Global merger and acquisition (M&A) activity fell to its lowest level last year since the financial crisis, but a surge in the final quarter is expected to continue in 2021, according to new data from Willis Towers Watson (WTW). The research in partnership with the M&A Research Centre at The Business School, formerly Cass, reveals that Covid-19 dragged M&A activity…
Despite a turning of the tide in the EMEA property market, overall price rises at the 1 Jan 2021 reinsurance renewals were less severe than first expected, as abundant capacity and an increased willingness from reinsurers to deploy capacity in certain sectors held bigger increases at bay, according to brokers. Guy Carpenter said a slower and more complicated quoting process,…
Howden has warned insurers to remember that commercial insurance buyers won’t forget some of the “extreme” price increases currently being pushed through, as the market saw average increases of 16% in 2020. The broker’s Hard Times insurance and reinsurance market report, published after 1 January renewals, says that Covid-19, catastrophe losses, lower investment yields, climate change concerns and general risk…
Corporate insolvencies caused by the pandemic will drive a growth in claims against directors and officers (D&Os) in 2021, according to Clyde & Co’s Simon Konsta who warns that the new Covid-19 variant first detected in the UK and potential for more severe lockdowns are adding further fuel to the fire. Mr Konsta said liabilities against D&Os are building in…
The Covid-19 pandemic has increased the risk of employee fraud and commercial crime, while also raising D&O liability, warned experts from CMS, who outlined potential mitigation strategies. Zaakir Mohamed, head of corporate investigations and forensics at CMS South Africa, said Covid-19 has created heightened fraud risk as individuals and organisations come under pressure. Mr Mohamed said there are three main…
Chubb has expanded coverage for corporate directors with US exposures by offering more flexibility and customisation for D&O and entity securities liability policies, as well as fiduciary liability protection. Chubb said the broader D&O options will help protect companies from key management liability risks, noting that fiduciaries of employee benefit plans are at increasing risk of liability claims over their…
Spanish companies must gear up for a difficult series of renewals in 2021, but negotiations may be not as traumatic as in the past two years, according to leading Spanish brokers. Even though buyers face a less dramatic hard market than their peers in other European countries, things are dire for Spanish firms in some lines, such as D&O and…
Litigation risk facing directors and officers (D&O) has reached a new high with Covid-19 and its economic fallout adding to the growing list of exposures, warns Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) in a new market report. Higher numbers of insolvencies following Covid-19, cybersecurity and environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) scrutiny are driving an increase in exposures for D&Os,…
Mactavish expects commercial insurance rates to harden further in 2021 and could leave some buyers unable to pay for cover. The claims resolution firm said commercial insurance buyers have seen premium renewals up by as much as 800% this year in the UK and London market for certain risks, with insurance cover also undermined by changes to terms and conditions.…
Spanish companies must gear up for a difficult series of renewals in 2021, but negotiations may be not as traumatic as in the past two years, according to leading Spanish brokers. Even though buyers face a less dramatic hard market than their peers in other European countries, things are dire for Spanish firms in some lines, such as D&O and…