AM Best Research & Commentary
AM Best Research & Commentary
AM Best says the credit quality of commercial mortgage loans in insurers’ portfolios has declined and the pandemic could give U.S. commercial auto writers a reprieve in frequency and severity.
A selection of recent industry research:
Market Segment Report: Multiple Threats Flank the Florida Property Insurance Market
The market is facing a number of challenges: hurricanes, social inflation, reinsurance spikes … and now a pandemic.
July 6, 2020 - 15 Pages
Market Segment Report: US Commercial Auto Writers: Profitability Remains Elusive
The segment continues to face numerous challenges, although the pandemic may give it some much-needed breathing room with regard to frequency and severity.
June 30, 2020 - 12 Pages
Special Report: Private Equity Holdings Continue to Climb
L/A insurers account for nearly 75% of the insurance industry's private equity holdings.
June 29, 2020 - 7 Pages
Market Segment Report: Japan Non-Life: Robust Capitalisation to Weather Stock Market Volatility
Despite having high common stock leverage, systematic equity price risk is manageable for major Japanese non-life insurers.
June 26, 2020 - 5 Pages
Special Report: Performance Bonds—Demand Spotlights Different Approaches
AM Best believes the behavioural consequences of different performance bond models merit serious consideration by policymakers.
June 25, 2020 - 6 Pages
Special Report: Commercial Mortgage Loans Increasing, Credit Quality Decreasing
The credit quality of commercial mortgage loans in insurers' portfolios is declining, but key metrics indicate that conservative underwriting practices lower risk in stress scenarios.
June 25, 2020 - 6 Pages
Special Report: US Life/Annuity 2019 Statutory Results: Favorable Operating Results and Underwriting Performance
The segment's operating results were generally favorable on modest premium growth, despite declining investment returns.
June 17, 2020 - 10 Pages
Special Report: Best's Impairment Rate and Rating Transition Study – 1977 to 2019
Seven companies became impaired in 2019.
June 15, 2020 - 21 Pages
Market Segment Outlook: Germany Life Insurance
The key challenge for Germany's life insurance segment remains the low interest rate environment.
June 15, 2020 - 5 Pages
Special Report: US P/C Industry Snapshot: Performance Improved in 2019; Some Lines Still Challenged
The industry's underwriting performance improved markedly in 2019, with underwriting income rising almost 400%.
June 11, 2020 - 13 Pages
AM Best Commentary
Commentary: COVID-19: Expansion of State Workers' Compensation Laws Will Be Credit Negative for Insurers
The workers' compensation segment, already under pressure, could see additional significant losses.
June 18, 2020 - 5 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.