Coalition for Competitive Insurance Rates oppose new laws for foreign reinsurance companies

Two laws currently before Congress have found opposition from the Coalition for Competitive Insurance Rates, a group of businesses and consumers that rely on low rates stemming from competition in the national insurance market. The legislations in question are H.R. 3157 and S.B. 1693. Both laws impose greater taxes on foreign insurance and reinsurance companies that wish to do business within U.S. borders. The Coalition fears that this will dissuade foreign companies from entering the market, thereby reducing competition and raising insurance prices. Currently, the majority of the reinsurance needed…

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Reinsurance 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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1 in 10 European insurance companies fail stress test despite a robust market

The European insurance industry is in a state of flux, according to a new study from the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA). The organizations recently conducted a stress test of nearly 130 as yet unidentified insurers. The test showed that the insurance market is quite robust, which means that most insurers are able to procure new clients and produce significant revenue. However, the thirteen unnamed insurance companies failed the test. Based upon its findings, the EIOPA estimates that these insurers would not be able to handle the impact…

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Reinsurance industry’s future is stormy, may be at risk in the event of a major natural disaster

The global reinsurance industry is under enormous pressure to quickly recover from the calamitous events that happened all over the world earlier in the year. Natural catastrophes have taken a massive toll on insurance companies worldwide, and as these companies hemorrhage money, so too do reinsurers as they pour funds into these companies to keep them afloat. While the severity of disasters occurring earlier in the year has not been overtly cataclysmic, the frequency in which they occurred has put strain on a somewhat unstable global economy. Now, insurance and…

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Taking a look at the reinsurance market pulse as we head into hurricane season

We are now on the cusp of hurricane season. Storm predictions have called for “above average” activity this year; just as we roll out of record setting tornado activity over the last two months. The cushion of excess capacity is gone or nearly gone for most insurers and reinsurers. One more natural disaster could be the tipping point that leads to the turn in the (insurance) pricing cycle. We know capacity is just a part of the many aspects to take into account when evaluating the reinsurance sector. However, the…

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