Industry Analysis & Industry Trends
The Global Reinsurance Carriers industry provides support to direct insurance markets all over the world. In essence, reinsurers provide insurance for policies the insurance industries have written, but are subsequently unwilling or unable to accept. A primary insurer purchases reinsurance to limit its exposure, usually to one specific type of risk, thereby diversifying its book of risk. The global reinsurance market then spreads these risks across more companies and countries, thereby maximizing the spread of risk and protection against unforeseen losses. This improves the capital efficiency of the overall insurance market so that less capital is required to back any unit of risk... read more
Starting a New Business
Regulations for reinsurance tend not to be as high as for primary insurance industries. Reinsurers normally have to apply for an operating license in each of the countries they seek to operate. Gaining a license generally requires reinsurers to demonstrate a solid operating record, healthy balance sheet and excess surplus to suffice all ordinary contingencies in addition to minimum capital requirements. In establishing operations, reinsurers must also submit regular performance reports and continue to conform to minimum capital and solvency standards.
The need to meet minimum capital requirements imposes substantial start-up costs on reinsurers. This presents another major hurdle for entry into the industry... read more