Gen Re Research publications are another way we deliver underwriting expertise to clients. Gen Re's wealth of knowledge on various matters related to insurance and reinsurance issues is available to our clients on a global basis in several languages. Our aim is to deliver timely insights prepared by our specialists on topics that are most important to you. From mining risks to uninsured motorists to building contractors, we stay current with developments affecting the risks you write. Through our publications, we add to the ways we share that information with you.
Our research is prepared for and shared with the Gen Re client community. Some articles are generally available to all visitors while most research publications are for "clients only". Gen Re's clients can access our full research library and search capabilities through Gen Re Online, our Extranet. Clients can also obtain electronic and print copies of any individual publications by contacting us at . Our Publication Index provides a listing and summary of all research material, and is available on our home page. In addition to our publications in English, many are also available in Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese or Spanish as well; to see our recent publications across all languages, click here.
You can more obtain information about Gen Re Online and our publication library through your Gen Re account executive or by emailing us at .
Issue: June, 2009Language: English
Author:
Mindy Pollack
Summary: From the Gen Re EPLI Team **Available as a PDF only. Hard copies are not available.**
Issue: June, 2009Language: English
Summary: This flyer recaps general liability research publications produced in North America through April 2009. A small summary about each publication is included.
Issue: June, 2009Language: English
Summary: The 7th International Seminar on Risk Management is going to be held on 5 and 6 October 2009 at our offices in Cologne, Germany. Since the successful launch of this series of annual conferences in 2003 we have discussed a variety of risks and how they can be managed in a life insurance environment. The current financial crisis that began in mid 2007 with the US subprime crisis and further developed to one of the biggest global financial crises ever is a real stress test for existing risk management measures and frameworks. Therefore by dedicating the 2009 conference to Risk Management in Times of Crisis we are confident to attract your interest in this years seminar.
Issue: June, 2009Language: English
Summary: The 2nd Seminar on International Product Trends is going to be held on 8 and 9 October 2009 at our offices in Cologne, Germany. This seminar will inform you about recent trends and developments in Life and Health Insurance products from around the globe. Topics to be chosen for this year's event include the impact recently introduced and drafted anti-discrimination laws have on the life insurance industry, new trends and developments in tele-underwriting, mortality and morbidity trends as well as insurance needs for special target groups.
Issue: June, 2009Language: English
Summary: This flyer was created to jointly promote the EPLI Risk Management Hotline and Website, contracted with Jackson Lewis LLC and The McCalmon Group, respectively. Clients may customize this flyer with their corporate logo, font and colors, for them to market these services.
Issue: June, 2009Language: English
Author:
Ian Cox
Summary: This article gives a summary of the current situation of the swine flu and our views on risk management in the light of recent developments.
Issue: June, 2009Language: English
Authors:
Diane Brown,
Lewis Palca
Summary: The Workers' Compensation market has held its own in a difficult economic year, but will insurers be able to make the same claim for 2009? This Viewpoint discusses NCCI information and Gen Re's look at the numbers.
Issue: June, 2009Language: English
Author:
Mindy Pollack
Summary: This issue of Policy Wording Matters highlights the recent activity in Texas on pollution exclusions and state views on a variety of environmental/toxic exclusions, as well as coverage issues and wording solutions cutting across many lines of business. In this May 2009 edition, you can read about: Texas Takes Action on Pollution Exclusions - how Texas and other states view these and other exclusions; Underinsurance in California - new HO case and implications for property insurers; ISO BOP Changes to Policy and Endorsements; Cases on Intentional Acts, Earth Movement and Claims Made Policies, and New Laws On Policy Wordings and Filings.
Issue: June, 2009Language: English
Summary: Focused Value Equity Management is a controlled risk approach to equity value investing. This discipline seeks to outperform the S&P 500 Stock Index (and respective peer groups) with less volatility over full market cycles, through a controlled risk process. Portfolios are constructed with comparable relative P/E, P/BV, and dividend yield relative to the S&P 500 Stock Index.
Issue: June, 2009Language: English
Author:
John Gilbert
Summary: Residential real estate behaves as a discrete asset class, and we measure the central tendency of its value. House prices were overvalued materially by that measure, and after recent declines are around their equilibrium value. Both the current level of housing inventory and history, suggest we are headed for undervaluation before it is over.
Issue: May, 2009Language: English
Summary: This edition of the LTC Quarterly departs from the traditional approach of reviewing a broad swathe of publications looking for papers of particular relevance to LTC.
Issue: May, 2009Language: English
Summary: This month we explore policy wording by illustrating key principles in construction with a deafness claim study, and report on a case of an HIV applicant underwritten on special terms.
Issue: May, 2009Language: English
Author:
Mindy Pollack
Summary: Claim examples are always a good way to demonstrate the value of insurance, and many clients have asked for EPLI examples to use in their agent communications and other newsletters. In response, Gen Re has prepared a claim sampler flyer containing actual EPL verdicts and settlements from around the country taken from LexisNexis. The variety of loss scenarios and awards is intended to illustrate the wide reach of EPLI exposures. The flyer can also be customized with the client's logo and brand design.
Issue: May, 2009Language: English
Author:
John Gilbert
Summary: The capital markets have begun to take notice of Chinas emerging signs of success in restarting lending, unlike the U.S. If Asia emerges as the worlds growth venue and economies in the west cannot overcome the retarding effects of weak financial systems, securities valuations there could be revalued, perhaps significantly.
Issue: May, 2009Language: English
Authors:
Drew King,
Subha Neelakantan,
Louis Rossouw,
Stephen Rowley,
Andres Webersinke
Summary: Contents: Disability Insurance in the U.S. Recession / Health Insurance in India / Critical Illness Insurance as a Complementary Sale to Disability Income Insurance / Different European Anti-Discrimination Laws and Directives - What's Coming Our Way? A Brief Update / Inside Gen Re LifeHealth
Issue: May, 2009Language: English
Authors:
Charlie Kingdollar,
Sue Stein
Summary: A growing number of states and municipalities across the U.S. are adopting green building programs including Energy Star, LEED and more. This issue of Property Matters looks at a few approaches from a large city to a small county -- California, Washington, DC, Dallas, Texas, Howard County, Maryland and Epping, New Hampshire. In addition, we highlight Greensburg, Kansas which is regarded as one of the greenest cities in America and the frontrunner of requiring new construction be built to green standards.
Issue: May, 2009Language: English
Summary: The Equality Bill was introduced in the House of Commons on 24th April 2009. The Bill is a wide ranging measure addressing covering many areas of possible discrimination. Key amongst these to insurance companies will be the area of age discrimination in financial services. The Bill is currently at a very early stage and there are many steps to final legislation. This short article looks at some of the headline issues arising from the Bill, particularly in the area of age discrimination.
Issue: April, 2009Language: English
Authors:
Lane DeCoster,
Mindy Pollack
Summary: This annual survey highlights 2008 and early 2009 statutes, regulations and cases that change the law on uninsured and underinsured motorist liability. We identify several severity-related trends in UM/UIM law across the states, several of which resolve issues in a manner favorable to insurers. These issues include: Umbrella obligations on UM/UIM offers; Commercial fleet stacking requirements; and Emotional distress as a compensable injury. The survey also provides summary information on UM/UIM offer requirements, stacking, trigger, offsets and umbrella coverage.
Issue: April, 2009Language: English
Authors:
Lane DeCoster,
Mindy Pollack
Summary: In this article we discuss the underwriting challenges posed by liquor liability, both dram shop and social host, and provide an overview of the laws shaping the exposures. We also highlight recent cases redrawing the parameters of liquor legal liability coverage. The rules can be nuanced and insurers need to know how to navigate them.
Issue: April, 2009Language: English
Summary: This brochure explains "the Gen Re Difference". It's a broad overview of Gen Re -- financial security and stability, a wide range of reinsurance solutions, direct and unfiltered communication, underwriting expertise, claims support and fast claims payments, and research and publications. We're here for the long term.
Issue: April, 2009Language: English
Summary: Acute Stroke Treatment / Post-stroke Rehabilitation and Ability to Work - Opportunities and Limits / What is Done in UK to Bring Stroke-patients Back to Work? / Stroke - Death Claim / Stroke - Critical Illness Claim / Gen Re Claims Assessment Programme - Module
Issue: April, 2009Language: English
Summary: Board members of Gen Re client companies are eligible to receive our monthly e-mail linking them to current news and information about the U.S. property/casualty insurance industry. Directors' Insurance News provides high level information about the industry and links to valuable industry and Gen Re resources. The content focuses on major industry issues that transcend specific territories or lines of business, suitable for directors who may not work in the insurance industry.
Issue: April, 2009Language: English
Summary: NewsBrief is a business tool created to keep Gen Re clients and associates informed about industry news and developments. It is an electronic compilation of relevant news and articles affecting the insurance and reinsurance industry. It is e-mailed to recipients daily.
Issue: April, 2009Language: English
Summary: Gen Re shares our research on topics related to insurance, reinsurance and asset and capital management with our clients. This index contains Gen Re Articles from 2004 to 2008, sorted by topic.
Issue: April, 2009Language: English
Summary: Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease caused by the type A (H1N1) influenza virus. Swine flu affects pigs throughout the year, causing them illness but few fatalities. It is the nature of flu viruses to "reassort" their genetic components allowing new ones that mix swine, human or avian flu viruses to emerge. Humans do not normally contract swine flu but infections can and do happen. Swine flu viruses have been reported to have spread from person-to-person, but in the past this transmission has been limited and not sustained. However, in late March and early April 2009, cases of human infection A (H1N1) viruses were reported in the US and Mexico. Although the world is better prepared to manage the risk associated with a potential pandemic having addressed similar emotions with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), ebola virus and avian flu, it is worth considering the possible impact of the current swine flu outbreak.
Issue: April, 2009Language: English
Summary: This flyer recaps emerging issues research publications produced in North America through April 2009. A small summary about each publication is included.
Issue: April, 2009Language: English
Summary: Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease caused by the type A (H1N1) influenza virus. Swine flu affects pigs throughout the year, causing them illness but few fatalities. It is the nature of flu viruses to "reassort" their genetic components allowing new ones that mix swine, human or avian flu viruses to emerge. Humans do not normally contract swine flu but infections can and do happen. Swine flu viruses have been reported to have spread from person-to-person, but in the past this transmission has been limited and not sustained. However, in late March and early April 2009, cases of human infection A (H1N1) viruses were reported in the US and Mexico. Although the world is better prepared to manage the risk associated with a potential pandemic having addressed similar emotions with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), ebola virus and avian flu, it is worth considering the possible impact of the current swine flu outbreak.
Issue: April, 2009Language: English
Author:
John Gilbert
Summary: Valuing the stock market has become more challenging as traditional measures have in some cases become unstable. A stable long term series, however, simple it may be, suggests that long term returns are likely to be considerably improved from current levelsbut it will take several years at a minimum.
Issue: April, 2009Language: English
Summary: This flyer provides a recap of speaker presentations which addressed a number of timely and relevant topics including 2009 insurance industry perspectives, trends and legislative issues, weathering the current economic storm, rating agency perspectives, capital market challenges, evaluating cat model results and exposures, among other topics.
Issue: April, 2009Language: English
Author:
Charlie Kingdollar
Summary: In this edition of Hazardous Times, we examine the potential exposures arising from the use of Chinese-made drywall in residential and commercial buildings. Over the past few years, the news media has been reporting on potentially hazardous imports from China. A wide array of Chinese-made products, such as toys, medicine and pet food, have been the subject of product recalls and litigation. Given that injured parties have little or no recourse against Chinese manufacturers, U.S. suppliers, distributors and subcontractors may become defendants in possible toxic tort or construction defects litigation arising from Chinese-made drywall.
Issue: March, 2009Language: English
Author:
Tad Montross
Summary: Transferring risk and the insurance industry play a vital role in our global economy. Individuals and businesses depend on the judgments and commitments we make. As such, insurance is not a business for optimists, but for realists who assume and manage risk conservatively. This article is written by Tad Montross, Gen Re's Chairman and CEO.
Issue: March, 2009Language: English
Authors:
T. Michael Maloney,
Rick Rembisz
Summary: This edition of Facultative Matters has two articles: Historic Property Rehabilitation Tax-Credit Incentive Insurance and Future Liabilities From New Energy Technologies. There is also a Gen Re article reprint about property insurers going "green."
Issue: March, 2009Language: English
Summary: News Summaries: Canada: CAD 25 million settlement concerning infected food / EU: EU plans - introduction of class actions in Europe? / International: Is Bisphenol-A harmful? / UK: Environmental Liability Directive became law in England äs of 1 March 2009 / USA: Drug companies can also be held liable for side effects of generic products / Court dismisses class action againsta manufacturer of mobile telephones /
U.S. Supreme Court judgment rules thattheapplicatioi of mdividual state law regarding advertising for "light" cigarettes is permissible / Rhode Island Supreme Court lead-paint decision rejects products liability claim brought under public Nuisance laws Article Summary
UK - Durham v. BAI and others: a clear ruling on UK employers' liability insurance" (Dr. Mathias Schubert, PHi 2009, 2)
Issue: March, 2009Language: English
Summary: As the leading cause of claim under critical illness insurances in Australia, cancer claim rates in males have risen between 2001 and 2005, accoding to Gen Re Australian Critical Illness Survey 2008. We consider some of the underlying causes for the trend, and implications for product design.
Issue: March, 2009Language: English
Summary: CI Cover for Children in Different Parts of the World - from Individual Policy to Automatic Inclusion / The Future Burden of Heart Attack - How Changes inDiagnostic Criteria Affect the Number of Claims Under Critical Illness / Health Insurance in France / Genetics and Insurance Medicine on Handling Genetic Information / Inside Gen Re LifeHealth
Issue: March, 2009Language: English
Summary: From the Gen Re General Liability, Commercial Umbrella and Emerging Issues Teams **Available as a PDF only. Hard copies are not available.**
Issue: March, 2009Language: English
Author:
John Gilbert
Summary: The scale and complexity of governments' responses to the financial crisis is very large. While it is early to tell, it may increase the role of policy anticipation in investment analysis. Participants in the Chinese stock market have behaved that way all along.
Issue: March, 2009Language: English
Summary: The papers from this quarter consider issues relating to risk scoring and risk factors to see if the promise behind these methods may be justified.
Issue: February, 2009Language: English
Summary: Gen Re Life Health's Actuarial Course gives you an ideal opportunity to learn from Gen Re professionals and fellow practitioners about: traditional and innovative insurance products such as disability income, dread disease, long term care and group insurance; advanced risk management concepts to handle the risks inherent when writing life insurance business; and modern actuarial techniques, such as embedded value calculation and asset liability management.
Issue: February, 2009Language: English
Author:
Michael Clift
Summary: Participation in rock climbing and mountaineering has grown dramatically in recent years. Underwriters have seen a corresponding increase in the number of climbers that apply for life insurance. This article presents a review of participation, accidents and deaths developed from multiple sources over a 50-year period. The goal of this report is to provide updated information that may be useful in the evaluation of this risk.
Issue: February, 2009Language: English
Author:
John Gilbert
Summary: Treasury bond yields are unsustainably low. But Treasury Inflation Protected Securities, now out of favor, are quite attractive.
Issue: February, 2009Language: English
Author:
Charlie Kingdollar
Summary: In this edition of Insurance Issues, we discuss green construction and the new exposures it may create for Property and Casualty insurers. While the economic downturn has affected the real estate and construction markets, the green construction market or building in a more sustainable manner has remained robust. Topics highlighted in this issue are: Growing support for green construction; Ranking systems and training; Implications for Property and Casualty insurers; and Claims considerations.
Issue: January, 2009Language: English
Summary: This index provides a listing of Risk Insights newsletter topics and articles produced from 1999 to 2008.
Issue: January, 2009Language: English
Summary: This flyer recaps the research publications recently produced in North America. A small summary about each publication is included.
Issue: January, 2009Language: English
Summary: Focused Value Equity Management is a controlled risk approach to equity value investing. This discipline seeks to outperform the S&P 500 Stock Index (and respective peer groups) with less volatility over full market cycles, through a controlled risk process. Portfolios are constructed with comparable relative P/E, P/BV, and dividend yield relative to the S&P 500 Stock Index.
Issue: January, 2009Language: English
Summary: Since 1998, Gen Re has been providing COMET worldwide. COMET consists of a comprehensive range of medical and non-medical training modules, through formal workshops. The courses for our clients in South Africa are given in here.
Issue: January, 2009Language: English
Summary: Gen Re's Special Acceptance Unit is an important part of the Gen Re client relationship. Whether clients seek reinsurance protection for a risk outside of the Treaty or an underwriting opinion on their account, our Special Acceptance unit us ready to provide assistance and deliver outstanding service.
Issue: January, 2009Language: English
Summary: The markets are making the bet that the historic government intervention in the financial system in the economy will fail. Markets are priced for persistent deflation even as the policy response is unprecedented in scale and innovation. The market consensus will likely be proved wrong over time.
Issue: December, 2008Language: English
Authors:
Douglas Clark,
Mindy Pollack
Summary: This edition highlights the Mutual Service Office (MSO) and other Bureau forms, as well as coverage issues and wording solutions cutting across many lines of business. Topics discussed include:
MSO Forms How they compare to other Bureau wordings; New AAIS AgGL Program, and ISO GL/CU Update; Auto UM/UIM Wording challenges on bystander claims; Loss Notice Provisions in New York Occurrence and claims-made policies; Statement of Values and Questionnaires New cases and New Laws on Policy Wordings and Filings.
