Market News

Captive insurance activity remained strong in early 2026 as established and emerging domiciles expanded. Middle-market organizations increasingly considered group captives and medical stop-loss, while mature captive owners focused on optimization, new coverage lines, multiyear programs, improved analytics, and more efficient uses of capital amid evolving regulatory and fronting requirements. Read More

Admitted or authorized reinsurance allows a ceding insurer to receive statutory credit when reinsurance meets applicable regulatory requirements. In captive insurance programs, a reinsurer's regulatory status can affect fronting arrangements, collateral obligations, liquidity, and the treatment of reinsurance recoverables on the ceding insurer's statutory financial statements. Read More

US property-casualty insurers posted a $31.7 billion underwriting gain in the first half of 2026 as catastrophe losses declined and investment income increased. The industry's combined ratio improved to 92.7, but Verisk and APCIA said insurers continue to face significant catastrophe exposure, rising casualty claim severity and competitive market pressures. Read More

Rising pharmacy costs, advanced therapies, and evolving pharmacy benefit manager arrangements are creating significant risks for employers. Captive owners can address these exposures through enterprise-level decisions about risk retention, transfer, and mitigation. Better data, clinical intervention, specialized consultation, and employee education can support favorable health outcomes while managing financial volatility more effectively. Read More

The "Ivans Index" showed most commercial insurance renewal rates declining month over month in August 2026, although five major lines continued to post year-over-year increases. Commercial auto, businessowners policy, general liability, commercial property, and umbrella rates fell from July, while workers compensation increased slightly but remained negative year over year. Read More