From Editor-in-chief

Great Eastern: No longer just a life insurance company

Mr Chris Wei, Group CEO of Great Eastern Holdings, shares what it means to not just be a life insurance company, his hopes that the organisation can lead the way in changing the negative image some may have of the industry, and that it is a journey...

Labuan Re: consolidating for growth in the new environment

With the increase in CAT occurrences, and competition in Asia, Mr Mohammad Rais Abu Noh, President and CEO, Labuan Re, tells us how the reinsurer has consolidated its position and how it will be pushing for growth in reinsurance and retakaful amidst...

Atradius: Credit insurance remains little used

A relatively new segment in Asia, credit insurance remains little understood and used in most of the region. Mr Michael Frigo, Regional Manager - Southeast Asia of Atradius Credit Insurance N V, is nonetheless optimistic of the segment's prospects...

CATs: Earthquakes - Mitigating the damages from devastations

The world seems a more dangerous place with earthquakes, hurricanes, floods and other natural catastrophes causing devastation around the world. In our Cover Story on earthquakes, we look at how insurers can help to minimise these risks, bridge the...

CATs: Earthquake: Risks and insurance

Each year features new headlines about deadly and devastating natural catastrophes in different parts of the world. From floods and droughts, to earthquakes and storms, these natural catastrophes claimed almost 9,000 lives and resulted in economic...

CATs: Earthquake: Assessing earthquake risk in Taiwan

Taiwan is one of the most seismically active regions in the world. Mr Michael Spranger, Mr Brad Weir and Mr Rahul Patil from Aon Benfield Analytics share a detailed report on catastrophe threats faced by the island, mitigating measures taken and the...

Climate Risk: The role of insurers in strengthening business resilience to climate risk

Mr Kunio Ishihara of Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance discusses the role of insurers in supply chain resilience, and how climate change poses particular threats to these supply chains across Asian markets.

Microinsurance feature: The market is its own incentive

Despite some breakthroughs and successful developments, microinsurance has still not taken off totally. We look at the persistent challenges and how they can be artfully overcome.

Microinsurance feature: Innovative ideas make microinsurance successful

Mr Andreas Kleiner of ERGO International AG says for microinsurance to be successful, the industry needs to abandon normal insurance conventions and apply innovative solutions.

A stronger integrated regulatory framework for Malaysia

With the proposed Financial Services Act slated to come on stream this year, insurers as well as takaful operators have been preparing hard. The impact of this regulation is significant as Bank Negara seeks to promote financial stability with this...

M&As to heat up further

The growth potential in Malaysia in both the economy and the insurance industry continues to draw attention. With the proposed Financial Services Act on licensing, more hustle and bustle is expected on the M&A front. By Benjamin Ang

Which way next?

With Malaysia's insurance penetration remaining broadly constant for the last 10 years, is this a market that still offers relatively attractive opportunities for growth? Mr Ben McDermott and Mr Wan Saifulrizal Wan Ismail, both from Towers Watson,...

Sri Lanka: Interview with the Regulator: The future is in RBC

Mrs Indrani Sugathadasa, Chairperson, Insurance Board of Sri Lanka, is a lady with a mission. In this exclusive interview, she speaks of her vision for the future of the country's insurance industry and the challenges ahead.

Sri Lanka: Market poised for major growth

With the good growth of the Sri Lankan economy and the impact of liberalised import policies for vehicles for a period, the insurance market grew steadily over the last few years. It is now preparing to move to a RBC regime and insurers are positive...

The Geneva Association: Potential consequences of pandemic risks

In this extract from the Geneva Association Newsletter, Ms Bridget Browne and Mr Aaron Bruhn from the Australian National University and Mr Alex Huynh from Booz & Company present a broad overview of potential impacts arising from a severe pandemic.

Business interruption: Coverage for CATs and pandemics

Mr Simon McConnell and Ms Mun Yeow of Clyde & Co Hong Kong assess business interruption covers in times of catastrophes and pandemics, looking specifically at hotel claims for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the SARS pandemic.

Risk management goes global

Mr Glen Drinnan of FM Global says multinational risk managers need a risk management plan which is a concerted global effort from numerous players.

Insurance risk and finance research centre: Managing longevity risk: Construction and applications of mortality indexes

Dr Jackie Li of the Insurance Risk and Finance Research Centre and Dr Johnny Li of the University of Waterloo explore the feasibility of constructing appropriate mortality indexes to help insurers manage and transfer longevity risks.

Takaful focus: Fulfilling the takaful promise

What more can be done to realise takaful's potential? We bring you a roundup of the various speakers at the 8th Asia Takaful Conference in Singapore on making this potential a reality.

Bancassurance focus: The magic of banks: 50% of insurance policies are sold through banks

Speakers at the 14th Asia Conference on Bancassurance & Alternative Distribution Channels share their optimism in bancassurance which accounts for half of policies sold in many Asian markets.

Asia: Six regulators adopt commitment to inclusive insurance

Representatives of six Asian insurance regulatory authorities - from Indonesia, Mongolia, Nepal, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam - have adopted The Cebu Declaration on Inclusive Insurance, which recognises the challenges to providing risk...

Asia: S&P's revised criteria's ratings on six reinsurers

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services has applied its revised ratings criteria for insurers during its review of the ratings on six reinsurance companies based in Asia-Pacific and their related parents and subsidiaries.

Australian life sector sees 10-year-high lapse rates

Life insurers have estimated that policy lapse rates have increased to a 10-year high of 15% today from 12.5% five years ago. The higher lapse rates are due to more people deciding to reduce their insurance covers or cancelling their policies...

Insuring evolving terrorism threats

It is important terrorism insurance buyers understand the scope of coverage that is offered in the market and whether this is sufficient for their needs as the terrorism threat is "complex, nuanced and constantly evolving", said a new technical...

Tokio Solution, GC Securities launch private CAT bond platform

Tokio Solution Management (Tokio Solution) - wholly -owned subsidiary of Tokio Millennium Re (TMR) - has collaborated with GC Securities, a division of MMC Securities, to bring sponsors the Tokio TensaiTM Platform - a more efficient platform for...

Insured losses from Europe floods could reach US$4 bln

The recent floods in Central Europe are expected to result in about EUR3 billion (US$3.99 billion) in insured losses, according to Fitch. Most claims are likely to be on homeowners' contents and motor policies, as well as business interruption, said...

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