The top 10 positions within A.M.Best's annual ranking of the Top 50Global Reinsurance groups experienced some reshuffling in 2016,most notably in the top spot, as Swiss Re Ltd. jumped over MunichReinsurance Company. 

The change in the No. 1 position was the first for any of thetop three spots since 2010, with Hannover Rück S.E.continuing to rank No. 3, according to A.M. Best's annual specialreport on the global reinsurance industry. Falling out of the top10 was PartnerRe Ltd. and Everest Re Group Ltd.

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The 2017 ranking is based on reinsurance gross premiums written,with the top 10 comprising approximately 70% of the top 50total. The top 50 reinsurance groups recorded an averagecombined ratio of 93.1% in 2016, which mirrored the averagecombined ratio of the top five reinsurers in the ranking,reflecting the underwriting discipline employed by theindustry.

"Ultimately, the takeaway should be that Swiss Re and Munich Reare the reinsurance market's undisputed largest and mostinfluential players. Both have roughly double the premium volume oftheir closest competitors, offer similar capacity across nearly allreinsurance products and geographies and have been the marketleaders for well over a decade," said A.M. Best senior directorRobert DeRose.

For more detailed information, a copy of the special report can be found onthe company's site.