Description: This article looks at how the underwriting process has transformed from a paper process to become fully online. Not only has the process been digitized, there has been various innovations incorporating technology thus enabling large volume process automation, better customer experience as well as higher closing ratio. Other than improvement on speed and efficiency, various smart solutions are being explored to refine risk management through data mining and analysis of underwriting data.

Description: Insurance companies significantly expanded their use of life reinsurance throughout the late '90s and early '00s. This has meant that volumes being ceded to the reinsurance market have continued to expand after a brief respite in 2001 through quota share opportunities with direct insurers keeping only a portion of their published retention.

Description: This year’s Survey, its sixth year, further reflects the impact of health care reform and the resulting prevalence of unlimited lifetime maximums on stop loss coverage. Of surveyed plans, 88% report such coverage –a steep increase from 13% in 2010. About half pair an unlimited lifetime with an interim annual maximum of $5 million or less. Premiums continue to rise (to no surprise)and are 60% to 70% higher than levels reported in our initial Survey in 2007. The primary focus of the Survey, current premium rates, is shown in the following graphs and tables.

Description: Highlights of the 2001 Manulife Reinsurance Mortality Study conducted in conjunction with the Reinsurance Section on the mortality experience of large amount and older age policies.

Description: To inform and educate stakeholders for health plans and insurers on novel ways to optimize reinsurance structures to meet capital related goals and boost RBC and liquidity ratios. In lieu of traditional market-based financial instruments involving equity and/or debt, a quota share transaction can be used with potentially far more attractive terms and achieving essentially the same result.

Description: If you have an interest in the latest developments in state laws affecting reinsurance, or are concerned about federal activity with regard to terrorism or asbestos or need timely and reliable data on the U.S. reinsurance market you should know about the work of the Reinsurance Association of America RAA.

Description: Presents the results of the 2014 Life Reinsurance Survey - an annual survey showing new business writings and in force figures by reinsurance company for the North American life reinsurance industry (US and Canada)

Description: As today's medical and technological advances continue to be utilized and applied to diabetes mellitus (DM), a newer and even more complex framework for the disease is emerging, which may help us further our understanding of it. This article explores the most recent classification update and some of the newer thinking emerging about DM.

Description: Feature article discussing the current state of reinsurance for the variable annuity market.

Description: A summary of the impact of the "Internet of Things" on the insurance industry.