Best's Research
Best’s Analysis
AM Best continues to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on various segments
of the industry, including the insurance-linked securties market. It also comments on the existential threat posed by pending business interruption legislation.
A selection of recent industry research:
Commentary: COVID-19 Impact on the Insurance-Linked Securities Market
Life/Health cat bonds may be affected by COVID-19.
May 7, 2020 - 5 Pages
Market Segment Report: Panama Insurance
We revised our outlook for Panama's insurance industry to Negative from Stable, owing to the significant challenges the country and industry face amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
May 6, 2020 - 3 Pages
Market Segment Report: Japan Life Insurance
Risk-adjusted capitalization remains solid, but Japan life insurers face short-term challenges in growth and investment returns.
May 6, 2020 - 4 Pages
Commentary: Legislation to Nullify BI Exclusions Poses Existential Threat to P/C Insurers
Current legislation in the works in a number of states could have disastrous consequences for the P/C insurance industry.
May 5, 2020 - 6 Pages
Commentary: IFRS 17: IASB Decisions Impact Insurers and Users of Accounting Data
An economic evaluation of accounting data will remain AM Best's basis for assessing the underlying financial health of (re)insurers.
April 29, 2020 - 4 Pages
Market Segment Report: US Medical Professional Liability Insurance Market Remains in Flux
The MPL segment is beset by several risks—rate adequacy, rising loss costs, and social inflation, with the COVID-19 outbreak now foremost among them.
April 28, 2020 - 25 Pages
Commentary: Singapore Non-Life Insurance: COVID-19 Impacts Add to Deterioration in Underwriting Results
Lackluster underwriting performance may persist with added strain from the economic fallout of COVID-19.
April 27, 2020 - 5 Pages
Commentary: Indonesia Strengthens State-Owned Insurers with Holding Company Formation
Indonesia's setup of a state-owned holding company to improve risk management standards is a positive industry development.
April 27, 2020
Market Segment Report: Guatemala Insurance
Stable foreign exchange rate, ongoing low interest rate environment, and controlled inflation underscore Guatemala's Stable outlook.
April 23, 2020 - 4 Pages
Market Segment Report: France Non-Life
Premium levels are expected to drop as commercial activity in France has stalled in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
April 20, 2020 - 6 Pages
Market Segment Report: Argentina Insurance
Outlook remains Negative for Argentina's insurance industry as COVID-19 pandemic adds to existing challenges.
April 20, 2020 - 3 Pages
Special Report: Growing FHLB Usage Expected To Be Ratings Neutral
Insurers are positioning themselves for more borrowing in the event of further stress, but we think any uptick will be within risk tolerance guidelines and will thus be a ratings neutral event for most of the rated population.
April 17, 2020 - 5 Pages
Market Segment Report: UK Non-Life
Underwriting margins may be further squeezed this year as a COVID-19-driven economic slowdown pressures premium volumes.
April 15, 2020 - 6 Pages
Best's Insurance News &Analysis subscribers can download PDF copies of all Best's Special Reports, Best's Commentaries and Best's Market Segment Reports along with supporting spreadsheet data at www.ambest.com.