Thought Leadership

Two years ago, the Axco Global Insurance Conference opened its doors for the first time. This was our first step into the world of events and, admittedly, a slightly nerve-wracking one. However, we felt confident that, with our privileged position of providing international insurance information up and down the value chain, we were perfectly suited to bring the global insurance community together.

by Axco Insurance Information

Every year, Axco’s Global Risk team looks at developing trends across the globe, which we believe will have a significant impact on our clients. This process brings together all of our risk analysts and incorporates feedback from other insurance specialists inside Axco.

by Axco Insurance Information

Every year, Axco’s Global Risk team looks at developing trends across the globe, which we believe will have a significant impact on our clients. At the half-way point of 2024, amid the volatile political and economic landscape they reflect on on their 2023 Annual Forecast in a Mid-Year Review.

by Axco Information

State involvement in the reinsurance sector is far from unprecedented. However, a growing trend in the face of Western sanctions is that the state is more than a backstop; it is the entire reinsurance industry. In 2016, in response to Western sanctions following the 2014 annexation of Crimea and intervention in the Donbas, the state-owned Russian National Reinsurance Company (RNRC) was formed.

by Patrick Grady

For the most part, rates and conditions were hardening in the Brazilian market throughout 2021 to 2023, especially within property and engineering. However, rates have been flat and softer in the 2024 renewals, but after the flood losses in Rio Grande do Sul, key market sources do not expect further softening to continue throughout the 2024 renewals.

by Axco

Parametric insurance, also known as index-based insurance, pays out claims based on predefined parameters. Common examples include rainfall levels, peak windspeeds and soil moisture. This type of insurance could be used to help close protection gaps across the world – with regulators playing an important role in its growth.

by Ali Smedley

When designing policies that address traditional challenges such as poverty, unemployment, or inequality, populations usually expect tangible outcomes in months or years. However, governments face two key issues when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions. Firstly, the environmental consequences of greenhouse gas emissions and their reduction are felt over a much larger time span. Secondly, global cooperation is necessary to tackle this issue, as the emissions of one nation affect every nation.

by George Smith

In the ten years since the declaration of its caliphate in 2014, Islamic State (IS) has lost the bulk of its territory, once spanning an area half the size of Great Britain, and seen its ability to mount sophisticated attacks on Western countries sharply diminished. Despite these setbacks, it has remained the world’s deadliest militant organisation, expanding into new countries and broadening its recruitment base, particularly in Africa, Central Asia and South Asia. The first six months of 2024 have been marked by a dramatic increase in both attempted and successful attacks by the group, alongside a renewed focus on targeting Europe.

by Huw Bufton

Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Client (KYC) considerations and regulations are becoming increasingly important in the modern multinational insurance environment. As regulator attention increases, and the risk of money laundering is on the rise due to increasing sanctions and conflicts, making sure you know your client and avoid fraud has never been more important.

by Axco

After the triumphant success of our inaugural conference and awards last year, we decided to up the ante. The outcome was the introduction of the Global Insurance Week, a unique platform dedicated to fostering learning, networking, and sharing of experience among the normally the disparate multinational insurance industry.

by Axco

Expected to put an end to the Conservative Party's 14 years in government, the Labour Party, led by Sir Keir Starmer, is forecasted by Axco’s risk analysts to win July’s UK General Election. With such a likely scenario of a Labour victory, it is worth examining how this could come about and what is at stake for the wider financial services and insurance industries.

by Charles Roth

Donald Trump currently faces four criminal cases that some speculate will lead to a conviction, potentially preventing the presumptive Republican nominee from becoming president once again. Legal manoeuvrings from all those involved have been intense and numerous, as much is on the line. US news channels and pundits could have you believe these trials will play a decisive role in November’s election, but simply put, Trump’s legal maelstrom is not what will decide who is president.

by Charles Roth

South Africa’s 2024 general election will be among the most significant in its democratic history. The African National Congress (ANC) has governed the country from a position of unassailable electoral strength since Nelson Mandella first led it to victory in 1994. Now, it’s on the brink of losing its majority in parliament. This would force President Cyril Ramaphosa to form the country’s first coalition government to stay in power, and his choice of political partner could have a significant impact on the country’s future direction.

by Huw Bufton