Brian Duperreault, CEO of Marsh & McLennan Companies, saysthe insurance industry has plenty of capacity to handle losses fromSuperstorm Sandy, but he says underwriters will be taking a closerlook at the impacted region in the future.

“The storm underscores the critical nature of insurance and thecrucial services it provides to clients,” said Duperreault during aconference call with financial analysts reviewing the brokerage'sthird-quarter results. “While the market impact from Sandy is yetto be determined, generally, there is sufficient capital in themarket.

“However, we do expect that the Northeast and Mid-Atlanticregions will be under more scrutiny from underwriters on the heelsof two major storms within 14 months.”

Later during the call, Alexander S. Moczarski, chiefexecutive of Guy Carpenter, when asked about reinsurance rates,said capacity remains plentiful and rate increases are not expectedacross the globe. More attention will be paid to the Northeast,though, and “it will be tough for underwriters to reducerates.”

Duperreault said that no employees suffered injuries from thestorm and offices have not sustained “significant damages.”

For the 2012 third quarter, Marsh & McLennan saysconsolidated net income rose 78 percent, or by $106 million, to$241 million. Revenue increased 1 percent, or by $39 million, to$2.8 billion. Organic growth rose 3 percent in the quarter.

In its insurance segment, which includes insurance broker Marshand reinsurance broker Guy Carpenter, third quarter total revenuesrose 2 percent, or by $35 million, to $1.5 billion in the thirdquarter. Organic growth rose 4 percent.

MMC's net income for the first nine months of 2012 rose 24percent, or by $183 million, to $938 million. Revenues for thatperiod increased 3.5 percent, or by $304 million, to $8.9billion.

This was the last financial call for Duperreault, who isretiring from the firm at the end of the year. Daniel S. Glaser,the company's group president and chief operating officer, willsucceed him.