It looks like happy days are here again for the reinsurance fraternity in India, as the Reinsurance Expert Committee (REC) has recommended that after GIC Re, insurers should be allowed to obtain the best terms simultaneously from Indian reinsurers, foreign reinsurance branches, Lloyds India and cross-border reinsurers that satisfy eligibility criteria.

 

Weakening reserves are a key risk, says Mr Mike Reynolds, Global CEO of JLT Re, as he shares with us the concerns and priorities of the broker for the year ahead.

 

2017 was an eventful year for GIC Re. In an interview with Asia Insurance Review, Mrs Alice G Vaidyan, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, GIC Re, assesses their achievements during the year and their plans for the years ahead.

 

The Indian insurance industry has been on a roll for the last 17 years. It is now on a threshold to make the big jump into the super league. Mr R Chandrasekaran of General Insurance Council of India outlines what the non-life insurance industry has achieved over the years and what remains to be tapped.

 

PartnerRe plans to make greater strides in the life business as CEO Emmanuel Clarke explains the Bermudian reinsurer’s renewed focus in the segment.

 

As a leading industrial insurer in Europe, HDI Global now also wants to increase its foothold in Southeast Asia, says Managing Director of HDI Global Singapore Graham Silton.

 

Prospects are upbeat for the reinsurance industry in Indonesia that saw premiums grow by 13% to IDR8.35 trillion (US$535 million) in the first nine months of this year, according to the Indonesian General Insurance Association (AAUI). For 2018, the reinsurance growth rate is forecast at 10% to 15%.

 

We speak to the heads of some of India’s foreign reinsurers’ branches to see how their first full year of operations panned out.

 

Taiping Reinsurance general manager Polly Ho gives us some insights into the company’s plans and strategies for the region and beyond.

 

GIC Re’s Reena Bhatnagar talks about the progress made in climate change, the corporation’s recent loss and performance.

 

As Monte Carlo ends, it is time to plan for the 14th Singapore International Reinsurance Convention (SIRC) billed as the Asian Monte Carlo where 750 delegates from 41 countries have registered. The event is well supported by the industry with 18 sponsors and some 125 private meeting rooms or tables booked.

 

The Hong Kong Federation of Insurers (HKFI), the organiser of the Hong Kong Insurance Awards 2017 has announced the top three finalists for each of the 15 categories of the Awards.

 

Most Sri Lankan nonlife insurers should be able to absorb near-term volatility and the effects of adverse weather-related events given extensive use of reinsurance, said Fitch Ratings. However, frequent occurrence of major catastrophic floods could affect insurers’ capital. Reinsurance premiums paid by primary insurers are also likely to increase. 

 

Hurricanes Harvey and Irma thrust the perennial global protection gap starkly into the limelight, alongside rising threats from cyber and accumulation risks during the annual global reinsurance mart gathering in Monte Carlo. Asia Insurance Review reports.

 

In the digital world, many intermediaries face a bleak future and so they would have to reinvent themselves. While reinsurance brokers have a professional and important role to play in the industry, they are not immune to the changes around them. We speak with Mr Tony Gallagher, recently appointed CEO of Guy Carpenter’s Asia Pacific region, about its growth in the retrocession business, what its clients want, its plan for technology innovation and market outlook.

 

The National Reinsurance Corporation of the Philippines got itself a new CEO in August when Allan Rossi Santos took over. Asia Insurance Review sat down with him to discuss the state of the Philippines reinsurance industry, and his plans for the company.

 

Indonesia’s local reinsurance industry has grown significantly over the past two years, owing largely to protectionist regulations implemented by the Indonesian regulator. As the initial effect of the mandatory domestic cessions slows down, the industry continues its upward trend as Indonesian insurers close the protection gap.

 

The ever-increasing access to data by both individuals and corporates will help boost awareness of risk and the need to manage it, says Ms Jayne Plunkett, Swiss Re’s Regional President & CEO Reinsurance in Asia.

 

With Asia being the one region in the world with the most growth opportunities, reinsurers and RI brokers have a collective duty to do more, not less, to nurture the potential of the region. Using innovative digital technology, be it for new products, better processes or more effective distribution is the order of the day. These were the clear messages from Asia Insurance Review’s annual reinsurance roundtable to take the pulse of reinsurance in Asia this year. The Roundtable of nine – five brokers and four reinsurers – was upbeat about taking the industry forward with an emphasis on relationships and partnerships rather than just transactions, with a view to closing the penetration gap and facilitating a digital-led transformation. There was also an emphasis on cost drivers and cost control, as well as using the very precepts of reinsurance, being the free flow of ideas and capital, to forge a better tomorrow for clients.

 

Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria and the earthquake in Mexico have shown that the narrowing profit margins of non-CAT reinsurance lines are not sustainable. Mr Rene Lamer, Chief Executive, Singapore Branch of Sompo International, elaborates.

Mr Ken Lai of Generali Asia advises on the benefits of deep diving into the traditional reinsurance programme to optimise one’s capital efficiency. 

 

China’s non-life insurance industry has traditionally been underpinned by motor insurance, but that is changing. We spoke to Mr Qin Lu, CEO for both Aon Benfield Greater China and Aon Risk Solutions, China at the recent Rendez-vous de Septembre for his perspective on the industry’s new growth opportunities and the impact of regulatory developments on the mainland.

 

Fast-growing economy, digital economy, sharing economy, China has them all. Mr Eric Gao of Lloyd’s Insurance Company (China) Limited gives an overview and their outlook of this dynamic market.

 

Virtually no other insurance market is changing as dynamically as the Chinese non-life market. This becomes clear just from looking at global megatrends like digitalisation and automation. While these topics dominate discussions about the future in many markets – almost to the exclusion of all others – in China, they are only part of a long list of challenges. Mr Christoph Hoch of Munich Re Greater China, explains what these challenges are, what the government is doing about them, and how insurers can benefit from cooperation with Munich Re on the road to the future. 

 

There is no doubt China’s (re)insurance industry holds abundant potential, especially with strong governmental support. But to continue on the success track, Swiss Re’s President of China, Mr John Chen, says the market also needs a paradigm shift in underwriting.

 

Mr Thomas Lillelund, CEO of Aspen Re and immediate past Chairman of Singapore Reinsurers’ Association (SRA)

 

Formed in 2008, TigerRisk Partners, a privately-held risk, capital and strategic adviser to the insurance and reinsurance industries, has gone beyond the traditional reinsurance realm, by providing specialised services and new innovative products.

 

Reinsurance comes into sharp focus this month as the Singapore International Reinsurance Conference (SIRC) comes to town with the theme: New Partnerships in Reinsurance. With the event dubbed the Monte Carlo Rendez-vous of Asia, attracting nearly 1,000 delegates, our Cover Story provides a take on the Asian perspective of the reinsurance market.

 

What will it take to expand Asia’s nascent insurance-linked securities (ILS) market? It is a worthwhile goal, and necessary steps towards market maturity are being taken. Interested capital is plentiful, yet despite a 7% growth of third-party reinsurance capital world-wide in 2017 (compared to 2% for reinsurance capital overall, according to Aon Benfield), little ILS capacity is deployed in Asia. Mr Stephen J Moss of RMS gives an overview of the current ILS status in the region.

 

The 25th FAIR Conference in Bahrain lists innovative use of technology and development of talent as insurance industry’s top priorities in battling emerging risks.

 

The market remains highly competitive not just in motor and medical but more so in fire where the increasing claims and severity of fire incidents in high-rise buildings seem not to have caused any hardening.

 

While domestic markets remain important to MENA reinsurers, they are also looking further afield for diversification in order to stabilise earnings against the uncertainties and volatility of their local markets, said A.M. Best in a new report, “Stormy Currents Emerging for MENA Reinsurers”.

 

The Central Insurance of Iran (CII), the insurance regulator and the largest domestic reinsurer, has announced an agreement with France’s SCOR, under which the global reinsurer will cover catastrophe excess of loss reinsurance for Iran.

 

Egypt’s largest insurer Misr Insurance and a new reinsurance intermediary, SHIELDS Reinsurance Brokers, have both received licences from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) to operate in the DIFC. 

 

Saudi Cooperative Reinsurance Co (Saudi Re) has completed the acquisition of 49.9% of the Bermuda-based Probitas Holdings (Bermuda) Limited (PHBL), according to a statement on Tadawul issued by the reinsurer.

 

Foreign reinsurers’ branches in India feel that the existing order of preference giving GIC Re the first right of refusal does not afford them a level playing field. 

 

Asia Insurance Review spoke with GIC Re general manager Devesh Srivastava to understand the reinsurer’s plans to expand its global footprint, especially in Europe.

 

The Russian National Reinsurance Company (RNRC) was established by Russia’s Central Bank in August 2016 but only started operations in January 2017. However, it has already gained CIRC’s approval to operate in China in the specialty market, and has been granted a licence in Egypt. We caught up with Vice-President of Business Development Igor Karpovich at the SIRC 2017 to learn more about the reinsurer’s hunger for new business in the region.

 

As a new reinsurance player gearing up for just its second renewals, following the transfer of the private market reinsurance business from CCR to a new subsidiary, CCR Re, beginning this year, the reinsurer is optimistic about the year ahead. At the SIRC, we spoke with Mr Laurent Montador, Deputy CEO at CCR and CCR Re about their plans.

 

Dr Peter F Hugger is the man at the helm of Echo Re since February 2012. Having spent a considerable part of his 30-year professional life in Asia, with some of the top names in the reinsurance business, he is now ready to chart a new course for Echo Re in Asia, where the company already has a big presence and where he believes lies the opportunity for international players like his. He speaks to Asia Insurance Review on his new plans and strategy for the region, and the future ahead for his company.

 

Samsung Re has been keeping a low profile since its inception in 2011 but of late, the reinsurer has adopted a new strategy to expand its operations beyond its group business and into newer territories across Asia. We speak to Mr Tae Y Choi, CEO, Samsung Re at the SIRC, to find out the plans and strategies ahead for the company.

 

The insurance industry in Bhutan, which is among the smallest countries in the world, has been growing at an average of 20% in the past five years and is expected to maintain this momentum going forward. There are currently two insurance companies operating in the market. GIC Bhutan Re is the sole reinsurer in the market.

 

All parties involved in Asia Capital Re’s (ACR) US$1-billion sale to Shenzhen Qianhai Financial Holdings and Shenzhen Investment Holdings, have jointly decided to walk away from the deal, due to additional approvals required by the Chinese regulators.

 

Peak Reinsurance Company, the Hong Kong-based global top-43 reinsurer, has been authorised as a life and general reinsurer by the MAS to carry on reinsurance business in Singapore since 2 November 2017. 

 

Soft insurance markets, low investment returns and rapid advent of digitalisation were some of the issues discussed at the recent 25th FAIR Conference. We bring key highlights.

 

Industry players have mostly managed to cruise along amid a tough investment climate and excess capacity, thanks to benign loss activity over the past several years. But Allianz Re CEO Amer Ahmed says changes are due, particularly in pricing, if the reinsurance market is to survive.

 

Despite its continual efforts, Asia’s protection gap continues to stare the industry starkly in the face. Mr Roland Eckl, CEO Asia Pacific (Japan, Korea, India & Southeast Asia) of Munich Re believes there are only two key ways out of this conundrum.

 

As India awaits the release of new draft reinsurance regulations by IRDAI, we speak to Indian reinsurance veteran Mr R Raghavan.

 

Natural catastrophe events caused economic losses of approximately US$320 billion globally last year, of which $128 billion were insured. This is according to estimates by Aon Benfield in its latest Reinsurance Market Outlook report – thus marking 2017 as the third-costliest year after losses in 2011 and 2005. 

 

Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated (RGA) and RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd (RenaissanceRe), have announced the launch of Langhorne Re, a global reinsurer targeting large in-force life and annuity blocks.

 

The Macau non-life insurance industry’s ability to withstand 2017’s Typhoon Hato (Hato) shows that despite the market’s small size, it remains a healthy one, helped by strong capitalisation and earning capabilities as well as reinsurance plans, according to an A.M. Best briefing.

 

Market participants in India have now transcended from finding the ideal reinsurance partner globally to having them in India itself! It is indeed ‘The New World of Reinsurance in India’.

 

Asia Insurance Review speaks to Ms Marjorie Ngwenya, President of Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, UK, as she shares her views on IFoA’s new initiatives, her vision for the future of the profession, pricing and affordability of insurance, India and emerging risks. 

 

Having ushered in somewhat harder rates at the 1/1 renewals due to Nat CATs, opportunities on the Mainland and regulatory changes figure among the key issues for this year. We speak to a few reinsurance players in Hong Kong about their thoughts on the market.

 

The world’s largest government funded healthcare programme which is expected to benefit 500 million beneficiaries was announced by the Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in his Budget proposal presented in February for the 2018-19 fiscal year (FY2019). We look at the challenges before the government in getting this programme off the ground and running.

 

On the sidelines of the 11th India Rendezvous 2018 in Mumbai, Ms Inga Beale, CEO of Lloyd’s of London, shared with us her thoughts on the global (re)insurance markets, especially in emerging Asia, and their focus on achieving a sustainable pricing for all. 

 

With a record 700 delegates from 38 countries, hectic networking, engrossing discussions and effective bilateral meetings, the 12th India Rendezvous, Reinsurance: Disrupted, in Mumbai from 22 to 24 January set important milestones. 

 

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India released revised reinsurance regulations. Apprehension and misinterpretation still exist, however. 

 

 

The direct financial impact of COVID-19 outbreak on the (re)insurance industry is likely to be limited. 

 

AXIS Re combines the agility of a mid-sized company with the sophistication of a global player. Set up in 2001, it is now emerging as a serious player on the Asian reinsurance turf as well. Asia Insurance Review speaks with the new CEO of AXIS Re, Mr Steve Arora, to understand more about the reinsurer’s Asian commitment.

 

National Reinsurance Corporation of the Philippines’ Mr Augusto Hildalgo illustrates how AI, digital transformation, climate change, talent crunch and pricing are playing out in this fast-developing market.

Munich Re is streamlining resources in Asia to ensure greater agility and responsiveness to local markets. Mr Roland Eckl, who was appointed Chief Executive Asia Pacific in January and will relocate to Singapore later in September to head a newly formed regional centre, shares the reinsurer’s reworked vision for the region. 

 

Mr Jong-Gyu Won of Korean Re gives an overview of the April 2017 renewals in Japan, North America and India, highlighting the pressures on prices as reinsurance capacity remains affordable.

 

Before long the street markets of Asia will have vendors selling tee shirts printed with one of the Belt and Road Initiative graphics that have graced every newspaper and magazine in the region since they were first photoshopped. But what does BRI in Thailand mean for insurers?

 

Speciality reinsurance broking in Asia could still be a growth area for global specialists. RKH Specialty CEO Asia Pacific Stuart Beatty outlines some of the opportunities as well as the impediments to growth.

 

Asia Insurance Review talks with Swiss Re’s Phuong Hanh Nguyen and Winnie Ching for their views on reinsurance prospects within the non-life and life segments.

 

Excellent management of cyclone Fani by the eastern Indian state of Odisha, has become a text-book example of how to manage natural catastrophes although the government is now faced with the task of post-disaster reconstruction. 

 

Asia Insurance Review spoke to several market participants on how Singapore can to sustain its position as a leading reinsurance hub.  

 

Born and bred in Hong Kong, Peak Re has built a profitable business in the SAR from scratch by being an on-the-ground, close and robust business partner to its clients and emphasising its long-term commitment to the market.

 

Life reinsurers evolve in response to new and more complex risks. They increase their value by taking advantage of their comprehensive understanding of risks and adopting a positive attitude towards innovation. Asia Insurance Review speaks with four global reinsurers to understand their expansion, innovation, risk appetite, technology and market support strategies.

 

Myanmar authorities are working with India’s only state-run reinsurer to revise insurance and reinsurance laws.

 

Asia Insurance Review does a stocktake of reinsurance in Taiwan, where three’s company - and a crowd with ample global competition – since 2010.

 

Swiss Re has been consistently integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations into its investment process since the start of 2017. It is among the first in the (re)insurance industry to do so.

 

The World Bank has launched specialised bonds aimed at providing financial support to the Pandemic Emergency Financing Facility (PEF), the insurance mechanism it introduced a year ago to rapidly disburse funding to developing countries facing pandemic risks.

 

Onshore reinsurers in China facing tight underwriting margins can anticipate further competition from neighbouring Hong Kong soon.

 

How is risk appetite helping insurance companies make better decisions about reinsurance needs? WTW asked insurance executives across the globe to weigh in on their views. 

 

China’s Belt and Road Initiative will bring the global economy enormous growth and investment opportunities, estimated by Swiss Re to be worth an additional $23bn in commercial insurance premiums by 2030. However, BRI projects also bring with them risks. The first-ever Insurance Summit on BRI organised by Asia Insurance Review saw experts discuss these issues.

 

According to a recent international survey of insurers by Willis Towers Watson, pressure from investors are causing insurers to become less tolerant of missed earnings targets. They are moving to more sophisticated metrics such as return on equity and economic capital as a result.

 

Bermuda reinsurer Partner Re will marry its technical heritage with greater client-centricity, says Mr James Beedle, Head of Asia-Pacific & CEO of Partner Reinsurance Asia. 

 

Reinsurance premiums in India are projected to increase at 11-14% CAGR over the next five fiscal years to hit INR700 billion (US$11 billion) by 31 March 2022, says state-owned GIC Re in its draft red-herring prospectus.

 

Since opening their sole international branch in Singapore 10 years ago, Turkish national reinsurer Milli Re has been doing good business across Asia Pacific. Mr Chew Kwok Choong, CEO, gives us his insight on the markets in Asia, and Milli Re’s plans moving forward.

 

Reinsurers play an increasingly important role in most insurance markets in Asia and each year the expectations grow. So this year, in our coverage to kick start the renewal season with Monte Carlo, we polled a team of “seven wise” insurers around the region from big and small markets to gauge their expectations. Reinsurers have big shoes to fill. The market awaits.

 

We bring you a quick round-up of the experience of some of the foreign reinsurers with approved branch offices in India in the 1 April renewals this year, and highlight their vision for the market.

 

The advancement of (re)insurance hubs in Asia has created unparalleled opportunities for insurance groups.

 

As Asia’s elderly population, (re)insurers in Asia address the healthcare needs of their ‘silver’ customers. How is the industry helping with ‘healthy ageing’.