Insurance-Linked Securities Market in 2025 Hits New Record as Investor Interest Grows
The insurance-linked securities (ILS) market hit $107 bn in capacity by the end of 2024, driven by strong investor returns and increased catastrophe bond issuance
Insurance-Linked Securities
Insurance-Linked Securities (ILS) — financial instruments whose values are driven by insurance loss events. Those such instruments that are linked to property losses due to natural catastrophes represent a unique asset class, the return from which is uncorrelated with that of the general financial market.
Insurance companies are two important ways insurers profit in this business.
One is by selling portfolios of insurance policies grouped into packages, to interested investors. The risk from low severity, high probability events can be diversified by writing a large number of similar policies. This reduces an insurer’s risk because should a policy default, then the loss is shared between a large number of investors.
The second way insurers profit on policies is by re-insuring them through other insurers. A reinsurance policy would allow a second insurer to share in the gain and potential loss of the policy, much like an investor. The secondary insurer would share invested interest and risk.
WTW’s Natural Catastrophe Review: 2024 Key Data Insights and Trends
WTW has analyzed natural disasters, key lessons, and emerging trends. The assessment will focus on physical and vulnerability NatCat factors
Insured Catastrophe Losses in Canada Surge to C$8.5 bn, Tripling in 2024
Insured catastrophe losses in Canada reached a record C$8.5 bn in 2024, nearly tripling the prior year’s total and standing 12 times higher than the annual average
Global Natural Catastrophe Overview: Economic & Insured Losses for 2024 FY
In 2024, global natural perils resulted in total direct economic costs of $417 bn. Of this, $154 bn was covered by private insurers and public insurance entities
Hurricanes, Severe Thunderstorms and Floods Drive $100 bn Insured Losses
In the US, two major hurricanes and frequent severe thunderstorms accounted for at least two-thirds of the year’s global insured losses, which currently exceed $135 bn
European System for Natural Catastrophe Risk Management & Re/Insurance
Economic losses from natural catastrophes in the EU are rising due to increased economic exposure and the growing severity of climate-related disasters
Comparing Europe’s Approaches to Natural Catastrophe Insurance & Gov-Backed Schemes
Government-backed catastrophe insurance schemes play a vital role in managing the financial impact of natural disasters across Europe
2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season Marked a Year of Substantial Insured Losses in the U.S.
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season ended on November 30, marking a year of above-average storm activity and substantial insured losses in the U.S.
Southern Germany Floods Caused up to $2 bn Insurance Loss from 2024
PERILS has released its third insurance industry loss estimate for the floods that hit southern Germany from May 31 to June 6, 2024
Catastrophic Losses & Rising Global Flood Insurance Risks: $135 bn in 2024
2024 is on track to become the hottest year recorded. A warming climate has intensified natural catastrophes, especially in Europe, which faced severe flooding
Flood Risk Creates Credit Challenges for Eastern & Southern US Insurers
Hurricane Helene’s recent destruction underscores the rising flood risk impacting local economies and tax bases in the Eastern and Southern United States
APRA’s Proposed Reinsurance Reforms: Impact on Australian Insurers’ Credit Profiles
Changes to reinsurance-related capital requirements proposed by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority strengthen Australian general insurers’ credit profiles
ILS & Catastrophe Bond Market Expands with Record Issuances & Cyber Risk Inclusion
Catastrophe bond issuance set records in three of the past four quarters, pushing the market to $45.6 bn—an 18% rise
Q3 2024 Global Catastrophe Report: Top 5 Costliest Economic & Insured Loss Events
Q3 2024 saw a number of significant disaster events, which drove total economic losses from natural catastrophes above at least $258 bn
Hurricane Milton Economic and Insurance Loss Forecast: Impact on Re/Insurers
Economic and insured losses from Hurricane Milton remain uncertain, Milton is the second major storm to hit the U.S. within two weeks, following Hurricane Helene
Hurricane Milton Triggers Major Losses for Insurers and Reinsurers
Hurricane Milton is anticipated to be one of the most powerful and economically detrimental hurricanes to make landfall in the western region of Florida
ILS Market & Alternative Reinsurance Capital: Poised for Continued Growth
ILS market remains a significant capital source for reinsurers in 2024. Alternative capital estemated at $110 bn, with the catastrophe bond market growing to $45 bn
Rising Demand for Property Re/Insurance Amid Increasing Risks & Costs
Higher property values, urbanization, and increased repair costs are likely to drive demand for property re/insurance, particularly in regions facing heightened natural catastrophe
Global Natural Disaster Losses in H1 2024 Reached $120 bn
Global natural disaster losses in the first half of 2024 reached $120 bn, down from 2023, which saw $140 bn in losses due to a severe earthquake in Turkey and Syria
2024 Reinsurance Renewals Come Amid Growing Reinsurer Appetite
The mid-year reinsurance renewals occurred against a continued increase in reinsurer appetite as overall reinsurance capacity grew
Major Natural Disasters in H1 2024: Insights for Insurance Industry
Natural disasters amplified by climate change continue to take a bitter toll on the global economy, caused $350 bn in economic losses, with insurance covering just over $100 bn
H1 2024 Global Natural Catastrophe Statistics: Economic & Insurance Losses
1H 2024 saw multiple notable natural catastrophe events, which drove total year-to-date economic losses above at least $117 bn
US Severe Convective Storm: Costliest Insured Loss in 2024
Severe convective storm (SCS) losses in the US continued to dominate global insured losses in 2024, following a highly active period for the peril
Insurance Industry Faces Challenges as Atlantic Hurricane Season Begins
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season officially began and has already been active. Business owners found that 91% identified specific weather or natural hazards as risk
2024 Global Natural Catastrophes. Top 10 Costliest Insured Events
The total economic loss from global natural catastrophes for H1 2024 was estimated at $128 bn, insured losses totalled at $61 bn
The directors and officers (D&O) insurance market has experienced favorable results in recent years, but ongoing risks and market uncertainties could challenge sustainability
Integrating real-time data analytics through big datasets, AI, and ML technologies empowers companies to detect high-risk policies before solidifying agreements
U.S. life insurers have used reinsurance to reduce exposure to long-term care (LTC) insurance. The transactions strengthen balance sheets, improve capital efficiency
Lloyd’s has shared the results from the 2025 Lloyd’s Market Policies and Practices (MP&P) return with market firms, which shows continued progress towards an inclusive