Reinsurance

Although reinsurance rates have increased recently, only moderate growth in market volume can be expected this year, according to an analysis by Holborn Corp. insurance brokerage.

Fitch Ratings has placed the "A-minus" ratings of Bermuda-based Flagstone Reinsurance Holdings, Ltd. on Rating Watch Negative in response to Flagstone's $1.8 billion offer to acquire IPC Holdings, Ltd.

An executive involved in the bidding war for IPC holdings said after that battle ends the merger and acquisition landscape will likely heat up further in Bermuda.

NU's listings rank individual reinsurance companies rather than groups, using information from annual statements filed with U.S. regulators and compiled by Highline Data, an NU affiliate.

The U.S. reinsurance segment posted better results than its domestic property and casualty industry counterpart last year, according to National Underwriter's annual review of financial results.

Insurance products would be mostly exempt from oversight by the proposed U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Agency under legislation submitted to Congress last week by the Treasury Department.

Reinsurance executives believe a higher level of discipline by reinsurance underwriters gives the group a more favorable outlook than would be the case for primary carriers in 2009.

Despite many factors that should be contributing to a hardening market overall, competition in some coverage lines and geographic regions has heated up, while activity in many other areas remains tepid, keeping price hikes more modest than anticipated.