NEAM Insights

Introduction In this Perspectives, we explore the utilization of asset allocation and reinsurance to achieve enterprise de-risking. We find asset reallocation combined with reinsurance to be the most effective means to manage an insurer’s return/risk profile following a more holistic enterprise-based framework. We believe there are few true caveats to the findings; however, several admonitions are offered impacting applications to individual companies. Read More

Introduction This issue of Perspectives highlights some of the recently proposed and implemented changes to ratings methodology and regulatory standards for insurers. For example, AM Best announced an innovation score in their financial strength ratings process. Additionally, Standard & Poor’s (S&P) broadly revamped its ratings methodology for insurers and modified how certain risk capital requirements will apply to financial guarantors. Read More

A cursory view of industry results presents a picture of improvement: Read More

A cursory view of industry results presents a picture of improvement: The largest increase in net premiums (10.7%) in 16 years A reduction in the combined ratio to better than breakeven (99.3%) Investment income growth at its highest level (14.7%) in the recent past A continued high level of policyholder surplus Read More

Considerations for Life Insurers’ Investments Insurance may seem pretty straight forward: insurers collect premiums or payments from customers and then pay out benefits to policyholders and beneficiaries as claims become due. What makes this process more complicated is the timing and severity of these claims. Read More

Insurance executives know it’s axiomatic that underwriting results are volatile, reflecting fortuitous events, competitive practices and even misjudgments. Although premium income has recovered from immediate post-financial crisis contractions, underwriting margins once again have turned negative. When combined with low investment income, the industry has netted low single digit returns on equity – potentially less than the cost of capital for some insurance companies. While there are underwriting market leaders, even those that outperform face challenges to their investment operations similar to other industry participants. Read More

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Recent History and Trends Recent premium growth for the property and casualty insurance industry has been hovering at 4% as the underwriting margin continues to show volatility and returned to unprofitable levels. Read More

In October 2017, AM Best released their new Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR) methodology that assesses the capital adequacy of the property/casualty and life/health insurers in North America. Read More

Recently, we explored how tax changes have influenced the attractiveness of tax-preferenced investments and the impact of accounting regimes and taxes on rating agency and regulatory solvency assessments.1 This Perspectives addresses the impact of these tax changes on risk tolerances and asset allocation when taxes are explicitly considered in the decision process. Read More

Regulatory and rating agency solvency assessment methods are evolving. A.M. Best is deploying its new capital adequacy model. NAIC Own Risk and Solvency Assessment (ORSA) regulatory documents are being filed by insurers. And, modifications to Solvency II requirements and the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) are underway. Read More