PCS: industry facing $18.75b loss

FRIDAY, JAN. 25: PCS has revised its loss estimate from Hurricane Sandy from $11 billion to $18.75 billion.

This represents a 70.45 per cent increase.

Property Claims Services, an independent company who investigates reported disasters and determines the extent and type of damage, dates of occurrence, and geographic areas affected, primarily within the US, have published a re-survey of their January 2013 initial loss estimate from affected insurers resulting from the events of Hurricane Sandy which began on October 23

The existing retrocessional reinsurance loss reserve provision that is included in the company’s Net Asset Value calculation is based on an insured industry loss of $20 billion. 

A press statement from CatCo said: “The board of directors remains of the opinion that there is no need to amend the existing retrocessional reinsurance loss reserve provision that is currently in place. Shareholders should note that this is a loss reserve, and not a crystalised loss, as CATCo-Re’s protections are based on the actual paid claims.

The majority of the company’s catastrophic property exposure is through Ultimate Net Loss contracts (“UNLs”) and therefore any losses that may be suffered by the company will be based on actual losses of the insured counterparties rather than industry loss triggers as is the case for Industry Loss Warranty contracts (“ILWs”).

“However, the magnitude of the industry insured losses provides a reasonable guide as to the expected level of UNL claims. PCS will conduct a re-survey in approximately 60 days following their new estimate and will update the loss estimate at that time with new data gained from affected insurers.

“It is the directors intention to update the company’s shareholders with any additional information when this information is released and whether side pocket investments are required prior to the year end.”

CATCo is a specialist investment management business based in Bermuda. It manages assets in various insurance-based instruments, including insurance-linked and other financial instruments, through collateralized reinsurance funds.

A regulatory announcenment said as of January 1, 2013, the Master Fund has deployed in excess of $2 billion of  collateralised retrocession reinsurance capacity.