Insurance-linked investments

Ambac Financial Group, Inc. has launched a new program and fronting focused specialty insurance company named Everspan Group and targets participatory fronting and transformation for select risks, with the insurance-linked securities (ILS) market a potential reinsurance capacity partner it seems.

Vesttoo, a technology firm that uses proprietary artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions with the goal of helping companies assess and transfer risks to the capital markets, has secured a new equity investment from Silicon Valley specialist venture platform Plug and Play.

Hudson Structured Capital Management Ltd., the insurance-linked securities (ILS), reinsurance, insurtech and transportation- focused investment manager, has refinanced its initial start-up obligations with diversified investor Eldridge, as it secures backing for future growth.

The utilisation of a rated balance-sheet by an ILS fund manager can help “to smooth out” some elements for insurance-linked securities (ILS) investors, says Michael Stahel, Partner at LGT ILS Partners.

Kilter Finance, the insurance-focused specialty financing company launched by ex-Leadenhall Capital alumni Dan Knipe and backed by private equity giant KKR, is set to invest $89 million into Independent Insurance Group LLC , the parent of life insurer Independent Life.

Today, there’s a significant amount of capital looking to be deployed in an environmental, social, and governance (ESG) friendly way, which represents a material opportunity for the insurance-linked securities (ILS) asset class, says Barney Schauble, Head of Labs at Nephila Advisors.

Strategic Risk Solutions, Inc., a provider of insurance, reinsurance and captive management and consulting services, has announced the launch of an office in Guernsey as it looks to expand its insurance, reinsurance and insurance-linked securities (ILS) activities in Europe.

Global reinsurance firm Swiss Re has increased the alternative reinsurance capital assets under management in a range of insurance-linked securities (ILS) structures to $2.8 billion, with the recently launched 1863 Fund one area of the business to benefit.

Beazley, the Lloyd’s market focused specialist insurance and reinsurance underwriter, fell to a $50.4 million loss for 2020, with a combined ratio of 109%, but targets a more profitable year in 2021 with no additions to its COVID-19 pandemic claims in the fourth-quarter.

Lodgepine Capital Management Limited, the retrocessional reinsurance ILS fund management unit of Markel Corporation, had a “terrific” year in 2020, delivering double-digit returns on its portfolio which largely avoided any loss impacts during the period.