Research
P/C Ratings Upgrades, Positive Outlooks Outpaced Negative in H1: A.M. Best
Property/casualty insurers can take comfort in the fact that ratings upgrades and positive outlooks outpaced downgrades and negative outlooks through the first half of 2016, according to a new A.M. ...
Many VW Keyless Systems Appear Vulnerable to Hacking
Tens of millions of vehicles sold by Volkswagen AG over the past 20 years, and some current models, are vulnerable to theft because keyless entry systems can be hacked using cheap technical devices, ...
Fitch Bumps Up Liberty Mutual’s Ratings Outlook
Liberty Mutual Group's ratings outlook has been bumped up to positive from stable at Fitch Ratings, reflecting an acknowledgment of improved operating performance. Fitch also affirmed the financial ...
6 U.S. Ports Are at Greatest Global Risk for High Natural Catastrophe Losses
Six U.S. ports are among 10 globally at biggest risk of high insurance losses stemming from earthquake, wind and storm-surge catastrophes, according to a new RMS analysis. The California-based ...
CROs in Place at Less Than 40% of Insurers: A.M. Best Survey
While more than 40 percent of insurers leave risk officer responsibilities to their chief executive officers or chief financial officers, just under 40 percent have a designated chief risk officer, ...
Captive Insurers Have a Strong Place in the U.S. Market: A.M. Best
Captive insurance companies rated by A.M. Best ended 2015 in strong form, recording pretax operating income of $1.4 billion, a 13.5 percent increase over 2014, according to a new A.M. Best special ...
Mutual Insurers Rebound (Slightly), Though Threats Remain: Swiss Re
Mutual insurance companies have gained back some of the global market share they lost due to demutualizations in recent years. Those gains are threatened, however, by new financial regulations, ...
Hedge Fund Reinsurers: Still Taking Heat From S&P, Lawmakers
Even as new waves of hedge fund reinsurers launch, one rating agency continues to question the basic business model—a model that also has critics among U.S. lawmakers who have tried unsuccessfully ...