Reactions regularly publishes comment pieces from its team of columnists, which between them have more than five decades of experience covering the international insurance and reinsurance industry.
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Corporate reputations on the line February 22 2012
Comment: Reputation risk is heightened because too often there is an inadequate flow of information across or up and down an organisation. Risk professionals need to feel more confident to report on risks that may not within their area of responsibility and some firms need to take the CRO role more seriously, says Reactions contributing editor Garry Booth.
UK insurers ready to pull plug on flood cover
January 31 2012
Comment: Insurers have issued an ultimatum to the UK Government to produce a solution to sustaining universal flood coverage, says Garry Booth, Reactions’ contributing editor.
The 10 biggest (re)insurance themes for 2012 January 26 2012
Comment: Guy Carpenter’s reinsurance renewals report included a handy checklist of the big themes facing the global insurance and reinsurance market this year. it is noticeable what themes don’t make the list, says Michael Loney, managing editor of Reactions.
Disaster management: Crisis, what crisis? January 6 2012
COMMENT: Policymaker and big businesses still have a lot to learn about resilience, judging from the findings of a new report from Chatham House, says Reactions contributing editor Garry Booth.
Insurance mergers of 2011: Playing hard to get December 23 2011
COMMENT: The year's biggest M&A story appears to have ended with Alleghany buying Transatlantic Holdings but, says Reactions' editor Michael Loney, it is a sign of how tough it is to get deals done in today's climate.
Polishing the post-modern Lloyd's pipework 21 December 2011
The Grade 1 listing of the Lloyd’s of London building from English Heritage will only preserve the fabric of the building – it won’t protect Lloyd’s global franchise, says Reactions contributing editor Garry Booth.
Privacy problems and premiums? 13 December 2011
Insurers will soon find out about the potential risks they will face when new European Union privacy rules are unveiled in the new year, says Reactions’ contributing editor Garry Booth.
Cat modellers' credibility issue November 28 2011
RMS's US risk model update was on the minds of many at this year’s annual PCI meeting. It seems the US market is still digesting the new RMS model, and insurers are concerned about its impact, says Reactions' managing editor Michael Loney.
The climate is changing – will mindsets follow?
It is getting harder to ignore the gloomy and potentially expensive forecast for climate change. But policymakers do not seem to be taking notice, says Reactions’ contributing editor Garry Booth
Reinsurance upgrades remain the exception November 18 2011
Despite some prominent reinsurance rating upgrades in recent weeks, such as those for Alterra Capital and Swiss Re, it is downgrades that now appear more likely after heavy cat losses, says Reactions editor Michael Loney.
Insurers should get over themselves and get moving November 15 2011
A new survey reveals that insurers realise that access to new sources of data such as social media and improvements in data consistency are important to their success because most do not see themselves as providing differentiated products at the moment, says Reactions contributing editor Garry Booth.
Brussels to rattle rating agencies’ cages October 31 2011
A draft EU law will be published in the middle of November that could dramatically alter the way ratings agencies work. In view of the reinsurance industry’s dependence on raters there could be serious ramifications for the industry, says Reactions' contributing editor Garry Booth
London’s legal battle lines to be re-drawn October 17 2011
The tremors from the merger of Barlow Lyde & Gilbert and Clyde & Co will continue to be felt throughout the reinsurance law arena, says Reactions’ contributing editor Garry Booth.
Do reinsurers need a radical rethink? October 17 2011
Rather than waiting for a turn in reinsurance pricing, reinsurers may need to rethink their strategy for standing out from the crowd, says Reactions’ editor Michael Loney.
Munich Re - performance guaranteed September 29 2011
Munich Re has spotted a possible new opportunity and started a market for the sort of performance guarantee insurance needed to make start-up renewable projects work for investors as well as their sponsors, says Reactions’ contributing editor Garry Booth.
Lloyd's - a story of loss and gain September 21 2011
Despite a large first-half loss, Lloyd’s of London remains extremely attractive judging by the fevered interest in buying managing agents, says Reactions’ contributing editor Garry Booth.
Reinsurers' wishful thinking September 16 2011
The reality that any meaningful increase in reinsurance pricing is at least another big loss away was rammed home in discussions at the Monte Carlo Rendez-Vous, says Reactions’ editor Michael Loney.
Spitzer's legacy unravels further August 31 2011
At the start of August, four ex-General Re executives and one former American International Group (AIG) executive had their 2008 criminal convictions for fraud thrown out by a US appeals court, and throwing further doubt on the long-term impact that Eliot Spitzer had on the industry, says Reactions' editor Michael Loney.
Ready for a Category 6 hurricane? August 24 2011
A fascinating article in a science journal reveals there is growing consensus that the five point Saffir-Simpson scale for classifying windstorms is no longer appropriate, says Reactions contributing editor Garry Booth.
Brokers and bribery August 05 2011
Any broker still wondering whether the tougher rules around bribery apply to them will have been given added food for thought by the second quarter results of Willis., says Reactions' contributing editor Garry Booth.
UK motor market heading for a big crash July 21 2011
The rise of online aggregators has made the tough operating environment in the UK motor insurance market even tougher. And this trend could be about to spread into other areas of the UK personal and commercial lines, says Reactions’ contributing editor Garry Booth.
Noonan sparks this summer’s transfer saga July 15 2011
Validus Holdings’ chief executive Ed Noonan seems determined to turn the reinsurance industry’s summers into a similar merry-go-round as seen in the soccer world every close-season, says Reactions’ managing editor Michael Loney.
Aon Benfield tells its truth on reinsurance renewals – what’s yours? July 8 2011
Aon Benfield has thrown down the gauntlet down to reinsurance broking rivals, as well as its markets, with its latest renewals report, says Reactions contributing editor Garry Booth
The hits keep coming for the cat market June 27 2011
There has been no let-up in natural catastrophe activity this year yet it is still not clear if the tens of billions of dollars of losses will be enough to turn the market, says Reactions editor Michael Loney.
WTF - the F-word has raised its head again! June 27 2011
Insurers in the UK have got themselves into another fine mess around fees. This time it is an absurd situation where they are accepting fees to provide policyholder details to lawyers - who then pursue them for billions of pounds of insurance payouts, says Reactions contributing editor Garry Booth.
Western Pacific – an aftershock for the NZ supervisor? June 14 2011
The liquidation of New Zealand insurer Western Pacific begs the question why didn’t anyone notice the firm was an insolvency waiting to happen, says Reactions’ contributing editor Garry Booth.
Hookers, zombies and Accordion crimes May 24 2011
The past week has shown that reality in the insurance and reinsurance industry is often stranger than fiction, says Reactions’ contributing editor Garry Booth, with stories of prostitutes-filled parties, preparing for a zombie apocalypse and unfortunately-named SPVs all emerging.
Losses heading upstream in energy May 13 2011
The Gryphon A, a floating North Sea oil storage and processing platform, damaged by a storm in February, contributed to a costly year of upstream energy insurance losses, says Reactions' editor Michael Loney.
Money down the drain - expensive emerging risks May 12 2011
Ageing infrastructure could easily be classed as an 'emerging risk' - and the potential liabilities are huge, says Reactions’ contributing editor Garry Booth.
Banks mess up again with PPI debacle May 11 2011
UK bankers’ greed has got them back in hot water again with details of mis-selling of payment protection insurance emerging, and the fall-out will hit the insurance industry, says Reactions’ contributing editor Garry Booth.
Bermuda hears the muezzin's call April 19 2011
A takaful report from Ernst & Young shows the market is posting impressive growth. This has not been lost on Bermuda. It has started marketing itself as a centre for Islamic insurance and reinsurance, says Reactions contributing editor Garry Booth.
Outbreak of sanity in Brazil April 13 2011
Brazil has backed down slightly on two resolutions that would have seriously hindered the long-term effort to liberalise the Brazilian insurance market. But some believe the latest developments are positive but not enough, says Reactions European editor Adrian Ladbury.
Some things never change April 12 2011
To mark Reactions’ 30th anniversary, Reactions’ editor Michael Loney looks backs on what has changed – and what has not – in the global insurance and reinsurance industry in the past three decades.
Why UK firms should be cheerful (or at least cautiously optimistic) April 5 2011
A new report shows that the UK financial services sector shows encouraging growth, sparking insurers to look to invest, says Reactions contributing editor Garry Booth.
Japan, one week on March 18 2011
The guessing game over insured losses from Japan and its effect on pricing is well underway but don’t expect rates to go up globally, says Reactions’ editor Michael Loney.
LMX spiral – a case of back to the future? March 18 2011
The market could be forgiven for thinking the LMX spiral is now just a footnote in the insurance and reinsurance industry’s history. But some believe the Deepwater Horizon catastrophe and climate change could be the environmental double whammy that creates a new spiral, says Reactions’ contributing editor Garry Booth.
QIS5 - what am I supposed to moan about now? 16 March 201
The lack of nasty surprises in the fifth quantitative impact study ahead of Solvency II has proven the European insurance industry’s claims about its strength were right but a large proportion of the market is still not ready, says Reactions’ European editor Adrian Ladbury.
NDBI cover for airlines - will it take off? 4 March 2011
Munich Re and Swiss Re are rolling out non-damage business interruption products for airlines. But, asks Reactions’ contributing editor Garry Booth, will clients be willing to pay for it?
Insurers shouldn't ignore the other half 3 March 2011
Insurance and reinsurance firms are not fully taking into account how the other half of their balance sheets in this investment environment will affect their returns during this soft market, says Reactions’ editor Michael Loney.
Cash for ash questions raised as second volcano threatens to erupt 18 February 2011
Insurance firms could still find themselves on the line for claims from last year’s eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland, says Reactions' contributing editor Garry Booth.
AIG’s unexpected $4.1bn reserve charge 11 February 2011
The news that AIG expects to report a $4.1bn property/casualty reserve charge to be assigned to Chartis, its general insurance unit, in its fourth-quarter results has raised fresh concerns about the bailed-out firm.
Buttocks clenched in the back-office 10 February 2011
Insurance business processing firm Xchanging’s troubles could have frightening consequences for the London market and elsewhere, says Reactions’ contributing editor Garry Booth.
Will Omnibus II push back Solvency II? 8 February 2011
Adrian Ladbury argues Omnibus II reassesses the urgency surrounding Solvency II and its January 1, 2013 deadline, and is far more significant than the European re/insurance industry realises.
Boldly going where the industry has never gone before 28 January 2011
Has the US property/casualty industry changed its ways? According to a recent report, it has and can now look forward to an era of good returns, says Reactions editor Michael Loney.
And the long-service fraud award goes to... 26 January 2011
The news that reinsurance outfit Provident Capital Indemnity has been accused of fraud by the SEC has been a long time coming. It has also brought memories of the firm’s dubious past flooding back to Garry Booth, our contributing editor.
Risk Response Network unveiled 27 January 2011
Economic discussions in Davos have spawned a new 'Risk Response Network'.
C'mon bankers, it's payback time 24 Jan 2011
Bankers should follow insurance firms' lead on funding research into climate change, says Reactions contributing editor Garry Booth.
Starting 2011 in optimistic mood 14 Jan 2011
US insurance executives seem in bullish mood heading into 2011 but their mood may darken as the year goes on, says Reactions editor Michael Loney.
New venue for the Rendez-Vous? 13 January 2011
Insurance and reinsurance executives will be interested to learn that a plan has been floated to build a replica of Monaco, says Reactions’ contributing editor Garry Booth.
Munich, a new home of innovation? 10 January 2011
With Munich Re following through on its plan to set up an industry-wide energy facility in response to Deepwater Horizon, is the insurance and reinsurance industry about to enter time of greater innovation, asks Reactions European editor Adrian Ladbury.
Whole lot of shaking going on 07 January 2011
Reactions’ contributing editor Garry Booth asks what lessons the insurance industry can take away from 2010’s catastrophe events.
The 2011 insurance forecast 31 December 2010
There is no end in sight to the soft insurance and reinsurance market, says Reactions editor Michael Loney.
Making microinsurance a $40bn market won't be easy 24 Dec 2010
Getting real momentum in the nascent microinsurance market will be an enormous challenge. Getting there profitably will be even harder, says Reactions’ editor Michael Loney.
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The Black Swan Guy is back, and he's talking about you and me 22 Dec 2010
There are lessons to be had for the insurance and reinsurance industry in Nassim Nicholas Taleb's new book, says Reactions contributing editor Garry Booth
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The year in insurance and reinsurance 21 Dec 2010
When insurance historians look back on 2010 in years to come, it will not be seen as a vintage year, says Reactions editor Michael Loney.
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Getting a Christmas wishlist together? 13 Dec 2010
Garry Booth reveals what insurance and reinsurance executives will be asking for this Christmas. How about a sat nav that has a famous reinsurer’s voiceover?
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COMMENT: The Insurance Mediation Directive's future 07 Dec 2010
Some are frustrated that the Committee of European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Advisors did not take a stronger stand on the future of the Insurance Mediation Directive on broker compensation, says Reactions’ European editor Adrian Ladbury
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COMMENT: Risk management – insurers still don’t get it 29 Nov 2010
Risk management roared up the agenda of financial institutions after the financial crisis – but it never really stuck, says Reactions’ contributing editor Garry Booth.
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COMMENT: Risk modellers take flak for near-sighted approach 24 Nov 2010
A scathing article that appeared in a Florida newspaper recently underlines that the market needs to stop taking risk models’ output as gospel, says Reactions' editor Michael Loney.
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COMMENT: The workers' comp time bomb 23 Nov 2010
The US insurance market is becoming increasingly aware that things are likely to get worse before they get better, says Reactions' editor Michael Loney.
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COMMENT: Fudge with a large dollop of double standards please. 22 Nov 2010
The EU’s latest move on equivalence is good news for the US, but other countries may not be too pleased, says Reactions’ European editor Adrian Ladbury.
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COMMENT: A new reinsurance business model 12 Nov 2010
Our contributing editor Garry Booth says a new report reveals that too many reinsurers are relying on a big loss event to turn the underwriting cycle rather than questioning their business model.
COMMENT: IAIS lukewarm about helping solve global programme mess. 02 Nov 2010
European risk management associations may be best seeking a pan-European approach to sorting out the muddle over global insurance programmes because the IAIS does not seem keen to help, says Reactions' contributing editor Adrian Ladbury.
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COMMENT: Baden-Baden...I never knew that 29 Oct 2010
Reactions contributing editor Garry Booth reflects on this week's meeting of the European reinsurance industry in Baden-Baden.
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COMMENT: Putting the casual into casualty 21 Oct 2010
Casualty underwriters appear to be aware of the trouble brewing in their line of insurance, but they aren't doing anything about it, says Reactions editor Michael Loney.
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COMMENT: Solvency II - seriously guys, it ain't gonna happen 20 Oct 2010
The latest stumbling block to Solvency II being implemented suggests that it may be 2014 by the time the directive comes into force, says Reactions contributing editor Garry Booth.
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COMMENT: Getting a handle on local tax laws 13 Oct 2010
Recent moves by LIIBA and ECIROA to get a better handle on how tax should be dealt with on multinational business shows how tricky it can be to fill in gaps between local and international insurance cover and tax laws, says Reactions European editor Adrian Ladbury.
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COMMENT: Bolt, a shepherd with crook of steel 29 Sep 2010
Lloyd’s first-half figures stack up pretty well compared to its peers but its performance directorate, led by Tom Bolt, now faces a stern test to keep the market in line, says Reactions’ contributing editor Garry Booth.
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Editor's Remarks: Lippe's reason to be cheerful 16 Sep 2010
Swiss Re's CEO has made impressive progress in his year and a half in charge, says Reactions editor Michael Loney.
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COMMENT: Monte Carlo - No blockbuster but not a complete flop . 16 Sep 2010
Reactions editor Michael Loney reflects on the Monte Carlo Rendez-Vous, which took place this week.
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COMMENT: It's a buyer's market in Monte 10 Sep 2010
Reinsurers’ impressive amount of capacity means it is buyers that will have the upper hand in discussions at this year’s Monte Carlo Rendez-Vous, says Reactions’ European editor Adrian Ladbury.
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COMMENT: What the buzz will be in Monte 10 Sep 2010
Reactions’ contributing editor Garry Booth assesses what the big talking points will be at this year’s Monte Carlo Rendez-Vous, the start of European January 1 renewals discussions.
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COMMENT: Hurricane Katrina five years on 27 Aug 2010
With the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina hitting New Orleans on August 29, Reactions' editor Michael Loney reflects on how the insurance and reinsurance market has changed in the past five years.
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COMMENT: Solvency II, The Fifth Element 25 Aug 2010
The approach of Solvency II has a classic sci-fi feel to it, says Reactions' contributing editor Garry Booth. And now that attention is being focused on the fifth quantitative impact study, QIS 5, an insurance remake of the cult sci-fi movie The Fifth Element is in pre-production.
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COMMENT: A revolutionary holiday reveals lessons for ... 12 Aug 2010
Even when he is on vacation, Reactions’ contributing editor Garry Booth cannot help but think about the implications for the insurance industry.
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COMMENT: Bermuda not yet the weakest link 04 Aug 2010
Bermuda is not going away but it is under threat, says Reactions' editor Michael Loney.
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COMMENT: Bermuda not yet the weakest link 04 Aug 2010
Bermuda is not going away but it is under threat, says Reactions' editor Michael Loney.
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COMMENT: Dodd-Frank lays groundwork for larger federal ... 02 Aug 2010
The good news in the recently-passed US financial services reform is that the insurance industry has not been anywhere near as badly swept up in the backlash as some feared. The bad news is, says Reactions' editor Michael Loney, is it will still be a pain for the industry.
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COMMENT: Brazilian treatment trims insurers' best parts 22 Jul 2010
The plan to set up a state-owned insurer in Brazil has shifted the goalposts for international firms, says Reactions' contributing editor Garry Booth.
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COMMENT: Aon sees Red but will fans cry foul? 19 Jul 2010
Insurance broker Aon has signed a four year shirt sponsorship deal with Manchester United football club, replacing AIG. Reactions' contributing editor Garry Booth, says he hopes they know what they are doing.
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COMMENT: QIS5 provides cheers for insurers 12 Jul 2010
The latest developments on Solvency II have shown regulators are commited to a technical approach. This is good news, says Reactions’ European editor Adrian Ladbury, because the last thing that is needed is a bunch of supervisors playing politics.
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COMMENT: Saying bye-bye to Bermuda 07 Jul 2010
The news that Catlin is to set up shop in Zurich has been headlined as a Solvency II story. But, wonders Reactions' contributing editor Garry Booth, is this really a Bermuda story?
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COMMENT: US insurance regulators push back against ... 23 Jun 2010
Solvency II is not seen as ideal regulation by those outside Europe, such as US insurance regulators, says Reactions editor Michael Loney.
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COMMENT: BP oil spill shows insurers right to be wary of ' ... 21 Jun 2010
The BP debacle suggests insurance companies are right to be cautious about keeping up with the fast changing needs – and exposures – of some buyers, says Adrian Ladbury, Reactions’ European editor
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COMMENT: Reinsurance industry discovers YouTube! 17 Jun 2010
But the insurance and reinsurance industry is still far from understanding the benefits of social media, says Reactions' editor Michael Loney.
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Purify your business with fast-acting Solvency II! 17 Jun 2010
Solvency II produces some interesting concerns for insurance and reinsurance companies, says Garry Booth, Reactions' contributing editor.
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COMMENT: Infamy! They've all got it in for me! 14 Jun 2010
The International Insurance Society, which just convened in Madrid, has an insurance hall of fame. But listening to discussions at this year’s excellent IIS annual seminar made Reactions' contributing editor Garry Booth wonder if, in a parallel universe, there might be an insurance hall of infamy.
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EDITOR'S REMARKS: A legal overload 27 May 2010
May is traditionally Reactions’ legal issue. Reflecting a sign of these unprecedented and uncertain times, this year it is packed with a wealth of legal and regulation related information.
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COMMENT: It's the environment, stupid 25 May 2010
The insurance industry must take note of a forthcoming UN report on biodiversity that will conclude there is a stronger economic case for global action to protect the natural world than for tackling climate change, says Reactions’ contributing editor Garry Booth.
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COMMENT: Why AIG can't have it both ways 24 May 2010
AIG is finding it hard to convince people that everything is fine at its insurance units while making slow progress on reducing its obligations to the government.
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COMMENT: The UK corporation tax conundrum 20 May 2010
The UK's newly arrived Chancellor, George Osborne, this week delivered a little overdue cheer to the UK insurance market, says Reactions' contributing editor Garry Booth.
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COMMENT: European insurers' own-goal 18 May 2010
Reactions' European editor Adrian Ladbury asks why investors reacted badly to seemingly strong results from Europe's largest insurance firms.
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COMMENT: OECD Report - How to give the insurance ... 10 May 2010
Insurers will be left hopping mad by recommendations about the insurance industry in a recently released report from the OECD on the impact of the financial crisis, says Reactions' contributing editor Garry Booth.
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COMMENT: Will reinsurers ever get off the underwriting cycle? 30 Apr 2010
Insurers and reinsurers have the tools to help derail the underwriting cycle, they just don’t want to use them, says Reactions contributing editor Garry Booth.
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COMMENT: Black swans and black turkeys 21 Apr 2010
Rather than breathe a sigh of relief that there will be no insurance large losses from the Iceland volcano, the industry should spot the opportunity in such events to create new products, says Reactions’ contributing editor Garry Booth.
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