As the global re/insurance sector gathers in Monte Carlo for the annual Rendez-Vous de Septembre, Swiss Re set the tone with three themes: geopolitical strain, escalating natural catastrophe losses, and artificial intelligence.
- Rising natural catastrophe losses underscore the urgency of prevention, mitigation measures, and public-private collaboration
- Geopolitical uncertainty and fragmentation risks are impacting the re/insurance market by creating volatility and making risk assessment more complex
- Artificial intelligence will play a key role in further improving risk assessment and underwriting quality
- Re/insurance remains a stabilising force in the face of major global disruptions, absorbing shocks and supporting economic recovery
Urs Baertschi, CEO of P&C Reinsurance, called the industry a stabilising pillar in an era of uncertainty. He said Swiss Re plans to engage with clients, partners, and governments on resilience, technology, and new risk challenges.
In a time of elevated global uncertainty and rapid adoption of AI, re/insurance stands as a stabilising pillar. We look forward to engaging with our clients, partners and the public sector on how to further strengthen resilience, harness technology and address the evolving challenges of a changing world.
Urs Baertschi, Chief Executive Officer P&C Reinsurance
Geopolitical fragmentation looms large. Supply chains are shifting under pressure from protectionist policies and economic realignment, pushing costs higher. Meanwhile, unrest has surged, with protests or strikes erupting in over 70 countries in the past year.
Swiss Re urged disciplined underwriting and sharper accumulation management to handle the volatility.
On natural catastrophes, the Swiss Re Institute reported that insured losses have topped $100bn annually in recent years, with peak-year losses potentially climbing to $200bn or even $300bn.
The reinsurer said prevention measures—better building codes, zoning, and stronger risk modelling—must pair with public-private partnerships to limit long-term damage.
The third force: AI. With so much insurance data buried in emails, contracts, and claims files, Swiss Re sees machine learning not as optional but essential.
Gianfranco Lot, CUO of P&C Reinsurance, said data underpins risk management, and AI is a “game changer.” He argued the firm’s role is to fuse technical know-how with partnerships to turn bold plans into working solutions.
Data will become even more important. It’s the basis for risk and accumulation management, and AI will be a game changer.
Gianfranco Lot, Chief Underwriting Officer P&C Reinsurance
“At Swiss Re, we see it as our responsibility to bring together our expertise, technological capabilities, and partnerships – to help turn ambition into reality.”
