What keeps reinsurers up at night?

In a world full of risk, reinsurers have plenty to worry about. Twelve market leaders reveal their concerns to Intelligent Insurer.

So far, 2012 has been a quiet year for reinsurers. The lack of any substantial catastrophic events has allowed them to recover from last year’s onslaught of losses and return to profitability. The current calm has not, however, lulled them into a false sense of security.

Reinsurers spend a lot of time scanning the horizon for potential threats, and these can come from a variety of sources. We surveyed 12 companies to find out the risks that are keeping their top executives awake at night and which are at the top of their agendas.

Perhaps surprisingly, it is not catastrophic events that top their list of concerns: instead, it is regulation. The impending Solvency II regime remains a worry to many, it seems, and is proving onerous for reinsurers seeking compliance or equivalence. Their concerns range from logistical issues, such as staffing levels, to the overall structure of the regulation and the way it is being implemented.