Wildfire cat bonds draw ILS investors as modeling improves, issuance jumps
Investors move into wildfire-linked cat bonds as modeling improves, driving over $5 bn in issuance and pushing the market toward $60 bn in 2025
News
Howard Hughes to buy Vantage in $2.1 bn specialty reinsurance deal
Howard Hughes Holdings agrees to acquire Vantage Group for about $2.1 bn, backed by Pershing Square, as it pushes toward a diversified holding model
Munich Re and KfW launch state-backed cover for geothermal drilling
Munich Re and KfW introduce a state-backed insurance scheme to reduce geothermal drilling risk and unlock private investment in Germany’s clean heat sector
US home insurance shows stabilisation after years of sharp hikes
Matic data shows US home insurance rates rose 8.5% in 2025, down from 18% in 2024, pointing to stabilisation despite record premiums and climate risk
Insurtech Outmarket launches AI Proposal Builder to cut broker prep time
Outmarket introduces Proposal Builder, an AI-driven workflow that cuts commercial insurance proposal creation from hours to minutes
Exein raises €100 mn as embedded cyber security spreads across devices
Exein secures €100 mn in new funding, lifting 2025 total to €170 mn, as demand grows for embedded cybersecurity in connected devices worldwide
Adaptive Security raises $81 mn Series B as AI cyber risks surge
Adaptive Security closes an $81 mn Series B led by Bain Capital Ventures with NVIDIA and OpenAI backing, bringing total funding to $146.5 mn
Singapore leads TPRM maturity yet vendor cyber breaches keep rising
BlueVoyant data shows Singapore ranks among the world’s most mature TPRM markets, yet 93% of firms still suffered supply-chain cyber breaches
North Carolina sets May 2026 hearing on 68.3% dwelling insurance rate hike
NC Insurance Commissioner schedules a May 2026 hearing after rejecting a proposed 68.3% average increase in dwelling insurance rates
UK probes cyber incident amid claims of China-linked data access
UK officials investigate cyber incidents at the FCDO and London councils as reports raise concerns over China-linked hacking and public service disruption
81% of small firms hit by cyber incidents as AI fuels attacks
ITRC data shows 81% of small businesses suffered cyber incidents last year, with AI-driven social engineering overtaking insiders as the main cause
AIG launches Lloyd’s SPV Syndicate 2479 with Blackstone, Amwins
AIG sets up Lloyd’s Syndicate 2479 with Blackstone and Amwins, using London Bridge 2 and Palantir AI to support a $300 mn, third-party-backed portfolio
Farmers Insurance closes $400 mn cat bond to bolster US risk cover
Farmers Insurance Group completes a $400 mn catastrophe bond via Topanga Re, adding multi-year, indemnity-based protection across major US perils
California jury hits Liberty Mutual with $103 mn age bias verdict
A California jury awards $103mn against Liberty Mutual after finding age discrimination in the firing of a long-time claims case manager
Citizens seeks 2.6% insurance rate cut as Florida reforms steady market
Florida’s insurer of last resort requests a 2.6% personal lines rate cut, citing legal reforms, depopulation gains, and stabilizing conditions
State Farm faces probes over California wildfire claims delays
State Farm says it paid $5 bn after California wildfires as Los Angeles County and state regulators investigate claim delays and possible AI use
Florida Citizens Property Insurance enrollment sinks after reforms reshape market
Enrollment at Florida’s insurer of last resort has fallen sharply, as lawmakers credit legal reforms with restoring competition and stabilizing property insurance
Beneva shifts auto products to Guidewire APD with GFT support
Beneva completes early Guidewire APD conversion for auto insurance, cutting timelines in half and unlocking faster digital product changes
Insurtech Lumera buys Acuity to expand UK public sector pensions reach
Lumera agrees to acquire Acuity, adding public sector pensions expertise and strengthening its UK presence amid rising reform and technology pressures
US House blocks ACA subsidy extension as premiums set to rise
Expanded ACA subsidies are set to expire after a narrow House vote, leaving millions facing higher health insurance costs amid party infighting
Pinpoint Predictive partners with Trexis Insurance to optimize auto payments
Trexis Insurance deploys Pinpoint Predictive’s loss models to tailor payment plans, cut downpayments, and lift premium output during quoting
Insurtech Cytora partners with Pilotbird to add OSINT into claims workflows
Cytora and Pilotbird link platforms to bring open-source lifestyle analytics into digital FNOL and claims triage for commercial and P&C insurers
John Garamendi attacks California insurance chief over premiums, drops
Former insurance commissioner John Garamendi accuses Ricardo Lara of failing California consumers amid rising premiums, policy nonrenewals, and insurer profits
Nirvana Insurance hits $1.5 bn valuation in $100 mn Series D
Nirvana Insurance raises $100mn Series D led by Valor Equity, lifting valuation to $1.5bn as AI-driven trucking insurance draws fresh capital
Global M&A activity continued despite a broader global slowdown in 2025
European and Asia Pacific dealmakers outperformed global peers in the first half of 2025, as M&A activity continued despite a broader global slowdown and persistent market uncertainty
California court limits insurance commissioner’s power over FAIR Plan
A California appeals court says the insurance commissioner can’t force the FAIR Plan to add liability-style coverages beyond basic property insurance
Millions of UK travellers hide medical conditions on travel insurance
One in four UK travellers conceal medical conditions to cut travel insurance costs, risking rejected claims and massive overseas medical bills
Toyota launches brand-only motor insurance for Ireland drivers
Toyota enters the Irish insurance market with exclusive cover for Toyota and Lexus drivers, partnering with Wrisk Europe amid weak competition.
Chubb plans up to 20% workforce cut tied to digitisation push
Chubb expects to reduce headcount by as much as 20% over four years as automation spreads across underwriting, claims, and support functions
Florida approves pet insurance rate hikes averaging 9.25%
Florida regulators approved 12 pet insurance rate increases this year, averaging 9.25%, as veterinary costs continue to rise faster than inflation
Insurtech incubator Lloyd’s Lab celebrates Cohort 15 and opens Cohort 16
Lloyd’s Lab marked Demo Day for Cohort 15, showcasing 12 InsurTechs, and opened applications for Cohort 16 with a new Ireland-focused theme
German insurers propose Elementar Re catastrophe backstop scheme
Germany’s insurers unveil Elementar Re, a government-backed reinsurance backstop aimed at keeping high-risk homes insurable as climate losses rise
Australia’s competition regulator blocks IAG bid for RAC Insurance
Australia’s competition regulator opposes IAG’s planned takeover of RAC Insurance, warning it would weaken motor and home insurance competition in WA
Flood insurance drops nationwide as Florida holds firm, study finds
A new study shows flood insurance policies falling across the US under Risk Rating 2.0, while Florida adds coverage as affordability strains the federal program
London dental insurance fraud trio avoid immediate jail
A struck-off dentist and her two children were convicted over a £350k dental insurance fraud in North London but received suspended sentences
Ageas UK and Saga launch 20-year insurance partnership for over-50s
Ageas UK and Saga plc roll out a 20-year affinity deal, launching motor insurance now and home cover in early 2026 for over-50s customers
New Zealand home insurance costs diverge by region and risk
NZ home and contents insurance costs show uneven regional shifts as insurers apply finer risk-based pricing, with Canterbury and Wellington moving differently
Aviva partners with Percayso to deepen vehicle data analytics
Aviva signs a multi-year deal with Percayso Inform to enhance vehicle data enrichment across pricing, underwriting, and claims in UK personal and commercial lines
MetLife Pet Insurance integrates cover into pet adoption process
MetLife partners with Petstablished to embed pet insurance quotes into adoption and registration, aiming to cut surprise vet costs from day one
Maximum Information raises £2.3 mn seed led by Insurtech Gateway to build cat risk tools
Insurtech Gateway leads a £2.3 mn seed round in Maximum Information as the firm builds vendor-agnostic catastrophe risk analytics
Fitch sets neutral 2026 outlook for global insurance sector
Fitch Ratings assigns a neutral 2026 outlook for global insurance, citing resilience overall but weaker margins in reinsurance, London Market, and US Health
NFP acquires P&C broker Hamilton Insurance to expand senior care focus
NFP, an Aon company, acquires Hamilton Insurance Agency in Virginia, adding senior housing and long-term care expertise to its P&C platform
Geopolitics and climate strain global marine insurance – Kennedys warns
Kennedys warns geopolitical tension, climate volatility, trade disputes, and post-Brexit rules are reshaping risk and claims pressure in marine insurance
Aon adds ERN Latin America catastrophe models via Oasis LMF
Aon’s Impact Forecasting delivers ERN Latin America catastrophe models through Oasis LMF, expanding open modelling options for (re)insurers
Cyber insurance set to become mandatory as threats escalate – Kennedys’ report
Kennedys predicts cyber insurance will shift from optional to mandatory as supply-chain attacks rise and boards face direct regulatory pressure
Canada Life UK completes £330m buy-in with Comet Pension Scheme
Canada Life UK secures benefits for 4,500 members through a £330m full-scheme buy-in with the Comet Pension Scheme backed by Fnac Darty
IFC to take 20% stakes in VIG’s Ukrainian non-life insurers, USG and Kniazha
IFC plans to invest in two Vienna Insurance Group insurers in Ukraine, backing growth, digitalisation, and insurance capacity ahead of reconstruction
UK motor insurers face losses by 2026 as premiums fall – EY
EY expects UK motor insurance to break even in 2025 and slip into losses in 2026 as inflation and repair costs outpace pricing
Orange Poland with insurtech bolttech launches telco-led insurance platform
Orange Poland rolls out “Insure with Orange”, a digital insurance comparison platform built with bolttech, offering motor and home cover in minutes
Munich Re targets €6.3 bn profit in 2026 under Ambition 2030
Munich Re expects ROE above 18%, EPS growth over 8%, and €6.3 bn IFRS net profit in 2026 as part of its Ambition 2030 plan
Nippon Life Insurance moves to acquire MDV to expand health data strategy
Nippon Life launches a tender offer for Medical Data Vision, aiming to deepen use of health data and analytics across insurance and healthcare
Coalition adds deepfake response cover to global cyber insurance policies
Coalition expands its cyber insurance with a deepfake response endorsement, offering forensic, legal, and PR support as AI-driven threats grow
Moody’s expects 15% drop in property cat reinsurance pricing in 2026
Moody’s Ratings sees property catastrophe reinsurance pricing falling about 15% as capital stays ample and buyers gain negotiating power in 2026
J.P. Morgan sees softer pricing cycle for European P&C insurance in 2026
J.P. Morgan expects easing property cat reinsurance rates and weaker pricing momentum across European P&C through 2026
FCA moves to simplify insurance rules, faces London market pushback
The FCA eases insurance rules to cut costs and boost flexibility, but Lloyd’s and London Market leaders say reforms stop short of real change
SAR insurtech ICEYE adds flood intelligence to Munich Re risk platform
ICEYE partners with Munich Re’s Risk Management Partners to bring SAR-based flood data and early warning tools to the Location Risk Intelligence platform
Experian warns of AI-driven cyber risks in 2026 breach forecast
Experian’s 2026 Data Breach Forecast points to AI-powered attacks, quantum risk, and rising identity fraud as cyber threats grow faster and smarter
PERILS estimates A$1,108 mn loss from Australia convective storms
PERILS sets initial insured loss at $1,108 mn for late-October 2025 severe convective storms across Australia’s east coast
Atradius wins approval to launch Lloyd’s credit Syndicate 1864 in 2026
Atradius secures final regulatory approval for Lloyd’s Syndicate 1864, set to underwrite trade credit risks from January 2026
US commercial insurance rates rise 3.8% in Q3 2025 – WTW
US commercial insurance pricing rose 3.8% in Q3 2025, matching Q2 and slowing sharply from 2024 as most lines eased, according to WTW data
US insurance sector outlook for 2025-2026: capital strength, social inflation risks, P&C returns peak, Florida reforms, life insurance resilience and alt capital trends
Fitch estimates Winter Storm Fern insured losses at $4-7 bn. Losses hit earnings, not capital, with P&C insurers absorbing most claims and no rating downgrades
2026 Atlantic hurricane season passed without a single US hurricane landfall for the first time in ten years, yet still delivered deadly storms, elevated major hurricane activity, and meaningful losses
Triple-I and Milliman forecast the US P&C industry’s lowest net combined ratio in more than 10 years for 2025, helped by a quiet hurricane season