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Catastrophe Risk and the Implied Volatility Smile

Author

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  • Semir Ben Ammar

Abstract

Property–casualty insurers are exposed to rare but severe natural disasters. This article analyzes the relation between catastrophe risk and the implied volatility smile of insurance stock options. We find that the slope is significantly steeper compared to the rest of the economy and exhibits a seasonal pattern due to hurricanes. We are able to link the insurance‐specific tail risk component derived from options with the risk spread from catastrophe bonds and global economic losses caused by catastrophes. Our results provide an accurate, high‐frequency calculation for catastrophe risk linking the traditional derivatives market with insurance‐linked securities.

Suggested Citation

  • Semir Ben Ammar, 2020. "Catastrophe Risk and the Implied Volatility Smile," Journal of Risk & Insurance, The American Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 87(2), pages 381-405, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jrinsu:v:87:y:2020:i:2:p:381-405
    DOI: 10.1111/jori.12268
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Markus Herrmann & Martin Hibbeln, 2021. "Seasonality in catastrophe bonds and market‐implied catastrophe arrival frequencies," Journal of Risk & Insurance, The American Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 88(3), pages 785-818, September.
    3. Ftiti, Zied & Ben Ameur, Hachmi & Louhichi, Waël, 2021. "Does non-fundamental news related to COVID-19 matter for stock returns? Evidence from Shanghai stock market," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    4. Mathias S. Kruttli & Brigitte Roth Tran & Sumudu W. Watugala, 2019. "Pricing Poseidon: Extreme Weather Uncertainty and Firm Return Dynamics," Finance and Economics Discussion Series 2019-054, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (U.S.).
    5. Helmut Gründl & Danjela Guxha & Anastasia Kartasheva & Hato Schmeiser, 2021. "Insurability of pandemic risks," Journal of Risk & Insurance, The American Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 88(4), pages 863-902, December.

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