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What is Insurance Underwriting ?

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  What is Insurance Underwriting? | School of Insurance What is Insurance Underwriting? Insurance underwriting is the process of evaluating a risk to determine if an insurance company will insure it and, if so, how to price it. Historically, underwriting relied solely on human expertise and judgment. Today, it combines that experience with data analytics, artificial intelligence, and digital tools to improve accuracy and speed. The underwriting process is critical for maintaining a healthy loss ratio . Strong underwriting ensures that the company earns more in premiums than it pays out in claims, directly impacting profitability and long-term financial health. Investing in underwriting training and strategy reduces risks, improves decision-making, and strengthens the insurer’s bottom line. How Does the Underwriting Process Work? Underwriting can be complex because every risk is unique. In small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), fast under...

Cybersecurity Insurance: How It Protects Your Business from Cyberattacks

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What Is Cyber Insurance? Why Is It Important? Cyber insurance , also known as cybersecurity insurance , helps businesses mitigate the risk of cybercrimes such as data breaches and cyberattacks. It protects organizations from the financial impact of internet-based threats that affect IT systems and data security — risks that are often not covered by traditional insurance policies. Why Is Cyber Insurance Important? As the number of cyberattacks increases worldwide, cyber insurance has become essential for all businesses. A data breach or cyber incident can cause major financial and reputational damage — from losing customers to potential lawsuits and regulatory penalties. For example, in 2011, hackers breached Sony’s PlayStation Network, compromising data from 77 million users. The incident cost Sony over $171 million — and because it lacked cyber insurance, the company had to bear the entire loss. How Does Cyber Insurance Work? Cyber insurance works similarly to ...

Understanding Insurance Lessons from the Movie "Captain Phillips

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Understanding Insurance Lessons from the Movie " Captain Phillips" The 2013 movie Captain Phillips , starring Tom Hanks, is a gripping thriller based on the real-life hijacking of the " Maersk Alabama " by Somali pirates in 2009 . While the film primarily focuses on survival, leadership, and global security threats, it also sheds light on an often-overlooked aspect—maritime insurance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEyM01dAxp8 The real-life account of Captain Richard Phillips and the 2009 hijacking of the U.S.-flagged MV Maersk Alabama by Somali pirates—the first American cargo ship seized in two centuries. The Role of Maritime Insurance in High-Risk Areas Shipping vessels operate under substantial risk, especially in areas known for piracy, such as the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. Captain Phillips highlights the vulnerabilities faced by cargo ships in these high-risk zones. Insurers provide specialized marine policies to mitigate financial losses from su...

'Bancassurance Guidelines for Banks' - Paving the Way for New Horizons in Banking

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  On December 20, 2023, the Bangladesh Bank issued a circular titled " Bancassurance Guidelines for Banks ", permitting them to act as intermediaries in the sale of insurance products on behalf of insurance companies. This marks a recent development for both the banking and insurance sectors. “ Bancassurance is basically the provision of and selling of banking and Insurance Products by the same origination under the same roof” What is Bancassurance? Bancassurance involves a collaborative arrangement between a bank and an insurance company, enabling the insurance company to offer its products to the banks clientele. This mutually beneficial partnership allows banks to generate extra revenue through the sale of insurance products, while insurance companies can broaden their customer reach without the need to expand their sales force. Bancassurance Industry Growth The global bancassurance market, especially prominent in the Asia-Pacific region and primarily focused on life i...

“Legal Battle Unfolds: Swiss Re Challenges Silverstein's Audacious Bid to Double 9/11 Insurance Payout”

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     9/11  terrorist  attacks on the World Trade Center (WTC) September 11, 2001, a date etched in collective memory, forever changed the landscape of Lower Manhattan and the world at large. The horrific terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center (WTC) claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 innocent people, leaving behind a legacy of unimaginable loss and resilience. The Claim and its Complexities: Following the collapse of the towers, Silverstein filed a $7.1 billion insurance claim, arguing that the attacks constituted two separate occurrences – one for each tower – triggering the full policy amount twice. Insurance companies, however, contested this interpretation, arguing that the attacks should be considered a single event, limiting the payout to $3.5 billion. Legal Battles and Eventual Settlement: The ensuing legal battle was long and complex, involving multiple insurance companies and intricate arguments about policy wording and intent. Finally...