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27 Mar 2024

Insurers Brace for Multibillion Dollar Losses After Baltimore Ship Tragedy

(Photo: Baltimore County Police Department)

Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse could cost insurers several billions of dollars in claims, sources say, but it is too early to calculate the likely full financial losses of the tragedy that has shuttered one of the busiest ports in the United States.Six peopleare still missing after a collision with a Singapore-flagged container ship destroyed the landmark bridge on Tuesday, forcing the closure of the Port of Baltimore.With little clarity on when the port would re-open, insurers and analysts are now assessing the likely losses borne by underwriters across several product lines in

10 Oct 2019

New Online Marine License Insurance Program

Mariners looking for insurance have a new option that is touted as being fast and affordable, cared for immediately in an online format that is designed to be more expedient than ever.360 Coverage Pros launched a new Marine License Insurance Program for mariners that offers an entirely online buying experience combined with low monthly payment options and instant proof of coverage.Until now, the process of securing a marine license insurance policy involved requesting quotes,…

14 Feb 2018

P&I Clubs Strong But Pricing Under Pressure

Balance sheets of clubs operating in the marine protection and indemnity (P&I) sector are generally strong, bolstered by several years of positive earnings but underwriting discipline will be tested over the February 2018 renewal period, according to a new report by A.M. Best. The Best’s Special Report, “Balance Sheets of P&I Clubs Strong But Pricing Under Pressure Amid Strong Competition” states that ahead of the Feb. 20, 2018 renewal deadline, pressure from members and brokers to reduce rates is growing. Competition is intense, exacerbated by a growing fixed-premium market. Catherine Thomas, senior director, analytics, said: “Historically, clubs were able to use investment income, not only to enhance free reserves, but also to offset underwriting losses.

17 Jul 2017

AHHI Insures 1,900 Vessels in First Year

Cyprus-based American Hellenic Hull Insurance (AHHI) surpassed key targets during its first year of operation: 1,900 insured vessels, written premium income exceeded $10 million and covered 35 million GT on 100% basis, said a press statement. During its latest Board meeting in June 2017, American Hellenic Hull Insurance Company appointed two new Directors, Angelos Kostakos of Oceanstar Management Inc. and . Panagiotis Christodoulatos of Ikaros Shipping & Brokerage Kostakos is Legal, Insurance and Claims Director of Oceanstar Management Inc. and a member of the Board of Directors of the American P&I Club since 2008. Christodoulatos is Managing Director of Ikaros Shipping & Brokerage with 30 years of experience in Shipmanagement…

19 May 2017

S & P Credit Rating for Shipowners’ Club

Following a request by The Shipowners’ Mutual Protection and Indemnity Association (Luxembourg), as from 19 May 2017 AM Best will  no longer provide a rating of the Club. This decision was taken by the Club in December 2016 following a review of the costs and benefits of maintaining two interactive ratings, coupled with a review of market practice and appetite for rating information. The Shipowners Board concluded that Members’ interests would be best served by having only one rating in future. This rating will be provided by Standard & Poor’s, who currently rate Shipowners at ‘A’ (Stable outlook). The Club’s rating underlines the financial strength of the Club.

27 May 2016

TT Club Reports Robust Financial Results for 2015

TT Club has announced its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2015, and AM Best affirms its A- (Excellent) rating for the 10th consecutive year. Knud Pontoppidan, Chairman of TT Club, said, “After very good years in 2013 and 2014, 2015 was what most might be described as a ‘normal year’. Incidents such as Tianjin and a number of cargo-related fires meant the Club experienced a higher number of large claims above $1million than in 2013 and 2014. “Despite the increase in large claims, and the soft rating conditions, the Club continues to be in good shape,” Pontoppidan said. “The Board and I are pleased with our very high retention levels in 2015 at 93 percent and the feedback we receive from Members and brokers on our service levels.

20 Jan 2016

Safe Harbor Pollution Insurance Broadens In-house Capacity

Safe Harbor Pollution Insurance broadens panel of security, increases marine pollution capacity    Vessel pollution liability insurance company Safe Harbor Pollution Insurance announced it has expanded its carrier partnerships to include Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company (BHSI) and Argonaut Insurance Company.   With this expanded panel, Safe Harbor said it has more than tripled its in-house capacity. BHSI, which carries a financial strength rating of A++ from AM Best, and Argonaut, rated A by AM Best, join A rated Starr Indemnity & Liability Company on the Safe Harbor panel.   Safe Harbor Pollution Insurance is a member of the Falvey Insurance Group, a MGA group specializing in cargo, yacht and marine pollution.

27 Mar 2015

Swedish Club Reports 'Healthy Growth'

The Swedish Club reported a solid operating result to its board today, continuing a record of building on steady growth. 2014 was seen as a stable year, where the underwriting result outperformed the financial performance and the insurance products across the board returned a staunch to high surplus. Renewals were in line with that market environment showing a modest increase in both tonnage and new members. Importantly, the Club was able to demonstrate almost 100% member retention - affirming the high levels of customer satisfaction it has reported throughout the year.

27 Mar 2015

Steady Growth Reported by the Swedish Club

The Swedish Club reported a solid operating result to its board today, continuing a record of building on steady growth. 2014 was seen as a stable year, where the underwriting result outperformed the fi­nancial performance and the insurance products across the board returned a staunch to high surplus. Renewals were in line with that market environ­ment showing a modest increase in both tonnage and new members. Importantly, the Club was able to demonstrate almost 100% member retention - affirming the high levels of customer satisfaction it has reported throughout the year. This operating result was strong given the claims experience and on-going market conditions, with the Club recording an overall surplus of USD 18.4 million while free reserves reached USD 186 million.

10 Oct 2014

TT Club Shows Strong YTD Performance

The TT Club, an international transport and logistics insurance provider,  released a trading update for the period 1 January - 31 August 2014. Charles Fenton, Chief Executive of the TT Club, said: “Low claim levels have continued through from 2013 which have contributed to TT Club’s strong financial performance in the year to date. We have obtained a mid-year combined ratio which is below 100% and slightly below the Board’s requirement. This is a very healthy place to be. “The current soft market conditions we are seeing have negatively impacted premium levels but this has been offset by good growth in Member reported volumes and also by net new business.

27 Apr 2014

‘Excellent’ rating for UK War Risks

The UK War Risks Club announced the affirmation of its A- ‘Excellent’ financial strength rating with a ‘Stable’ outlook from the insurance rating agency AM Best. Club Manager Andrew Ward welcomed this confirmation of the Club’s financial rating: “The continuing ‘Excellent’ rating by AM Best re-affirms the UK War Risks Club’s financial strength and stability. Despite the volatility of this sector, the UK War Risks Club continued its policy of returning premiums to Members at the 2014 renewal, as well as reducing its annual rates to Members. It remains committed to providing high quality cover and service at competitive rates.

19 Aug 2013

Fidelis Launch Inland Marine Division

Fidelis logo

Fidelis Group Holdings, through its subsidiary company Continental Underwriters, Ltd., a national marine Insurance coverage and service leader, announced today the formation of its new Inland Marine Division. Ed Helfers and Lisa Uzzo named Managing Directors. The new Inland Marine division will be based in the Company's New York office. H. Elder Brown, Jr., FGH's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said in a company statement, "We are excited to bring very senior, experienced talent into this new division of the Company.

14 Aug 2013

When is a Vessel Not a Vessel? Maritime Law Podcast Explains

A.M. Best Co. has released the latest installment of the Insurance Law Podcast , a series that examines timely insurance issues from an attorney’s point of view. This episode features attorney David Skeen of the firm Wright, Constable & Skeen, LLP in Baltimore, Maryland. Mr. Skeen has been practicing admiralty law for 39 years and has been an editor with the publication American Maritime Cases for most of that time. He is a member of the Maritime Law Association of the United States and has written and lectured on various aspects of maritime law. Mr. Skeen discusses the decision of the Supreme Court of the United States in the case of Lozman v. City of Riviera Beach, Florida to hold that a houseboat previously considered a vessel under maritime law was not a vessel.

05 Jul 2013

Peak Re Makes Senior Appointments in Hong Kong

Clockwise from top left: Lay-Hui Lim, Jasmine Miow, Shibo Zhang and Arina Tek

Peak Reinsurance Company Ltd., a Hong Kong reinsurer backed by Fosun International Limited and International Finance Corporation, announced four appointments to strengthen its underwriting and research capabilities in the Asia Pacific region. These new hires are part of Peak Re’s strategic plan to bring world-class reinsurance experience to the region, the company said. Lay-Hui Lim joins Peak Re as Senior Vice President (SVP) of Underwriting and will lead the company’s marine business.

19 Apr 2013

Falvey Announces New Pollution Insurance Division

Falvey Insurance Group has formed a new division, Safe Harbor Pollution Insurance. Offering some of the broadest terms available in the commercial market, Safe Harbor's Global Vessel Pollution Policy provides comprehensive protection for any vessel, owner or operator. Veteran insurance professionals Russ Brown, Tony Gerone and Sean Quinn bring over 35 years of experience in underwriting marine pollution coverage to the new Long Island-based company. "The establishment of Safe Harbor Pollution Insurance Company represents the realization of our longstanding vision to offer an unparalleled level of service to our marketplace," said principal Russ Brown.

12 Apr 2013

U.K. War Risks Club Awarded Excellent Financial Rating

The United Kingdom Mutual War Risks Association Limited (U.K. War Risks Club) is pleased to announce that it has been awarded an A- "excellent" financial strength rating with a "stable" outlook from AM Best, the insurance rating and information source. AM Best’s rating reflects the U.K. War Risks Club’s “excellent risk adjusted capitalisation,” “good operating performance” and “good business profile.”  Although the rating agency expects performance to remain volatile, reflecting the inherent nature of war risks insurance, the U.K. Despite the volatility of this sector, the U.K. War Risks Club has reported a post-tax surplus in four of the last five years.

14 Nov 2012

FGH Expands Marine Insurance Capabilities

Fidelis Group Holdings LLC Announces Additional Excess Marine Liability Capacity For The Maritime Industry. Fidelis Group Holdings LLC (FGH) through its subsidiary company Continental Underwriters, Ltd., a leader in providing Marine Insurance coverages and services, announced today details of their new $25,000,000 Excess Marine Liability facility for the maritime industry. The insurer for the program is Houston Casualty Company (NYSE: HCC) rated A+ by A.M. Best. The program is…

20 Feb 2001

OceanConnect.com Offers Credit Insurance

OceanConnect.com, the independent online marketplace for the purchase and sale of marine fuels, products and services introduced an innovative feature called OceanConnect.com Credit Solutions. Through the website, up to $1 million of credit protection could be available per ship owner closing business on the OceanConnect.com site. OceanConnect.com Credit Solutions provides the opportunity for suppliers to be covered for losses due to insolvency or default by buyers. Coverage is provided by an underwriter rated "A+XV" by A.M. Best Company. When an auction is created, available coverage is calculated instantly and can be viewed by buyers and invited suppliers on the auction monitor. OceanConnect.com Credit Solutions provides benefits to both suppliers and buyers alike.

21 Jun 2011

A.M. Best Awards TT Club "A-" Rating

TT Club, the leading mutual insurer in the international freight and logistics arena, has had its financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) re-affirmed by the US rating agency, A. M. Best. In a statement issued today announcing the Club’s ratings, A. M. Best expressed its view of the insurer’s balance sheet strength: “TT Club is expected to maintain excellent consolidated, risk-adjusted capitalization in 2011 following the good operating surplus achieved in 2010.” It also commented, “The Club continues to set reserves with a significant margin established above internal actuary’s best estimate”. The agency expects The Club’s underwriting results…

09 Oct 2001

CENTRE GROUP, TUFTON OCEANIC STRUCTURE HIGH-YIELD CDO

Shipping Bond Fund Ltd. A member of the Centre Group and TuftonOceanic have completed what is believed to be the first collateralized debt obligation (CDO) comprised entirely of high-yield shipping bonds. The $50 million CDO, Shipping Bond Fund Ltd., is unique due to its size and the fact that it selected assets solely from a select group of shipping industry bonds with high asset coverage ratios. Centre looks for opportunities to work with experienced partners to structure and provide capacity to CDOs and other asset-backed structured finance transactions through the application of non-traditional insurance and reinsurance products.

13 Nov 2012

Fidelis Offers Additional Marine Insurance Excess Cover

Fidelis Group Holdings LLC offers a new US$25-million excess marine liability facility for the maritime industry. Fidelis Group Holdings LLC (FGH) through its subsidiary company Continental Underwriters, Ltd., announce details of their new US$25,000,000 Excess Marine Liability facility for the maritime industry. The insurer for the program is Houston Casualty Company rated A+ by A.M. Best. The program is designed to write excess marine liability insurance including Bumbershoot Liability excess of acceptable underlying insurers. "The addition of this new excess marine liability facility will further expand FGH's marine insurance capabilities by providing to the market responsible excess capacity underwriting with excellent security," explained H. Elder Brown, Jr., President and CEO of FGH.

20 Apr 2005

TT Club Outlook Improved

TT Club’s improving financial position has been acknowledged by industry ratings agency AM Best, which has revised its outlook on the mutual insurer’s rating from ‘stable’ to ‘positive’. This latest recognition marks further progress toward the goal of regaining an ‘A-’ rating. In its press release AM Best affirmed a rating of ‘B++ (Very Good)’ and indicated that the change of outlook reflects an expectation that the current ratings could be reassessed once TT Club has demonstrated a consistent track record of strong earnings. TT Club’s 2004 record performance saw gross earned premiums rise by over 20% and the total surplus and reserves increase by 58%.