Reinsurance

British equity investors have put $100 million into a new reinsurance fund, the latest example of mainstream investors seeking exposure to the sector's rising prices and relative immunity from financial shocks.

The U.S. property practice leader of broker Marsh says Superstorm Sandy will likely drive rate increases as the Jan. 1 renewals approach.

Expectations that catastrophe bond investors will not lose money as a result of superstorm Sandy have been shaken by an estimate that losses for insurers from the Oct. 30 storm will top $20 billion.

S&P believes reinsurers can withstand losses well outside the range of current estimates, but says some market participants believe loss amounts could be 30-50 percent higher than estimated due to the hurricane-deductible debate in some states.

Agent and broker employment in September experienced an expected decline, but the size of the drop was unusual, according to Insurance Information Institute President Robert Hartwig.

Last Tuesdays election will generate substantive changes in who makes the decisions affecting the insurance industry in Washington. Here is a look at the key people certain to be impacted by the change.