Weekly Articles
Climate, Catastrophes and LA Fires
CoreLogic pegs LA wildfire insured loss at $35bn to $45bn - Reinsurance News
CoreLogic estimates $35–$45 billion in insured losses from the Eaton and Palisades Fires in Los Angeles, driven by extensive residential property damage, demand surge, and high-value homes.
StateFarm reports over 6,700 claims from LA wildfires - Reinsurance News
StateFarm has reported over 6,700 claims resulting from the recent Los Angeles wildfires, contributing to insured loss estimates ranging from $10 billion to over $30 billion. Despite the significant losses, analysts suggest that the impact on global reinsurers will be manageable, with no major effect on earnings anticipated.
InvestorClimate Group Suspends Activities After BlackRock Exit: Reuters Exclusive - Investor Journal
The Net-Zero Asset Managers (NZAM) initiative has suspended its activities following BlackRock's departure amid political backlash in the U.S. This pause allows NZAM to review its objectives and address varying regulatory and client expectations across different jurisdictions.
Fire-Ravaged LA to See Respite But Danger ‘Not Yet Passed’ - Claims Journal
Los Angeles is experiencing a temporary reprieve from the dry, dangerous winds that have fueled devastating wildfires, with red flag warnings expected to end by 3 p.m. local time today. However, the NationalWeather Service warns that no rain is forecasted, and strong Santa Ana winds coupled with low humidity are anticipated to return starting Sunday night, prolonging the wildfire threat.
A Los Angeles Actuary on Lessons From the Palisades Fire - Insurance Journal
The Palisades Fire in Los Angeles, fueled by strong Santa Ana winds, destroyed over 12,000 structures, including landmarks like the Will Rogers State Historic Park, resulting in an estimated economic toll exceeding $250 billion and insured losses over $30 billion. This disaster has intensified challenges in California's insurance market, leading to increased reliance on the California FAIR Plan and highlighting the urgent need for enhanced wildfire mitigation strategies.
Businesses advised to strengthen loss controls as nat cat risks rise | Insurance Business America
Businesses are being urged to enhance loss control measures as natural catastrophe risks escalate, particularly in the aftermath of wildfires that increase susceptibility to flooding and landslides. Implementing a comprehensive Flood Emergency Response Plan (FERP) and reinforcing structure scan mitigate these risks and potentially lower insurance premiums.
Damaging Mega-droughts Are Spreading Around the World – Insurance Journal
A global study highlights worsening mega-droughts driven by climate change, affecting ecosystems, agriculture, and economies. Regions like the western U.S. and southeastern Australia are hardest hit, with impacts expanding yearly.
Cyber
Cyber Cube predicts AI will amplify cyber attacks in 2025 - Reinsurance News
CyberCube's 2025 Predictions Report forecasts that artificial intelligence (AI)will empower cybercriminals to conduct more extensive and sophisticated attacks. This aligns with recent observations of AI-generated phishing scams targeting corporate executives, indicating a trend toward increasingly personalized and effective cyber threats.
A recent Chubb survey reveals that 89% of executives intend to expand their cyber insurance coverage to address increasing technological vulnerabilities. Cybersecurity and technological disruption are identified as the top threats to business growth.
Environmental & PFAS
Bayer Faces Billions in Payouts for Decades-Old Toxic Mess – Insurance Journal
Bayer AG faces significant financial exposure from lawsuits over Monsanto's toxicPCBs, including a recent $100M verdict and $2B in settlements. Litigation persists, impacting its financial stability.
Class Action Settlements Eclipse $40B in 2024; PFAS Suits Emerging - Carrier Management
In 2024, class-action lawsuit settlements surpassed $40 billion for the third consecutive year, totaling approximately $42 billion, according to a Duane Morris analysis. The report highlights the emergence of PFAS (per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances) litigation as a significant area of focus for plaintiffs' attorneys.
Risks
Allianz Risk Barometer – Identifying the major business risks for 2025 – Allianz
The Allianz Risk Barometer 2025 identifies cyber incidents, business interruption, and natural catastrophes as the top three global business risks. Cyber incidents, including ransomware attacks and data breaches, rank first for the fourth consecutive year, with 38% of respondents expressing concern.
These are the biggest risks we face now and in the next 10 years – WEF
The World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2025 highlights increasing concerns about state-based armed conflict, extreme weather, and societal polarization as top risks, reflecting growing geopolitical and environmental challenges.
Litigation & Mass Torts
Texas Lawsuit Alleges Allstate Illegally Collects Driver Data - Insurance Journal
The State of Texas has filed a lawsuit against Allstate, alleging the insurer illegally collected driver data through embedded software in mobile apps without users' consent, violating the state's Data Privacy and Security Act.Allstate and its subsidiary, Arity, reportedly amassed trillions of miles of location data from over 45 million customers nationwide, using it for under writing and selling it to third parties, including other insurers.
Meta Knew It Used Pirated Books to Train AI, Authors Say - Insurance Journal
Authors, including Ta-Nehisi Coates and Sarah Silverman, have accused MetaPlatforms of knowingly using pirated versions of their copyrighted books to train its AI systems, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg allegedly approving the use of the infringing dataset. Internal Meta communications revealed concerns among executives about the legality of using the LibGen dataset, which contains millions of pirated works, yet the company proceeded with its use.
New York City Lawsuit Against Exxon, BP, Shell Over Climate Change Dismissed - Claims Journal
A New York state judge has dismissed the city's lawsuit against Exxon Mobil, BP, Shell, and the American Petroleum Institute, which alleged that these companies misled the public about their contributions to climate change and overstated their investments in clean energy. The court found insufficient evidence of deceptive "greenwashing" campaigns and determined that general statements promoting cleaner energy were too vague to be considered misleading.
Reinsurance
Fitch Ratings projects that global reinsurers will maintain strong profitability in 2025, even as reinsurance rates are expected to decrease by 5% to 15% for loss-free property catastrophe business starting January 1. This anticipated profitability is supported by reinsurers' robust capital positions, with dedicated reinsurance capital reaching a record $463 billion in 2024, driven by higher asset values and the growth of catastrophe bonds.
Reinsurance getting more competitive as capital levels rise, says Evercore - Reinsurance News
Evercore’s report predicts that reinsurance capital growth will exceed demand in 2025, increasing competition and driving down property catastrophe pricing, which has already declined by 10% at this year’s renewals. Although terms and conditions remain firm, analysts expect slower growth, moderating returns, and pressure on reinsurer profitability as market capacity continues to outstrip demand.
Re/insurance pricing could firm after unexpected wildfire losses: Berenberg - Reinsurance News
Berenberg analysts suggest that the unexpected wildfire losses inCalifornia could lead to firmer reinsurance pricing, as these events may prompt reinsurers to reassess risk and adjust premiums accordingly. Despite thepotential for increased pricing, the overall impact on reinsurers' 2025 earnings is expected to be manageable, as the losses fall within their large loss budgets.
Re/insurance industry well capitalized to absorb LA wildfire losses: KBRA - Reinsurance News
KBRA reports that the re/insurance industry is well-capitalized to absorb the estimated $20–25 billion in insured losses from the Los Angeles wildfires, with total economic losses potentially reaching $150 billion. Despite the significant impact, the industry's robust capital position is expected to mitigate financial strain.
Workers’ Comp
Florida Appeals Court Upsets Applecart on Workers’ Comp Statute of Limitations - Insurance Journal
A recent decision by Florida's 1st District Court ofAppeals may impact workers' compensation insurers by potentially extending thestatute of limitations on certain claims. The case involved an injured workerwhose authorized physician mistakenly billed her group health insurance, leading the insurer to deny benefits after assuming the statute of limitations had expired.
AI and Automation Reshape Workers' Comp | Insurance Thought Leadership
Artificial intelligence (AI) and automation are transforming workers' compensation by streamlining claims processing, enhancing decision-making accuracy, and improving outcomes for both insurers and injured workers. These technologies automate routine tasks, allowing professionals to focus on complex cases, and utilize advanced data analysis to provide real-time insights, thereby increasing efficiency and reducing errors.
Technology and Innovation
InsurTechs Highlight New Approaches to Wildfire Insurance - Claims Journal
InsurTech companies are adopting innovative approaches to wildfire insurance, utilizing advanced technologies and data analytics to better assess and manage risks. For instance, Delos Insurance Solutions employs proprietary satellite imagery and algorithms to model wildfire risks at higher spatial and temporal resolutions, enabling them to underwrite policies in areas that traditional insurers may deem too risky.
How AI Will Transform Insurance in 2025 | Insurance Thought Leadership
In 2025, artificial intelligence (AI) is set to revolutionize the insurance industry by enhancing underwriting processes, modernizing reinsurance strategies, and streamlining compliance efforts. Insurers leveraging AI will achieve more accurate risk assessments, develop dynamic reinsurance models, and adapt swiftly to regulatory changes, thereby gaining a competitive edge in the evolving market.
Alan Gray was established in 1988 as a claims and audit advisory firm, and over the years has built a reputation as a cost-effective, reliable, and trusted resource to those involved in the management of risk.
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