Global and Asia‑Pacific insurance markets are navigating a volatile landscape as geopolitical tensions stemming from the Iran conflict intensify. Remarkably, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the sector continue to accelerate, highlighting a divergence between escalating underwriting risks and robust dealmaking activity. Analysts attribute this trend to insurers’ strategic pursuit of consolidation, scale, and market diversification […]

Secondary perils dominate global catastrophe claims despite calmer hurricane activity In 2025, secondary perils—including wildfires, severe convective storms (SCS), and floods—accounted for 92% of global insured natural catastrophe losses, according to Swiss Re Institute. Total losses reached US$107 billion, reflecting a year shaped more by the frequency of events than by any single extreme disaster. […]

Taiwanese life insurers are likely to encounter short-term volatility in their Middle East holdings as the ongoing regional conflict continues, although the sector’s financial position appears resilient, according to S&P Global Ratings. The insurer report highlights that rated companies hold bonds primarily linked to Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Effie Tsai, […]

At the outset of 2026, Europe’s insurance and reinsurance industry is experiencing a notable uptick in consolidation and merger activity. Following a series of significant deals, numerous reinsurance firms have become increasingly active in evaluating potential acquisitions to strengthen their market positions. A recent high-profile transaction by Zurich Insurance Group’s specialist unit, Beazle, has emphasised […]