Market News

The insurance-linked-securities (ILS) market reached a record $107 billion in 2024, fueled by strong catastrophe (cat) bond performance, retained earnings, and new capital. AM Best and Guy Carpenter reported increased capacity across cat bonds, sidecars, and collateralized reinsurance, with risk-adjusted rates declining due to surplus capacity and 2 consecutive loss-free years. Read More

The US property-casualty insurance industry achieved a $22.9 billion underwriting profit in 2024, its first in 4 years. Improved combined ratios, strong personal lines performance, and rising investment income fueled the gain. Industry surplus grew to $1.1 trillion, with notable capital gains from Berkshire Hathaway contributing to record net income. Read More

Organizations experienced an increase in ransomware attacks during the fourth quarter of 2024, according to the Q4 2024 Cyber Threat Report from The Travelers Companies, Inc.The report found an increase in new ransomware groups, demonstrating a growing number of smaller, more agile threat actors in the cyber-crime ecosystem. Read More

Heightened global geopolitical tensions and protectionist trade strategies are increasing organizations' risk of acute supply chain failures in 2025, a new report from Marsh suggests. Organizations that trade with connector countries to circumvent trade controls—or have suppliers doing the same—may face greater supply chain risks, Marsh said. Read More

US commercial insurance prices continued to increase in the fourth quarter of 2024, though increases moderated, according to Willis Towers Watson (WTW). Insurers reported an aggregate price increase of 5.6 percent during the final 3 months of 2024, down from a 6.1 percent increase reported during the year's third quarter. Read More