Connecticut’s governor, Dannel Malloy, has announced that he will be introducing new legislation that could establish new performance standards for the state’s utilities companies. These new standards would require utilities companies to adopt more assertive practices in the event of natural disasters and other emergency situations. The recent spate of catastrophes in the U.S. has led to the formation of the legislation, especially as insurers warn that disasters could have significant and long lasting effects on the state’s economy. Hurricane Irene struck the state in April last year, causing significant…
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Insurance rates in Missouri to rise after troublesome year of natural disasters.
Missouri residents can expect to see higher rates for their homeowners insurance in the coming months thanks to the major disaster that struck the town of Joplin early last year. On May 22, 2011, a massive tornado rolled through Joplin, causing unprecedented damage throughout the town causing many businesses to shut down and leaving nearly a third of the town uninhabitable. The tornado cost the state millions of dollars in insured losses, and now insurers are looking to recovery some of that money. Several insurers have proposed rate hikes between…
Read MoreReport: Global economy able to withstand only one week of disruption caused by major catastrophic event
A new report from Chatham House, a policy institute for international affairs based in the UK, paints a very dire picture for the future of the global insurance industry. The past two years have been incredibly difficult in terms of insurance. Two record-breaking years for natural disasters have left the industry rattled and somewhat disoriented. The impact of these disasters has taken a toll on the global economy as well, damaging what was already a fragile structure. According to the report, the global economy can only withstand one week of…
Read MoreInsurance claims hit record highs in 2011 due to natural disasters
According to Munich Re, earthquakes and other natural disasters in 2011 led to record losses in the insurance industry, which are estimated to have reached $105 billion. The world’s largest reinsurer said that the earthquakes in Japan, and the tsunami that followed, contributed to those totals by adding nearly 16,000 deaths and estimated $35 to $40 billion in damages to the final figures. Munich Re added that the February quake in Christchurch, New Zealand, alone was responsible for another $13 billion in insured damages. Together those two earthquakes caused almost…
Read MoreReinsurance industry may be facing troubling times despite recent victories
After facing uncertain and worrisome times in 2008 and 2009, the global reinsurance industry has been enjoying the relative successes of the past two years. Those two years have made a major difference in the industry as new risk models were released, allowing reinsurers to judge the value of risk more accurately. While the industry is certainly experiencing a time of prosperity, there are a number of factors that are adding to concerns about the future and what can be done to mitigate disasters that may be looming on the…
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