Gen Re Research publications are another way we deliver underwriting expertise to clients. Gen Re's wealth of knowledge on various matters related to insurance and reinsurance issues is available to our clients on a global basis in several languages. Our aim is to deliver timely insights prepared by our specialists on topics that are most important to you. From mining risks to uninsured motorists to building contractors, we stay current with developments affecting the risks you write. Through our publications, we add to the ways we share that information with you.
Our research is prepared for and shared with the Gen Re client community. Some articles are generally available to all visitors while most research publications are for "clients only". Gen Re's clients can access our full research library and search capabilities through Gen Re Online, our Extranet. Clients can also obtain electronic and print copies of any individual publications by contacting us at . Our Publication Index provides a listing and summary of all research material, and is available on our home page. In addition to our publications in English, many are also available in Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese or Spanish as well; to see our recent publications across all languages, click here.
You can more obtain information about Gen Re Online and our publication library through your Gen Re account executive or by emailing us at .
Issue: March, 2010Language: English
Author:
Chris Ball
Summary: Parkinsons Disease (PD) is the second most common degenerative brain disorder. This paper concentrates upon both the non-motor symptoms whose management can reduce the likelihood of claim or the length of claim and the recent research suggesting changing patterns of PD mortality.
Issue: March, 2010Language: English
Author:
Tad Montross
Summary: Over the past two decades, the insurance industry has seen the use of models increase dramatically. This creates a new management challenge -- understanding and managing all the models. This article comments on the models and how to manage them.
Issue: March, 2010Language: English
Summary: Contents: Guaranteed Acceptance Insurance - We've got it covered / New Zealand Trauma Investigation: A key finding / COMET Program 2010 - Protect Your Future / Gen Re's Upcoming Events
Issue: March, 2010Language: English
Authors:
Chris Ball,
Ian Cox,
John Ferguson,
Ana Paez,
Bernhard Wolters
Summary: Obesity - Treatment and Subsequent Risk Assessment / Critical Illness Reinstatement Products / Anti-Discrimination Law - The Portuguese Experience / What Does Risk Feel Like? Insights From Behavioural Economics - Part I / Inside Gen Re LifeHealth
Issue: March, 2010Language: English
Authors:
Philip Clay,
Charlie Kingdollar
Summary: This publication highlights emerging issues impacting Medical Professional Liability. This issue includes discussion on: systemic risk and patient safety, including radiation overdoses; jurisdictional issues in some states; hospital liability; and heathcare spending.
Issue: March, 2010Language: English
Authors:
Diane Brown,
Charlie Kingdollar
Summary: In this Workers' Comp. edition of Insurance Issues, we share our research on emerging issues and their unique impact on employer and their Workers' Compensation carriers. Imported drywall, Bisphenol-A and nanotechnology are highlighted. These emerging issues create hazards for many areas of construction and manufacturing.
Issue: March, 2010Language: English
Author:
John Gilbert
Summary: Sovereign debt quality has come into question, which is no surprise itself. The timing is, however. Before the issue is fully discounted in securities prices, prices will go lower.
Issue: March, 2010Language: English
Summary: Ensuring people return to work has long been the aim of insurance disability products such as Income Protection (IP). Recent changes in the Governments approach and recommendations from the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE), the independent body that offers national guidance to promote good health and treat ill health, have raised the profile of this issue.
Issue: February, 2010Language: English
Summary: This brochure explains "the Gen Re Difference". It's a broad overview of Gen Re -- financial security and stability, a wide range of reinsurance solutions, direct and unfiltered communication, underwriting expertise, claims support and fast claims payments, and research and publications. We're here for the long term.
Issue: February, 2010Language: English
Summary: News Summaries:
China: First civil law proceedings following the powdered milk scandal / EU: European Court of Justice overrules the European Commissions decision governing the reduction of permitted CO2 emissions in Poland and Estonia / EU/Belgium: Study into the application of General Equal Treatment Act with regard to financial services commissioned / Italy: First-ever class action aimed at banks / South Africa: New Consumer Protection Act signed / United Kingdom: Newly established Supreme Court assumes its duties / United Kingdom/Scotland: Law governing asbestos-related damage declared lawful / USA: Smoker awarded compensation of USD 300 million against Philip Morris
Issue: February, 2010Language: English
Author:
Michael Mugglebee
Summary: In this edition of Commercial Umbrella FYI, we focus on policy wordings developed to preclude multi-year stacking of limits in construction defect (CD) claims and how they are faring in court decisions. Gen Re Claim Executive Mike Mugglebee reviews the ISO and company forms in the market, and the court decisions determining how they applied to various CD claims.
Issue: February, 2010Language: English
Author:
Charlie Kingdollar
Summary: The Emerging Issues discipline has become increasingly important to insurers in just about every line of business. In this edition of Hazardous Times, we discuss best practices for emerging issues and review the learnings from a variety of significant exposures during the past two decades. Many of these issues and best practices are still relevant to what companies are writing today.
Issue: February, 2010Language: English
Summary: This brochure outlines the benefits of a Gen Re Property Fac Program. There is a separate flyer on Gen Re Connect, if applicable.
Issue: February, 2010Language: English
Authors:
Deborah Colantuoni,
Kenneth Doak
Summary: **Available as a PDF only. Hard copies are not available** -- This research survey, current through February 1, 2010, provides the state UM and UIM laws on limits, stacking, trigger, offset and umbrella coverage. Recent cases and legislation are highlighted, as well as pending state proposals that could alter the UM/UIM laws later in the year.
Issue: January, 2010Language: English
Summary: This index provides a listing of Risk Insights newsletter topics and articles produced during the last decade.
Issue: January, 2010Language: English
Summary: While Gen Re has provided COMET worldwide since 1998, this particular description addresses the Asian markets.
COMET consists of a comprehensive range of medical and non-medical training modules for the ongoing development of the industry's risk management personnel. The primary objective of this program is to provide each risk specialist with critical tools in ensuring that they practice sound and sustainable risk management methods. These methods enable the facilitation of efficient underwriting, claims and product management as interrelated aspects of risk management.
COMET's periodic workshops are divided into three sections, namely Underwriting, Claims and Financial Underwriting. There are altogether ten modules which include module MAP (Module of Anatomy and Physiology), Underwriting modules A1, A2, A3, B1 and B2 ; Claims modules 1, 2 and 3 as well as a Financial Underwriting module.
Issue: January, 2010Language: English
Summary: From the Gen Re General Liability and Umbrella Teams **Available as a PDF only. Hard copies are not available.**
Issue: January, 2010Language: English
Summary: From the Gen Re General Liability and Umbrella Teams **Available as a PDF only. Hard copies are not available.**
Issue: December, 2009Language: English
Authors:
Ian Cox,
Anne Gregory,
John-Henry Horn,
Inga Kreiensiek
Summary: Product Variety in Critical Illness / Critical Illness in South Africa / Critical Illness in the UK / Case Studies / Gen Re Claims Assessment Programme Module 3
Issue: December, 2009Language: English
Authors:
Frank Baer,
Roman Guschin,
Christian Schneider,
Luisa Corina Simion,
Elena Steflea,
Bernhard Balg,
Claudia Breuer,
Robert Ostermann-Myrau
Summary: Mitral Valve Prolapse / Bicuspid Aortic Valve / Atrial Fibrillation / The SCORE Risk Charts - A Critical Assessment / Heart Disease - Case Examples / Exceptional Sports in Brief - Shuttlecock and Skiking / A Look across the Fence - Underwriting in Russia / Certified Medical Underwriting Specialist (CII) - Graduation 2009 / Seminar Dates / Gen Re LifeHealth Market Representatives in Europe
Issue: December, 2009Language: English
Authors:
Charlie Kingdollar,
Mindy Pollack
Summary: This edition highlights emerging claims and law involving privacy and habitational risks. As usual, we also discuss developments on a variety of liability topics including Privacy, Internet and Security Breaches; Sexual Misconduct; Public Nuisance; Dramshop; Hotels; Contractors/Drywall; and Auto.
Issue: December, 2009Language: English
Authors:
Chris Ball,
Björn Borchmann,
Ian Cox,
Stephane Julien,
Andy Perkins,
Mary Ann Wilkinson
Summary: Life Insurance - Product Trends in the U.S. 10 Years After Y2K / Anti-Selection - Fact or Myth? Experience of a Guaranteed Issue Portfolio / Obesity - An Expanding Issue / Claims Visiting Services in the German Disability Insurance Sector - Observations on the Different Aspects of Conducting On-site Claims Investigations / Long Term Care Claims Management - Opportunities for Improvement / Inside Gen Re LifeHealth
Issue: December, 2009Language: English
Author:
John Gilbert
Summary: Regulation of the banking system is about to change, but the central problem is rooted in banking as a business, and in the nature of regulatory behavior. In the long run, the outcome of the current reregulation will only be to modify the shape of future financial crises.
Issue: December, 2009Language: English
Summary: The Australian COMET 2010 modules cover the major disciplines of underwriting, claims, medical and financial. These are offered as Core Workshops, the Elective Suite and the Correspondence Course.
Core Workshops are scheduled to run throughout the year for individuals wanting more certainty in planning their training and education activities in advance. They provide the basis for a good understanding of contemporary issues in order to competently and proficiently underwrite risks, manage claims and consider product design. They also cover a broad and comprehensive spectrum of medical issues pertinent to risk management.
The Elective Suite offerings are fully customizable and delivered on demand to match a company's situation, knowledge base, timing and venue preferences. Designed to fill gaps in individual knowledge, this suite covers specific medical, underwriting, claims and financial topics and addresses the more challenging issues in specific contexts faced by underwriters and claims professionals.
The Correspondence Course includes current issues in the world of life insurance by using case studies and their assessment analysis as examples. It consists of ReSearch and ReView. The ReSearch component requires the participant to read a selection of research papers from many sources, with comprehension tested via multiple choice responses. The ReView component consists of a number of case studies representing typical scenarios encountered in day-to-day risk assessment with questions designed to check understanding.
Issue: December, 2009Language: English
Author:
Mindy Pollack
Summary: From the Gen Re EPLI Team **Available as a PDF only. Hard copies are not available.**
Issue: December, 2009Language: English
Authors:
Douglas Clark,
Mindy Pollack
Summary: This edition highlights the recent coverage decisions involving self-defense and sexual misconduct, and the policy wording implications. We also highlight the new ISO "Green" endorsement for the Commercial Property Policy as well as coverage issues and wording solutions cutting across many lines of business.
Issue: December, 2009Language: English
Author:
Jim Bachman
Summary: Despite the tumult of the 2008 capital markets, most insurers' investments were not so severely impacted. The greatest sources of losses were equity holdings, a large portion due to affiliated company valuations. Fixed income write-downs, in particular as a percent of assets, were quite small. Of greater interest is mortality and annuity companies' fixed income durations continue to trail those of non-life companies.
Issue: December, 2009Language: English
Author:
John Gilbert
Summary: Focused Value Equity Management is a controlled risk approach to equity value investing. This discipline seeks to outperform the S&P 500 Stock Index (and respective peer groups) with less volatility over full market cycles, through a controlled risk process. Portfolios are constructed with comparable relative P/E, P/BV, and dividend yield relative to the S&P 500 Stock Index.
Issue: November, 2009Language: English
Summary: This issue includes a summary of results for JHA's 2009 Market Surveys for the group disability and group life; an article how the recession is affecting LTD; mortality imporement in group life and accidental death, and more.
Issue: November, 2009Language: English
Summary: In this issue we consider the risk of sudden cardiac death in elite athletes and explore the methods used to identify those at high risk.
Issue: November, 2009Language: English
Summary: This edition concentrates on osteoarthritis and osteoporosis, conditions that directly affect the mechanical supports of the body, the bones.
Issue: November, 2009Language: English
Authors:
Elizabeth Kramer,
Susan Watson
Summary: Commercial Umbrella Monitor provides in-depth articles on various exposures as well as brief updates on emerging issues. This issue focuses on CU Trends - Underwriting and Claims, Internet-related Liability Exposures, Construction Defects , Chinese Drywall and Nanotechnology Updates, and Auto UM and UIM.
Issue: November, 2009Language: English
Authors:
John Campbell,
Richard Santer
Summary: Insurers are often faced with a dilemma when selecting their reinsurance retention. This article addresses the retention decisions for non-catastrophe coverage.
Issue: November, 2009Language: English
Author:
John Gilbert
Summary: The banking system will contribute to financing the deficit, but are mainly intermediaries that recycle rising deposits. While this is constructive for funding reasons, deposits are likely to rise because household spending is below the levels of past recoveries, creating a circular problem for a government trying to simulate a conventional recovery.
Issue: November, 2009Language: English
Author:
Mindy Pollack
Summary: From the Gen Re EPLI Team **Available as a PDF only. Hard copies are not available.**
Issue: November, 2009Language: English
Author:
John Gilbert
Summary: Focused Value Equity Management is a controlled risk approach to equity value investing. This discipline seeks to outperform the S&P 500 Stock Index (and respective peer groups) with less volatility over full market cycles, through a controlled risk process. Portfolios are constructed with comparable relative P/E, P/BV, and dividend yield relative to the S&P 500 Stock Index.
Issue: November, 2009Language: English
Author:
Mindy Pollack
Summary: This edition of EPLI Monitor discusses EPLI in 2009 - Hot Product in a Cold Economy; Underwriting - Addressing Prior Acts; Q&A with Mike Soltis of Jackson Lewis LLP; Claims - Claims-Made Triggers and Late Notice; Forms - The 2010 ISO BP EPLI Endorsement; and New Employment Laws and Cases - Disability and Age Discrimination.
Issue: November, 2009Language: English
Author:
Mindy Pollack
Summary: This tri-fold brochure was created to promote Gen Re's EPLI line of business. The PDF attached is the "template" version of the brochure. Gen Re account executives can offer customization for clients, to help clients promote the line. The Gen Re account executive would work with MDS to do this. MDS will take the client's corporate logo, font and colors and change the design to match our client's look. With an email agreement of how the brochure will be used, MDS can either send the brochure's graphic files to our printer or one chosen by the client. Print costs are usually carried by the client, although the account executive may offer some assistance.
Issue: October, 2009Language: English
Authors:
Chris Ball,
Ross Campbell,
Jane Dorter,
Giovanni Fanizza,
Charlie Kingdollar,
Tad Montross,
Rick Rembisz,
Andres Webersinke
Summary: Click here for free access to our electronic flipbook version.
Contents: Lessons From the Global Credit Crisis / Facing the Aftermath of the Financial Crisis / Riding the Financial Downturn With Confidence / The Increasing Value of Basic Risk Selection Principles / Insuring Long Term Care Risk -The Coming Together of Cultures / States and Municipalities - Going Green / Future Liabilities From New Energy Technologies
Issue: October, 2009Language: English
Author:
Giovanni Fanizza
Summary: Extract from Topics Nr. 17 - The article discusses the effects of the Global Credit and Economic Crisis on insurance companies and the underwriting of LIfe, Property and Liabiliy lines of business. An introduction outlining the genesis and magnitude of the economic events of the last few years and its impact on insurance companies. This is followed by specific analysis of how the current economic situation will affect certain lines of business. Finally a roadmap for underwriters drawn from the lessons that can be learned from the crisis.
Issue: October, 2009Language: English
Author:
Rick Rembisz
Summary: Extract from Topics Nr. 17 - This article tries to shed light on some of the challenges that lie in store for the insurers of new energy technology industries, such as wind and solar energy, biofuels and hydrogen. The possibilities are nearly infinite. In each of these energy industries, there are a few intuitive business interruption and property damage exposures as well as some areas that generate additional discussions. It will take some time to see the entire picture clearly, and emerging issues may surface from areas previously deemed insignificant.
Issue: October, 2009Language: English
Authors:
Chris Ball,
Ross Campbell
Summary: Extract from Topics Nr. 17 - This article stresses the importance of bringing together the conceptual worlds of insurance underwriting and medical practice for the elderly to produce a robust risk assessment and claims management process. A major outcome has been the development of instruments that produce the right kind of information for the underwriter and the claims manager to undertake their work efficiently.
Issue: October, 2009Language: English
Author:
John Gilbert
Summary: The U.S. governments fiscal year ended in September, and the borrowing requirement that accompanied a $1.6 trillion deficit was in fact financed without noticeable upward pressure on interest rates. The reason, however, was that households made a large shift away from risky financial assets toward Treasury bonds as the markets deteriorated. Financing the expected $1.4 trillion deficit is another issue, however, without the stock market falling again.
Issue: October, 2009Language: English
Author:
Jane Dorter
Summary: Extract from Topics Nr. 17 - Australia's strong performance has continued in the midst of the current financial crisis, having so far avoided an economic recession that has affected many of its first world counterparts. No matter the depth of the economic downturn in Australia, its effects on Life insurance companies are still expected to be significant. The likely outcomes from increasing unemployment and decreasing invest-ment returns mean Life companies must prepare their risk practices, claims operations and underwriting processes to cope with the impact.
Issue: October, 2009Language: English
Author:
Charlie Kingdollar
Summary: Extract from Topics 17 - A growing number of states and municipalities across the U.S. are adopting green building programs including Energy Star, LEED and more. This article looks at a few approaches - from a large city to a small county.
Issue: October, 2009Language: English
Authors:
Ross Campbell,
Andres Webersinke
Summary: Extract from Topics Nr. 17 - Modern risk selection procedures must meet ever tightening standards. Pressure from legislators, regulators and the consumer lobby serves to tighten the focus of insurers on deploying appropriate underwriting standards. This article outlines the particular importance of full disclosure and discusses the positive role for all stakeholders of telephone and evidence-based underwriting.
Issue: October, 2009Language: English
Summary: News Summaries:
Canada: Bill limits thresholds for plasticizers (phthalates) in children's toys / EU: Introduction of a self-notification option for dangerous products / Italy: Admissibility of claims-made clauses in liability policies? / UK: No general adoption of class action lawsuits / House of Lords: Accountants not liable in case of fraud by the audited company / Product liability: Requirements for proof of causality in the event of faulty instructions / USA: Under a tobacco ruling, further reduction of damages to USD 13.8 m / US Supreme Court upholds lawsuit on grounds of reverse discrimination
Issue: October, 2009Language: English
Summary: In this issue we consider the potential implications on income protection of recent court cases relating to workers rights on sickness.
Issue: September, 2009Language: English
Summary: This edition looks at recent evidence concerning the frequency and burden of falls, the value of exercise programmes and the prediction of future falls.
Issue: September, 2009Language: English
Author:
Mindy Pollack
Summary: This Viewpoint provides marketing points, a cost outline and the benefits of Gen Re's risk management services that are available to EPLI clients.
Issue: September, 2009Language: English
Author:
Elizabeth Kramer
Summary: This Viewpoint highlights bad things can and do happen to good risks and discusses some of the exposures many Americans have that may put them at risk.
Issue: September, 2009Language: English
Authors:
Diane Brown,
Charlie Kingdollar
Summary: This Viewpoint highlights three emerging issues topics that may soon impact insurers - Obesity, MRSA and Nanotechnology - and discusses ways Workers' Comp. insurers can respond to these emerging trends.
Issue: September, 2009Language: English
Summary: What are the key issues for insurers confronted with claims relating to professional misconduct under disability insurance covers?;
The Gen Re Financial Consulting Service up-skills and assists claims and underwriting professionals in managing the financial exposures in life insurance contracts;
Count on Gen Re for reinsurance support on risks unusual in their size or characteristics;
Highlights of the 2009 Annual Seminar held in Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, Wellington
