Sharing insights on key industry issues
The
Americas insurance digest addresses the key issues driving the insurance industry. This edition includes articles on the following hot topics (Download each chapter by clicking on the title below):
Economic capital: Recognizing the value of risk (411kb)
The strategic benefits of using economic capital are just beginning to be realized within the insurance industry. As a basis for the consistent management of risk, effective deployment of capital, and realistic measurement of risk-adjusted returns, economic capital has the potential to significantly impact an insurer's ability to rapidly respond to changes in the marketplace and compete more effectively.
ERM: No longer a nice-to-have (409kb)
Rating agencies' focus on enterprise risk management (ERM) has made it one of the factors that impact the cost of capital. Companies need to take action to avoid being bracketed as a weaker manager of risk. This article addresses the challenge of integrating enterprise risk management into running the business and key steps that insurers need to focus on.
A road map for surviving the credit crunch (456kb)
While the current focus may be around subprime mortgages and securitized investments, this article highlights key issues management should be focusing on to avert or mitigate credit and liquidity risks.
Catastrophic loss estimation: Overview of current practice (678kb)
Since the devastation left behind by hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma in 2005, insurance industry leaders have placed catastrophe losses high on their agenda. This article focuses on catastrophe reserving best practices with particular attention given to catastrophe models, data quality and key considerations surrounding the catastrophe reserving process.
Insurance risk transfer: Tax red flags to watch for (239kb)
Due to the IRS' heightened focus on insurance risk and risk transfer in insurance and reinsurance transactions, this article outlines leading practices in the industry, and highlights key concerns to be aware of while considering contracts that transfer risk.
