team also think pricing remains attractive here despite some softening being seen.

“Despite larger transactions and new entrants in the market, CAT bond spreads, or pricing, have come in slightly since 1Q25 but are stable with 4Q24,” they explained.

While rates-on-line have fallen across many catastrophe reinsurance renewals this year, the analysts continue to see value in the sector for underwriters.

“Despite moderating rates, we believe property CAT returns remain attractive and do not view the market as soft given pricing is above 2022 levels,” the Jefferies team wrote.

Adding that, “Further, returns in Florida remain favorable despite pricing pressures relatively recent given tort reform.”

Jefferies analysis aligns with our recent article on a Peel Hunt report, which concluded that the inflection point into a full soft reinsurance market remains two to three years away.

Read all of our reinsurance renewal news coverage.

Property cat reinsurance rates remain attractive, market not yet soft: Jefferies was published by: www.Artemis.bm
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Unipol reportedly secured €300m aggregate reinsurance cover

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News continues to emerge that reflects the increased availability of aggregate reinsurance protection, as an analyst report shows Italian insurance and financial services group Unipol secured a planned €300 million aggregate reinsurance treaty to better protect it against smaller catastrophes and weather losses.

unipol-logoAggregate catastrophe protection, to provide reinsurance for smaller catastrophe and weather losses on an accumulating loss basis, has been a more challenging product to source for a few years.

As the reinsurance market hardened after 2022, appetite to deploy limit to cover aggregate losses diminished, while the cost of aggregate reinsurance and retrocession covers also rose.

But, in 2025, these covers have become more available and affordable as well, with the catastrophe bond market one leading source of annual aggregate protection once again.

While at the same time, European protection buyers have also found reinsurers and ILS capital more accommodating for buying aggregate reinsurance from.

We reported back in May that during an earnings call General Manager of Insurance at Unipol, Enrico San Pietro, said that the company was aiming to buy a new aggregate reinsurance arrangement this year.

Now, in an analyst report from Berenberg, details of that purchase have been revealed.

The Berenberg analysts, after holding a speed-dating event with numerous re/insurers present, explained that Unipol executives said that the aggregate cat reinsurance cover will provide €300 million of limit.

The agreement was signed in May and attaches once aggregate losses surpass a €350 million retention, it is reported.

It’s also said that the aggregate cover only protect Unipol for weather and catastrophe events that cost it less than €100 million, while its main catastrophe reinsurance treaty will continue to provide the protection for larger events than that.

The Berenberg analysts report that Unipol’s new aggregate reinsurance treaty covers weather and smaller cat losses to both its motor and non-motor books of business.

While this is further evidence of the appetite to deploy capacity to aggregate covers recovering, other companies at the Berenberg event highlighted that capital remains disciplined, with high deductibles enforced and only relatively low limits available.

Aggregate reinsurance and retrocession has always been considered more of an earnings than capital cover, protecting the ability of re/insurers to hit their profit targets even when frequency loss events are prevalent throughout the financial year.

As a result aggregate protection remains a very attractive buy and we’ve seen plenty of aggregate cat bonds issued this year, especially in industry-loss trigger retrocessional form for large reinsurance companies.

We’ve also reported on aggregate reinsurance purchases that have come to light from global insurer Zurich and Bermuda-based reinsurance firm Conduit Re.

In the outstanding catastrophe bond market, just under 40% of limits currently at-risk are deployed to provide aggregate reinsurance protection.

But in the last few months, the prevalence of aggregate deals has increased a little, further signalling recovering appetites to deploy capacity and capital to these opportunities, which is being supported by attachments and prices remaining relatively stable and attractive still.

Of course, the greater availability of aggregate reinsurance has been a trend we’ve followed for some months, with notably more reinsurance capital available to support well-structured aggregate deals towards the end of 2024, which led reinsurance buyers to become more hopeful as we moved towards 2025.

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Capital growth and pricing discipline drive stability at mid-year reinsurance renewals: Guy Carpenter

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The global reinsurance sector has entered the second half of 2025 with strong momentum, driven by a potent mix of capital inflows, favourable underwriting conditions, and robust investor returns, according to reinsurance broker Guy Carpenter.

guy-carpenter-logoDespite ongoing global economic volatility and insured losses nearing $70 billion through the first half of the year, the renewal trends seen at January 1 have largely continued, according to Marsh McLennan’s global risk and reinsurance specialist.

Although the first quarter of 2025 saw elevated loss activity, driven largely by the $40 billion in insured losses from the Los Angeles wildfires, insured loss activity moderated in the second quarter. As a result, aggregate losses are now flat compared to the inflation-adjusted five-year average.

Despite these events, reinsurers absorbed the impact without meaningful capital impairment. The sector ended 2024 with a record $607 billion in capital, and growth of 5% to 7% is forecast by year-end 2025.

In addition, reinsurer returns on equity were reportedly 16% in 2024 and are projected to be 15% in 2025, while reinsurance capital closed 2024 at an all-time high of $607 billion.

Guy Carpenter anticipates seeing a continuation of this trend, with capital growth of 5% to 7% by year-end 2025.

Dean Klisura, President and CEO, Guy Carpenter, commented: “The current trading environment is one of the most favorable for reinsurers in many years, evidenced by the additional capital being attracted to the sector.

“We see this as a tremendous opportunity to re-balance the market dynamics in our clients’ favor. More capacity will continue to moderate pricing, give clients more diversification of reinsurance partners, and provide better solutions to protect earnings.”

“Reinsurers easily absorbed the 5% to 7% increase in client demand for property catastrophe limit. Moreover, reinsurer capacity exceeded demand by more than 20%, driving risk-adjusted rate decreases of 5% to 15% for non-loss impacted programs, and risk-adjusted rate increases of 10% to 20% for loss-impacted programs,” Guy Carpenter explained.

Against this backdrop, the insurance-linked securities (ILS) market, particularly catastrophe bonds, has shown remarkable resilience and scale.

Issuance so far in 2025, across 144A cat bonds and private cat bonds sat at over $17.56 billion for the first half of 2025, which is very close to the Artemis-tracked annual record of $17.7 billion from full-year 2024, as new quarterly issuance records were set in both Q1 and Q2 this year.

Download your copy of the new Q2 2025 Artemis cat bond market report here to read more.

In 2025, GC Securities, Guy Carpenter’s capital markets arm, has led the way with 23 catastrophe bond placements, more than any other broker in the market year-to-date. This level of activity underscores continued investor demand for structured reinsurance risk, particularly as underlying insurance market conditions remain stable and loss activity has normalised.

Shifting focus to casualty, Guy Carpenter reported continued discipline at the Spring 2025 renewals, with two factors helping drive more stable outcomes.

“First, reinsurers and clients evaluated trading relationships across property, casualty, and specialty programs. Reinsurers looked to find balanced support across all programs for a given client.

“Second, carrier underwriting actions have improved casualty economics for reinsurers, particularly proportional programs where insurers share ground-up premium and loss.

“As a result, through mid-year renewals, ceding commissions on proportional placements generally renewed flat to slightly down following 18-24 months of reductions. Excess of loss placements continued to face rate pressure as loss severity drives more volatility for reinsurers – generally rates increased 10-20%, although each renewal was highly customized based on the individual portfolio,” the broker concluded.

Read all of our reinsurance renewal news coverage.

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ILS drives structural flexibility and softer pricing at July renewals: Gallagher Re

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A wave of alternative capital, led by a record-setting surge in catastrophe bond issuance, helped reinsurers meet growing demand without pushing prices higher at the July 1 renewals, according to Gallagher Re, as cedants secured improved terms in property and specialty lines.

gallagher-re-logoWhile traditional reinsurance capital reached a new high of $769 billion at year-end 2024, Gallagher Re’s latest 1st View report highlights the critical role of insurance-linked securities (ILS) and cat bonds in sustaining competitive pressure through mid-2025.

Issuance so far in 2025, across 144A cat bonds and private cat bonds we’ve tracked, sat at over $17.56 billion for the first half of 2025, which is very close to the Artemis-tracked annual record of $17.7 billion from full-year 2024, as new quarterly issuance records were set in both Q1 and Q2 this year.

According to Gallagher Re, this wave of transactions, driven by strong investor demand and sponsor confidence, ultimately helped reinsurers meet increased demand without pushing prices higher.

Commenting on the July 2025 reinsurance renewals, Tom Wakefield, CEO Gallagher Re, said: “Buyers generally experienced a more competitive reinsurance market at the July 1 renewal compared to recent years, with capacity available even where demand increased, and reinsurers looking to grow.

“Clients were largely able to secure risk-adjusted rate reductions for property treaties and were well-placed to hold pricing broadly flat in casualty lines – in part, as underlying pricing increases continue to flow through to reinsurers.

“With these conditions in place, clients had the opportunity to challenge the status quo, and secure improvements to the structure and terms of their property and specialty reinsurance programs.”

Reinsurers entered the July renewals in “good financial shape” Wakefield noted, with strong 2024 results and ROEs well above the cost of capital.

“Q1 results were weaker due to the impact of January’s unprecedented wildfires in Los Angeles, California, but barring further exceptional cat events, reinsurers remain on track for another good year overall,” Wakefield added.

“As noted in Gallagher Re’s Reinsurance Market Report in April, reinsurers are currently on track to deliver healthy ROEs in the mid-teens for 2025, with traditional reinsurance capital set to increase by another 6% (assuming average results for the rest of the year).”

Despite these fundamentals, cedants achieved risk-adjusted rate reductions of 10–15% on average in property catastrophe programs, particularly for loss-free or structurally enhanced portfolios.

“The increase in reinsurance dedicated capital has been driven mainly by retained earnings at the traditional reinsurance groups, rather than new entrants or capital raises.” Wakefield added.

“We are also collaborating with clients to utilize non-traditional capital vehicles, such as sidecars, where interest in accessing insurance risk remains robust.”

While traditional capital hit new highs, it was the alternative capital layer that gave buyers greater flexibility, helping maintain competitive tension and push back against previously hardened terms.

The cat bond market remained highly efficient, with a Q2 weighted average upsize at 27% indicating investor oversubscription, and a steady market multiple of 3.09, even amid increased issuance.

“The influx of deals in Q2 has been met with ample investor capital, with sponsors continuing to experience deal-upsizes and spread reductions,” Gallagher Re explained.

Gallagher Re also highlighted a 10% increase in property cat sidecar market size since the start of the year and noted that casualty sidecars are gaining traction, with several new entrants accessing the structure in H1.

This marks a growing willingness among ILS investors to engage with more complex and diversified risks outside the traditional property catastrophe space.

Looking ahead, Gallagher Re explained that 2025’s renewals are showing a consistent trend: a market in which the balance of supply and demand has tilted back toward reinsurance buyers.

Reinsurers are increasingly looking to deploy their significant capital, but they remain disciplined in their approach.

Wakefield, added: “Buyers generally experienced a more competitive reinsurance market at the July 1 renewal compared to recent years, with capacity available, even where demand increased, and reinsurers looking to grow.

“With these conditions in place, clients had the opportunity to challenge the status quo, and secure improvements to the structure and terms of their property and specialty reinsurance programs.”

Read all of our reinsurance renewal news coverage.

ILS drives structural flexibility and softer pricing at July renewals: Gallagher Re was published by: www.Artemis.bm
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After alternative structure review, Suncorp buys less reinsurance with minimal changes

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Australian primary insurance giant Suncorp Group has purchased a smaller reinsurance tower at the mid-year 2025 renewals and despite having spent time assessing alternative reinsurance structures, at this stage there appears to have been minimal change to its protection buying strategy.

suncorp-reinsurance-tower-2025-2026A year ago, Suncorp renewed its main catastrophe reinsurance tower to provide protection up to $6.75 billion, having lifted the top by $350 million at the mid-year 2024 renewal.

For the 2025 to 2026 year, Suncorp has reduced the size of its reinsurance tower and also non-renewed a drop-down arrangements, as it seemingly seeks to reduce its costs of protection, even while acknowledging improved reinsurance market conditions, from a buyer perspective.

The renewed reinsurance tower features catastrophe limit up to a smaller $6.3 billion for the coming year, with catastrophe reinsurance available for major events from the same $350 million retention, for first and second events.

There are subtle changes to the overall reinsurance structure, that should enhance its responsiveness for the buyer, but in the main adjustments seem minimal.

Recall that, earlier this year, Suncorp said it was assessing “alternative” reinsurance structures for its next renewal at the mid-year, as the company looks to optimise its protection arrangements.

While there may be alternative capital embedded in the renewed program, on a collateralized or fronted basis, the insurer has not taken the step of venturing into the catastrophe bond market, or launching any kind of insurance-linked securities (ILS) structure of its own.

Suncorp said today that the review “explored a range of markets and both traditional and alternative reinsurance structures, including whole of account quota shares and aggregate cover programs,” with a goal to optimise for shareholder value.

“The review concluded that our clear objectives of optimising outcomes for our shareholders and customers would be best met by the program announced today,” Suncorp CEO Steve Johnston.

“In the current market, capacity has increased significantly for main catastrophe covers and pricing has improved. For other types of cover, including aggregate covers, capacity remains limited and expensive.”

Johnston added that Suncorp will “continue to monitor both traditional and alternative reinsurance markets and assess
future opportunities in reference to the considerations outlined above.”

Johnston also commented on reinsurance costs, saying, “Over the past couple of years, reinsurers materially reset their appetite for deploying capital to cover smaller or mid-sized events in both Australia and New Zealand. This, and increased reinsurance pricing, has seen the cost of insurance, particularly home insurance, increase rapidly.

“While the pricing of household policies will continue to reflect underlying risks and broader economic inflation, it’s pleasing that this major input cost appears to have stabilised.”

The main Suncorp catastrophe cover will protect the company against losses from $500 million and $6.3 billion, with one full prepaid reinstatement.

A multi-year structured reinsurance solution has been brought in to replace the group cover that reduced the retention to the aforementioned $350 million. This new addition features a profit share mechanism and reinsurer losses are capped at $600 million over a three-year term.

Suncorp noted that this new multi-year solution comes with lower cost, as well as the potential profit share benefits.

In addition, a second reinstatement of the $500 million to $1 billion layer of the main catastrophe program has been added, while citing it as inefficient, Suncorp said a dropdown limiting losses from a second event to $250 million has not been renewed.

Group dropdown covers have been purchased to reduce the third and fourth event retention to $250 million as well, and an Australian dropdown program continues to reduce retention for a third and fourth event in Australia to $150 million, while in New Zealand, buydown cover (including a prepaid reinstatement) has been purchased to cover between NZ$200 million and the Group’s maximum event retention of $350 million, in line with last year.

Analysts are calling the Suncorp program minimally changed this morning, saying that the company appears to be trying to further reduce its protection costs, despite its growing exposure base.

The upshot of the slightly changed reinsurance program is an expectation of slightly lower costs again for Suncorp, “reflecting strong reinsurance rate reductions and changes to the program, partially offset by exposure growth in the portfolio,” the company explained.

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Reinsurance capital outstrips demand at mid-year renewals: Aon

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Global reinsurance capital outpaced demand at the 2025 mid-year renewals, fostering a more competitive environment for buyers, according to Aon. The firm also estimated that insurance-linked securities (ILS) capital remained stable at $115 billion as of the end of the first quarter, underscoring the ongoing strength and resilience of alternative capital sources.

“Coming at the start of the Atlantic hurricane season, June 1 and July 1 are key renewals for the U.S. and Latin America, as well as Australia and New Zealand. Despite an active first half for natural catastrophe losses, mid-year renewals experienced a broadly competitive environment as reinsurers, ILS markets and new entrants sought to deploy capacity and grow market share,” Aon explained in its mid-year 2025 renewals Reinsurance Market Dynamics report.

Global reinsurer capital rose by $5 billion to $720 billion in the first quarter of 2025, surpassing the previous record of $715 billion set in 2024, despite the financial impact of the California wildfires.

According to Aon, this growth was driven by strong retained earnings among established players, with two-thirds reporting double-digit annualised returns on equity.

At the same time, the catastrophe bond market posted record issuance in the first half of 2025 with the two largest transactions in the history of the market, each exceeding $1.5 billion.

In early May, Florida’s Citizens Property Insurance Corporation secured a then-record $1.525 billion of reinsurance from its Everglades Re II Ltd. (Series 2025-1) issuance.

Later on that month, State Farm then secured a record amount of reinsurance limit from the capital markets in a single visit in cat bond form, as it priced $1.55 billion of multi-peril protection via sponsorship of four Merna Re (Series 2025) cat bonds.

Moreover, Aon went on to note that reinsurance capacity was more than sufficient to absorb a near 10% increase in global demand for property catastrophe limit.

“The growth was largely driven by insurers in the U.S., influenced by significant depopulation of Florida’s windstorm insurer of last resort, Citizens. Other factors included inflation, model changes and revised views of natural catastrophe exposure, with recent wildfires in the U.S. and floods in Brazil prompting insurers to evaluate loss potential and protection needs,” the broker explained.

Furthermore, Aon estimates that equity reported by global reinsurers rose by $5 billion to $605 billion in the first quarter of 2025, continuing the recovery seen since 2022.

“The primary drivers have been strong earnings, following the market ‘reset’ in 2023, and the reversal of unrealized losses on fixed-income securities, due largely to the “pull-to-par” effect. Growth has been partly offset by increased capital returns to investors, as reinsurers look to reward loyalty,” Aon noted.

The broker added: “Alternative capital is estimated to have remained at a record high of $115 billion, with attractive market conditions encouraging existing participants to reinvest profits and new entrants to commit funds.

“Increased investor appetite is allowing many traditional reinsurers to expand their sidecar and/or catastrophe bond programs, enabling the deployment of additional capacity.”

Read all of our reinsurance renewal news coverage.

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PGGM / PFZW ILS portfolio gross return for 2024 was 25.2% unhedged

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We’ve reported before that the giant insurance-linked securities (ILS) portfolio managed by PGGM, the Dutch pension fund investment manager, on behalf of its end-client Dutch pension PFZW, had delivered a 15.1% net of costs return for calendar year 2024, on a Euro hedged basis.

pggm-pfzw-pension-investors-ilsThat was impressive enough, for a significant ILS investment portfolio that amounted to roughly US $8.7 billion in valuation terms at the end of last year, spanning numerous allocations to catastrophe bonds, private ILS, quota share sidecars and collateralized reinsurance, as well as the earnings generated by a sponsored rated reinsurer balance-sheet.

The PGGM ILS investment team, on behalf of PFZW, has spent years building-out a range of allocations and structures that allow the pension investor to efficiently access the returns of the reinsurance market, at the risk-return levels it desires and with the additional benefits of globally diversified exposures incorporated as drivers of returns.

As we reported in an article recently, the PGGM ILS allocation portfolio constructed on behalf of PFZW features 14 investments, across a wide range of structures and reinsurance partnerships.

This gives the investor optionality through the market-cycle, access to diversifying regions and perils, aligned partnerships, focused ILS fund manager strategies and self-managed private ILS account optionality, as well as the broad access to business and leverage that the Vermeer Re rated balance-sheet provides.

But now, in the latest annual report from the Netherlands based pension PFZW the raw performance-potential of the giant ILS and reinsurance investment portfolio has become clearer.

PFZW’s latest report for 2024 states that the gross return of the ILS and reinsurance investments amounted to an impressive 25.2%, before hedging and other costs were taken into account.

The cost of the ILS allocation is reported at just 0.5%, both on a hedged and unhedged basis, meaning the unhedged net return of the ILS portfolio came in at 24.7% for calendar year 2024.

Just as impressive is the fact the PFZW ILS and reinsurance investment portfolio outperformed its benchmark by 6.9% in 2024, both on the hedged and unhedged basis.

Which helps to drive home the value the Netherlands based pension fund derives from its investments into the ILS and reinsurance market.

While also serving to make clear the return-potential of a large and diversified ILS portfolio that has numerous access points to the reinsurance market through a variety of structures.

PGGM remains the largest single investor listed in our directory of pension funds and sovereign wealth funds investing in ILS and reinsurance.

PGGM / PFZW ILS portfolio gross return for 2024 was 25.2% unhedged was published by: www.Artemis.bm
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Hurricane Erick insured losses expected to fall ‘well below’ Otis: AM Best

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Estimated insured losses from Hurricane Erick, which struck Mexico’s Pacific coast last week, are expected to fall well bellow the US$1.97 billion insured losses from 2023’s Hurricane Otis, according to global ratings agency AM Best.

am-best-logoIn a new report, AM Best notes that losses from Erick are expected to be contained, with parametric insurance contracts unlikely to be triggered.

However, the agency warns that the current reinsurance market cycle could be further hardened by both Hurricane Erick and the ongoing trend of tropical storms rapidly intensifying into severe hurricanes due to rising ocean temperatures.

As we had reported, Erick rapidly intensified into a major hurricane as it approached landfall on Mexico’s Pacific coast, which for a time put the World Bank facilitated $175 million IBRD CAR Mexico 2024 (Pacific) parametric catastrophe bond on-watch.

As we later explained, the NHC reported that the minimum central pressure of hurricane Erick was 950mb at landfall, having risen as it neared the coast, which reduced the risk to the cat bond and left us believing it was unlikely to be affected by the storm.

We then later reported, that catastrophe bond and ILS investment manager Twelve Securis had confirmed that it does is not anticipate any impact to the World Bank catastrophe bond or any of the firm’s private ILS positions due to losses caused by Erick.

“In AM Best’s view, estimated insurance industry losses for Hurricane Erick will fall well below the USD 1.97 billion in insured losses from Hurricane Otis in 2023. However, storm damage from Hurricane Erick continues to be assessed as it was the strongest hurricane ever recorded along Mexico’s Pacific coast this early in hurricane season,” AM Best explained.

The agency noted that for most insurers with exposure in the affected Oaxaca and Guerrero states, the primary impact will likely stem from business interruption losses due to prolonged power outages, flooding, and food shortages.

“Lesser material losses are expected for commercial and residential infrastructure, as well as high-value hotels and resorts. The hurricane had reached Category 4 status before tapering off to a Category 3 storm at landfall,” the agency added.

“Mexico’s insurance industry is strongly capitalized and has sound levels of catastrophic provisions aimed at mitigating the effect,” said Salvador Smith associate director, AM Best.

Adding: “We’ll continue to monitor the financial impact of Hurricane Erick on rated companies, as well as credit risk with counterparts and liquidity among rated insurers.”

Hurricane Erick insured losses expected to fall ‘well below’ Otis: AM Best was published by: www.Artemis.bm
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Throes of soft reinsurance market still 2–3 years away: Peel Hunt

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The specialty re/insurance market may be starting to soften, but the inflection point into a full soft market remains two to three years away, according to a new report from Peel Hunt.

soft-reinsurance-cycleThis conclusion follows a series of in-depth meetings the firm’s analysts held with insurance and reinsurance underwriting management teams from key Lloyd’s market players, such as Beazley, Conduit Re, Hiscox, and Lancashire.

As part of a recent Lloyd’s market tour, Peel Hunt analysts held discussions with both insurance and reinsurance underwriters, focusing on rate adequacy, cycle management, and strategic positioning ahead of a potential downturn. Their findings suggest that while there are early indicators of softening in some lines, underwriting discipline and technical margins remain broadly intact across the market.

“We are 2-3 years away from being in the throes of a soft market, with 2025 underwriting margins still earning through the attractive rates written in 2023/24, and 2026 earning through very adequate rates written in 2025,” the analysts wrote.

The analysts also added: “All underwriters reiterated that Specialty (re)insurance rates remain adequate on average across the portfolio. However, there are a number of warning signs emerging.

“All teams we met did not dispute that Specialty (re)insurance remains a cyclical market, and that rates were likely to be on a downward trajectory from here.”

Peel Hunt also noted that the underwriters they met with suggest that the floor of the next downcycle is likely to be higher than the previous trough. According to the analysts this is primarily due to the higher-risk environment, particularly within the property catastrophe market, and lingering uncertainty around claims inflation, particularly in casualty classes.

“It is becoming harder to grow organically as the year progresses. However, there remain pockets of opportunity (eg Environmental Liability), as not all classes soften at the same pace, whilst a number of areas have already been softening for a while and at some point need to reset (eg Cyber, Aviation),” the analysts further explained.

Adding: “Property catastrophe lines remain very attractive at current rate levels, despite signs of high single-/low double-digit rate declines so far this year (Florida renewals down c.10% was not particularly disputed), whilst the broader Casualty market seems stable.”

Furthermore, Peel Hunt also highlighted that the underwriting management teams they met are better positioned to navigate the coming cycle than in prior iterations. Portfolios are more diversified, reserve buffers have been rebuilt, and there is a clear intention to actively manage capital and exposure as market conditions shift.

All carriers confirmed they would be prepared to reduce their Lloyd’s and reinsurance exposures if softening accelerates, while deploying outwards reinsurance (both quota share and excess-of-loss) to protect net margins and reduce volatility. In parallel, companies are expected to increase capital return measures, such as special dividends and share buybacks, to maintain investor discipline.

The analysts also noted that some meetings voiced concerns about the increase in broker facilities and the (smart) follow market, as well as the number of new MGAs/MGUs being created.

However, Peel Hunt stated that “so far this is not hurting rate adequacy”

Peel Hunt’s current modelling already incorporates a soft market scenario beginning this year and extending through 2028. At this stage, the rate of softening remains in line with expectations, and the analysts remain constructive on the sector’s near- and medium-term prospects.

“Meanwhile, we believe the cash and capital generation will be very attractive in the medium term, given the healthy rate adequacy we are seeing today,” the analysts concluded.

Throes of soft reinsurance market still 2–3 years away: Peel Hunt was published by: www.Artemis.bm
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Descartes expands US flood coverage with new parametric insurance offering

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Descartes Underwriting, the parametric risk transfer specialist, has announced the launch of a new fully customisable Flood-at-Location parametric flood insurance product for U.S. commercial customers.

descartes-underwriting-logoBacked by extensive research in flood modeling and advanced sensor systems, Descartes explained that its new offering upends the traditional approach to flood insurance, aiming to deliver better protection for businesses, investors, and homeowners associations.

According to the firm, the product provides coverage for any economic losses resulting from fluvial, pluvial and coastal flooding, with limits of up to $70 million available. Descartes also explained that payment is usually received by the insured within days.

Additionally, coverage can be tailored for one or more locations, and policies can be structured with flexible durations to match project timelines or client preferences, including multi-year terms.

“Additionally, any type of business and industry class may be covered. Any economic loss sustained is insured, including property damage, business interruption, and extra expenses. No direct physical damage is required to trigger a payout,” Descartes noted.

The firm continued: “Most importantly, companies with high historical flood losses–oftentimes facing the toughest renewal conditions–gain access to a customized, stable insurance solution. Policies are available in the surplus lines market in all 50 states.”

“Flood is often excluded or sub-limited in regular property policies and therefore may require stand-alone flood coverage. Flood-at-Location from Descartes is a superb supplement to Property All Risks insurance. It provides coverage for risks which the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) excludes (such as docks, piers, etc.) and can be designed to respond in excess of NFIP’s $500,000 limit, with a cost-efficient structure,” Descartes further explained.

Daniel Vetter, Head of Americas for Descartes, commented: “This responsive and remarkable new product delivers unparalleled, flexible flood coverage for commercial properties. For all the reasons that conventional insurance for flood is sometimes unsatisfactory–slow claims payments, exclusions, sub-limits, or a lack of availability–this parametric product will fill the existing gap we’re seeing in the market.”

Kevin Dedieu, Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Descartes, said: “This market-leading coverage follows intensive research and development conducted by Descartes in-house and with our technology partners. We developed this product because our brokers shared with us that commercial flood products available at the time did not meet their clients’ needs. We utilized our scientific approach to create this new, highly responsive product which leaves no gaps uninsured.”

Descartes expands US flood coverage with new parametric insurance offering was published by: www.Artemis.bm
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