From Editor - in - Chief

RGA: Eye on demographics more critical than interest rates

The impact of changing demographics is permanent, and public-private partnerships will be required to solve this societal issue, says Mr Greig Woodring, President and Chief Executive Officer, Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated. By Benjamin...

Toa Re finds strength in diversifying

The past two years had not been easy for Toa Re as it took a hit from major catastrophes in Asia, incurring a net insured loss of approximately JPY75.2 billion (US$749.8 million) from the Thai floods alone. But thanks to such efforts as cutting its...

Markel: Building for permanence

Markel Corporation acquired Alterra Capital Holdings for approximately US$3.13 billion in May. Asia Insurance Review speaks to Mr William Stovin, President of Markel International, on what the deal brings to the organisation, and the importance of...

Midyear P&C market roundup - P&C markets strong but balancing act needed

Asia's P&C markets are growing strongly, with motor seeing better-than-expected rises and commercial liability witnessing a rising demand. But rates in the primary markets have remained soft, and with a downward trend in treaty renewals in some...

Something new, but all things good

A new regulator, changes in some rules and a possible of review of other regulations - are seen to be actions that will benefit the insurance industry. Insurers are positive about the new super regulator, OJK, whose current top priorities are to...

Interview with Regulator: Hitting the ground running

Since the start of 2013, the Otoritas Jasa Keuangan (OJK) has officially taken over full authority of the regulation of the Non-Bank Financial Institutions (NBFI) sector. Mr Dumoly Pardede, Deputy Commissioner for NBFIs, speaks about the transition...

Non-life insurance: Strong numbers all round

The Indonesian non-life market is both posting and forecast to post strong numbers. Local players give an update of the market, and how the new super regulator OJK is expected to help further improve the sector's performance. By Benjamin Ang

The buzzword is Financial Inclusion

Speakers at a recent seminar at the National Insurance Academy (NIA) spoke on the critical role of insurers in achieving the government's call for financial inclusion.

The untapped opportunity in Indian health insurance

India's health insurance industry is well-positioned to grow robustly in the coming decade. Mr Amit Kalra and Mr Tarun Kumar of Swiss Re say India should leverage on private health insurance to diversify the source of healthcare financing and to...

The case for a Southeast Asian agriculture risk pool

In this extract from the Geneva Association's Newsletter, Dr Suzanne Corona from Asia Capital Reinsurance Malaysia Sdn Bhd says adequate protection of agricultural interests is fundamental in managing food security, an area of vital focus for...

New personal accident compensation criteria announced in China

Mr Ik Wei Chong of Clyde & Co, Shanghai reviews the new personal accident compensation criteria which brings China closer in line with international standards.

IIS Report: Swim in the sea of changes

Insurers are hit with changes and need to respond by adapting fast or otherwise sink in the sea of risks and threats to their business. We bring you a close up of the 49th IIS Seminar where some 50 speakers discussed these changes at length and...

Motor focus: Accelerating towards direct motor insurance in Asia

As in other markets, motor insurance in Asia increasingly turns from a traditional intermediary business towards a direct sales business model. Mr Joachim Michaely of Munich Re discusses the opportunities and pitfalls for direct insurance in the...

Training needs in the market: Global talent issues in insurance: How should the industry respond?

The Singapore College of Insurance brings you extracts from a research paper by Prof W Jean Kwon from St John's University, New York on the importance of the insurance industry working with educators to optimise talent situations in the market.

LIMRA/LOMA: Beat all odds with a winning strategy

Given the prevailing low interest rates environment, life insurers need to reassess their strategic plans now more than ever. Speakers at the 21st Annual LIMRA/LOMA Strategic Issues Conference in Singapore discussed the building blocks of a winning...

CFO Summit: A bigger voice for the CFOs

CFOs have traditionally been very low key and introverted. But with the greater demand on their role and the greater scrutiny from regulators, analysts and the media, they need to take on a more active responsibility and assume a bigger voice in...

Specialty Risks: Managing risks wisely

Industrial insurers will likely go out of business if they do not boost their existing capacities, particularly for the Fortune 500 companies, as the world's major industries head towards a huge consolidation process. This, and various other risk...

Asia: Emerging Asia remains world's fastest growing non-life market

Emerging Asia continued to be the fastest growing non-life insurance market globally in 2012, with a strong premium increase of 13% (2011: 10%), supported by robust growth in key markets, says Swiss Re in its "World Insurance in 2012" sigma report.

Asia: Risk diversification will not suffice in the long run

Although insurers have come to deal with the disparity in expected loss and the high probability of it through risk diversification, that will not suffice in the long run, as insurers' peak risks keep growing and diversifying risks becomes more...

Asia: Strengthening distribution model tops strategic priority for insurers

Improving their distribution model is the leading priority for 31% of insurers in Asia, as they note demographic trends are resulting in a refinement in segmentation of customers and customer needs, according to the 2013 State Street Insurance...

FAIR - Going on 50, going on strong

The Federation of Afro-Asian Insurers & Reinsurers (FAIR) will turn 50 next year. Mr Hammam Badr, Secretary General of FAIR, looks back at the achievements of the Federation, and what more can be expected from FAIR and him as the Secretary General,...

Impact of IAIS

Mr Martin Noble from KPMG notes that as expected, 2013 is turning into a year of significant regulatory change. He says the second half of 2013 will witness many key developments, including steps towards the first global insurance capital standard.

Initial list of nine G-SIIs released

The group of G-SIIs will be updated annually and published by the Financial Stability Board (FSB) each November based on new data, starting from November 2014.

Lloyd's CEO Richard Ward will resign by end Dec

After almost eight years in the role, Mr Richard Ward has announced he will be resigning as CEO of Lloyd's at the end of December this year.

Insurers less equipped to manage emerging megatrends

Globally, many insurers feel less equipped to manage important emerging megatrends - notably the impact of social media (29%), the role of advanced technology such as "big data" (32%), and workforce challenges around talent attraction and retention...

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