All GR Focus articles – Page 4
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GR Focus
Picking up the pieces
The era since Eliot Spitzer's bid-rigging allegations has transformed the insurance brokerage market. Steven Ader assesses the impact on its three biggest players.
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GR Focus
Spotting a niche
In the post-Spitzer environment, non-traditional reinsurance has become an important source of revenue for many brokers. Helen Yates looks back on how this business took off in 2006 and how, one year on, the sophistication of the products has grown dramatically.
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GR Focus
Risking The Future
With brokers still smarting from the effects of Eliot Spitzer's investigations, rampant diversification plans are underway throughout the industry. Some brokers are even looking to transform themselves into risk consultancies. Nick Thorpe reports.
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GR Focus
Muddy waters
British government authorities are in the process of changing the taxation situation of UK-owned captives to plug up some holes in current tax law. Stacy Shapiro reports.
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GR Focus
Solitary Confinement
Protected, or segregated, cell captives began life in the 1990s. Phil Zinkewicz describes the evolution of this popular solution for undesirable risks.
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GR Focus
Freedom from captivity
Captives must adapt and change in order to remain competitive. Dominic Wheatley examines the changing environment in which captives operate and suggests how they can respond to it.
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GR Focus
Retro-spective
The doomsday sayers would have you believe that retrocession all but disappeared in 2006. But there was plenty of capacity available at the 1 January renewals, discovers Helen Yates, although it remains painfully expensive.
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GR Focus
The tipping point?
Does the 2007 renewal season represent a return to normality or is this the tipping point in the cycle? David Pannell examines some of the key trends.
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GR Focus
Feast or famine?
Is the reinsurance industry now overcapitalised? With prices now falling for many lines of business Christopher Kershaw and Andrew Poulton explain why there is too much capital in the market and what the consequences might be.
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GR Focus
Molecular Revolution
While still in its infancy, nanotechnology is poised to revolutionise the world of technology. But what are the risks associated with its development and are insurers and reinsurers ready? ask Harry Oellrich and Sandy Hauserman.
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GR Focus
Ruffling feathers
So far the dreaded H5N1 bird flu virus has not mutated into a more deadly form. But if experts are right and it does become a pandemic, life insurers and reinsurers would be hit the hardest, explains Lauren Kalinowski.
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GR Focus
Emission Impossible
Climate change is upon us. But what are the emerging trends and what can the insurance industry do to mitigate the effects? Dr Steve Smith investigates.
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GR Focus
Final Hurdle
Has real progress been made with contract certainty or is it just "low hanging fruit"? David Hall explains how tripartite relationships are the key to reaching the higher branches.
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GR Focus
A certain future?
The London market's bid to achieve contract certainty will only be a success if insurers, brokers and clients can work together. Richard Clifford highlights the current focus areas.
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GR Focus
Terror still reigning
The evolving nature of terrorism presents constant challenges for insurers looking to provide adequate coverage in an expanding market. Stephen Ashwell offers an update on terrorism risk today.
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GR Focus
Terrorism - last chance saloon
After much speculation, the US federal terrorism backstop - TRIA - was renewed until December 2007. But is that enough time to find a viable long-term alternative? asks Nick Thorpe.
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GR Focus
Speed to the Irish market
Its early adoption of the Reinsurance Directive should be another string to Dublin's bow, argues Sarah Goddard.
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GR Focus
Collateralisation collision
The 100% collateral rule for foreign reinsurers doing business in the US has long been accused of unfairness. But a more level playing field could be just around the corner, explains Ronald Gift Mullins.
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GR Focus
A capital idea
Patrick Devine looks at how the impending EU Reinsurance Directive will pave the way for insurance special purpose vehicles, or sidecars, to take-off in Europe.
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GR Focus
Open for business
The UK's Financial Services Authority is making insurance special purpose vehicles a viable option for the London market. Dr Thomas Huertas explains why.