Market News
Cook Islands Launches Captive Insurer to Boost Risk Resilience and Retention
The Cook Islands has launched its first government-owned captive insurance company, Cook Islands Captive Insurance Company, to improve risk management, access global reinsurance, and retain value locally. Backed by Cook Islands Investment Corporation and partnered with Willis, the insurer aims to offer sustainable, tailored coverage to public assets starting October 2025. Read More
Alternative Capital Reaches $121 Billion Record High, Aon ILS Report Shows
Aon's 2025 Insurance-Linked Securities (ILS) Annual Report highlights alternative capital reaching $121 billion, with catastrophe bond issuance at $21.7 billion and sidecars at $17 billion. Insurer participation rose to 58 percent, while Florida-focused issuances reached $5 billion. Despite global catastrophes, catastrophe bonds delivered 14.1 percent returns for investors. Read More
AM Best Issues Revised Criteria for Rating Captives and Other ART Entities
AM Best released its revised criteria, "Rating Captives and Other Alternative Risk Transfer Entities." The update clarifies treatment of incorporated and unincorporated cell entities, affirms the weakest link approach, details letters of credit standards, and emphasizes parental support and governance in evaluating captive insurance companies' credit ratings. Read More
Premiums Increased Across Most Commercial Lines in July
The July 2025 "Ivans Index" showed year-over-year premium renewal rate increases across most commercial lines, including commercial auto, business owners policy (BOP), general liability, property, and umbrella, while workers compensation declined. Month over month, general liability, umbrella, and workers compensation saw gains, while commercial auto, BOP, and property recorded decreases in rate changes. Read More
Cayman Islands Prepares for FATF Review with Legislative Overhaul
The Cayman Islands passed two amendment bills to prepare for the 2027 Financial Action Task Force (FATF) assessment, strengthen anti–money laundering compliance, modernize nonprofit governance, and clarify tokenized investment fund regulation under its virtual asset regime, reinforcing the jurisdiction's global competitiveness and appeal as a FinTech and financial services hub. Read More