Alan Gray Selected to Provide Run-Off Administration Services for ECRA and CMC Reinsurance Pools
Weekly Articles
Adenia has acquired a majority stake in Minet Group from CapitalWorks, strengthening its presence in the African insurance and reinsurance brokerage market. The transaction reflects continued investor interest in African insurance distribution and risk management services as the continent's insurance penetration grows.
Flood Re is celebrating its 10-year anniversary as the UK's flood reinsurance scheme, reflecting on a decade of providing affordable flood insurance to high-risk households. The scheme has supported millions of policies and helped improve flood resilience while demonstrating the value of public-private partnerships in addressing climate-related risks.
Carbon has announced a significant growth equity investment from FTV Capital, providing capital to accelerate its expansion in the U.S. specialty insurance market. The funding will support Carbon's technology-driven underwriting platform and growth initiatives across its property and casualty lines.
U.S. property claim volume fell 8.9% year-over-year and 13.1% below the five-year average in the first quarter of 2026, even as water claims rose 6% and winter storms produced significant ice, snow and collapse losses. Verisk attributed much of the decline to changes in policy language, including ACV-only settlements, higher deductibles, and wind/hail provisions that shift more costs to policyholders and reduce filed claims.
Gallagher Re has published its latest "First View" report, offering insights into current reinsurance market conditions and strategic considerations for cedents. The analysis highlights opportunities for creativity in structuring programs amid a shifting market environment with varying levels of rate pressure and capacity availability.
Hippo Holdings has announced an enhanced partnership with Accelerant to expand access to the specialty insurance market. The collaboration will leverage Accelerant's platform and reinsurance capabilities to support Hippo's growth in targeted specialty lines and improve product offerings for brokers and policyholders.
QBE Insurance Group has become the sole owner and shareholder of Raheja QBE General Insurance Company Limited. The transaction allows QBE to fully consolidate its Indian general insurance operations and strengthen its presence in the growing Asian market.
Verisk has estimated that economic losses from the June 24 Venezuela earthquake sequence will exceed $10 billion. The analysis highlights significant insured losses and the potential impact on reinsurance and insurance markets in the region.
Accelerant has announced an enhanced partnership with Lloyd's through the launch of the ARX Consortium. The new consortium will provide additional capacity and specialist underwriting solutions for Accelerant's clients and partners in key lines.
Lockton has appointed Alberto Ferriolo as Regional Growth Leader for Marine and Transportation in Asia. Ferriolo brings extensive experience in marine and transportation risk and will drive growth and client development across the region.
Howden Re has described the 1 July 2026 Australia and New Zealand reinsurance renewal as orderly, with discipline prevailing in a softening market. The broker noted that while rates continued to ease in most lines, reinsurers rewarded well-performing portfolios with more favorable terms and maintained pricing firmness in higher-risk catastrophe exposed business.
Contract disputes related to the Strait of Hormuz are emerging as a major issue for shipping and marine insurance, as parties navigate force majeure claims and coverage questions following recent disruptions. The situation is creating uncertainty around policy wordings, war risk exclusions, and liability allocation in one of the world's most critical shipping routes.
Incline PC Group has announced an enhanced partnership with Accelerant, expanding capacity and capabilities for specialty insurance programs. The collaboration strengthens Incline's ability to deliver innovative solutions and broader coverage options through Accelerant's platform and reinsurance support.
Goldman Sachs analysts said primary insurers will bear the brunt of second-quarter loss events, with reinsurance recoveries limited by higher retentions and attachment points. The report highlights that while cat losses are expected to be significant, the impact on reinsurers will be muted compared to primary carriers due to the current structure of reinsurance programs.
Aon's Reinsurance Market Dynamics Midyear 2026 Renewal Report shows record reinsurance capital of $790 billion creating greater flexibility for insurers, with double-digit pricing reductions and improved terms on property catastrophe placements at the June and July renewals. Global reinsurance demand rose more than 10 percent, with reinsurers showing strong appetite for U.S. business and openness to customized solutions, while specialty lines such as marine and war risk remain sensitive to geopolitical developments.
The Fidelis Partnership has launched Adroit, a new U.S. SME casualty reinsurance Managing General Agent. Adroit will focus on providing capacity and solutions for small and medium-sized casualty risks, leveraging Fidelis' expertise to address a growing segment of the U.S. reinsurance market.
The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation and the World Bank's MIGA have agreed on a political risk insurance framework to support a U.S.-Ukrainian reconstruction investment fund. The arrangement is designed to reduce risk and catalyze private sector investment in strategic sectors such as minerals and energy as Ukraine continues to rebuild amid ongoing conflict.
The U.S. Supreme Court in a 7-2 decision ruled that federal pesticide law preempts state-law failure-to-warn claims against Bayer's Roundup weedkiller, overturning a $1.25 million Missouri jury verdict in favor of plaintiff John Durnell. The ruling is expected to significantly aid Bayer's efforts to resolve its massive Roundup litigation, including a proposed $7.25 billion settlement, while environmental groups and public health advocates criticized the decision as harmful to consumers.
Camp Mystic, the Texas girls camp where 28 people died in flash floods last summer, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to resolve wrongful death claims filed by families of the victims. Lawyers for the families called the filing a litigation tactic, while the camp's counsel said the goal is to equitably address claims amid investigations that highlighted failures in emergency planning and location risks.
A federal judge in California rejected Meta Platforms' bid to dismiss a lawsuit by 29 state attorneys general accusing Facebook and Instagram of being designed to addict children and concealing the harm. U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers found material factual disputes over the platforms' addictiveness and Meta's public statements, allowing the case to proceed toward an August trial.
Acrisure has introduced Asero Insurance Services, combining its specialty MGAs under a unified brand to streamline operations and enhance market presence. The new platform consolidates expertise across multiple specialty lines, aiming to deliver improved solutions and growth opportunities for brokers and clients.
Allianz has launched Slick Cover, a new car insurance product designed to provide simplified and flexible coverage for UK drivers. The offering aims to deliver faster quotes, enhanced digital experience, and tailored options for personal and small fleet vehicles.
ANV has entered into an agreement to acquire Assured Underwriting Group, expanding its presence in specialty insurance. The acquisition will enhance ANV's product offerings and distribution capabilities in key lines, supporting its growth strategy in the U.S. and international markets.
AM Best has released a market segment report on Managing General Agents, highlighting how MGAs are adapting to changing market demands and increased regulatory and carrier scrutiny. The analysis notes strong growth in the MGA sector alongside challenges around underwriting discipline, technology adoption, and maintaining carrier relationships in a competitive environment.
Aon has published an analysis highlighting how casualty risk is increasingly rewriting balance sheet exposure for businesses and insurers. The report notes rising severity trends, social inflation, and nuclear verdicts are driving higher reserves and capital requirements, prompting companies to reassess their risk management and insurance strategies.
SiriusPoint has launched a new Fine Art & Specie offering, expanding its specialty insurance capabilities. The initiative is supported by the appointment of Mark Aspinall, who brings deep expertise in this niche line to lead the product development and underwriting strategy.
Willis has launched CyMAX, a new primary and excess facility aimed at SMEs and middle-market companies. The facility provides comprehensive cyber insurance solutions with enhanced capacity and tailored coverage to address the growing cyber risks faced by smaller and mid-sized businesses.
A Clyde & Co survey of global business leaders found that 86% now rate technological risk as high impact, up sharply from 46% last year, with AI governance, implementation, and third-party dependencies cited as major concerns. Geopolitical risks also rose significantly, with 72% of respondents saying they have direct commercial impact, highlighting the need for greater agility in supply chains and operations amid conflict, sanctions, and trade restrictions.
Many insurers have moved beyond experimenting with generative AI and machine learning and are now focused on determining when an AI pilot is ready to scale across the organization. Leaders emphasize that successful scaling depends more on organizational readiness, clear business outcomes, workflow integration, and human oversight than on technological sophistication alone.
Fitch Ratings has published a report emphasizing that insurance innovation is key to turning the natural catastrophe challenge into an opportunity for the industry. The analysis highlights how advanced modeling, parametric solutions, and technology-driven products can help insurers manage rising cat losses while creating new growth avenues.
ShareAction has released a report warning that insurers are dangerously behind on climate action as a super El Niño begins, with many failing to align portfolios with net-zero goals or restrict fossil fuel investments. The analysis highlights increasing physical and transition risks from climate change and calls for stronger stewardship, engagement, and divestment policies to protect policyholders and the financial system.
AIG has appointed Nancy Bewlay as Global Chief Underwriting Officer. Bewlay brings extensive underwriting leadership experience and will oversee AIG's global underwriting strategy, risk management, and portfolio optimization.
Alliant Insurance Services has appointed Justin Sorensen as Executive Vice President in Alliant Mergers & Acquisitions. Sorensen brings extensive M&A advisory experience and will focus on supporting insurance agency owners through strategic transactions and growth initiatives.
Aon has announced several senior leadership appointments across its global operations. The changes are designed to strengthen the broker's expertise in key areas and support continued growth and client service capabilities worldwide.
Everest has strengthened its global wholesale and specialty leadership with two key appointments. The moves are designed to enhance expertise and drive growth in its wholesale and specialty insurance operations worldwide.
Hamilton Group has announced several select leadership appointments across its global operations. The changes are designed to strengthen expertise in key areas and support the company's continued growth and strategic initiatives.
HDI Global US has appointed Justin Gress to a senior leadership role. Gress brings significant underwriting and market expertise and will contribute to the company's growth and strategic initiatives in the U.S. specialty insurance market.
Liberty Specialty Markets has promoted Sarah Howell to Head of Claims for UK and MENA. Howell brings extensive claims leadership experience and will oversee the region's claims strategy, operations, and performance.
Lockton has appointed Matt Kendle as Head of its New Construction and Design Practice. Kendle brings extensive experience in construction and design risk and will lead the team's strategy and client service capabilities in this specialist area.
Markel International has appointed Bhavik Desai as Managing Director for Professional, Financial & Executive Risks and Cyber. Desai brings extensive experience in specialty lines and will lead the team's strategy and growth across the PFR and cyber portfolio in the international market.
TMK has appointed Alex Barnes as Departmental Head of Marine & Energy. Barnes brings significant expertise in marine and energy insurance and will lead the team's underwriting strategy and growth in these specialist lines.
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Alan Gray was established in 1988 as a claims and audit advisory firm, and over the years has built a reputation as a cost-effective, reliable, and trusted resource to those involved in the management of risk.
