General Insurance Article - January 2019 Reinsurance Market Outlook report issued by Aon

 The report finds that reinsurance buyers continue to secure protection at accretive cost of capital terms despite a reduction in global reinsurer capital through 9M 2018. Global reinsurance capital overall fell 2 percent since year end 2017 from USD605 billion to USD595 billion.

 Traditional capital saw a decrease of 4 percent in part driven by rising interest rates and the strengthening US dollar, while total alternative capital rose 11 percent to USD99 billion—an increase of USD10 billion since the prior year end.

 Reinsurance demand showed slight increases in traditional products and lines driven by regulatory requirements, continued attractive market dynamics for buying, and recent losses in non-peak territories that have advocated for more robust coverage for these perils; however even with this increase, supply continues to outstrip demand.

 Insured catastrophe losses over the past two years aggregate to approximately USD 230 billion. While 2017 created a new peak at approximately USD147 billion, 2018 losses alone are currently estimated at USD85 billion, 47 percent higher than the 2000-2017 average of USD56 billion.

 The report also highlights the latest in rating agency and regulatory updates including S&P’s recent criteria proposals, Moody’s incorporation of cyber exposure, and A.M. Best’s building block assessments.

 Read the full report Reinsurance Market Outlook: Value Proposition to Buyers Remains High Despite Interesting Market Dynamics