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An empirical assessment of reinsurance risk

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  • van Lelyveld, Iman
  • Liedorp, Franka
  • Kampman, Manuel

Abstract

We analyse the effect of failing reinsurance cover on the stability of Dutch insurers. As insurers often reinsure themselves with other (re)insurers, a firm's loss could spread contagiously through the sector. Using a unique and confidential data set on reinsurance exposures, we gain insight into the reinsurance market structure and perform a scenario analysis to measure contagion risks. Considering entities on a standalone basis, we find no evidence of systemic risk in the Netherlands, even if multiple reinsurance companies fail simultaneously. At group level our analysis points to the contagion risk of in-house reinsurance structures, given that such in-house reinsurance parties are generally not higher capitalised than other group members.

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  • van Lelyveld, Iman & Liedorp, Franka & Kampman, Manuel, 2011. "An empirical assessment of reinsurance risk," Journal of Financial Stability, Elsevier, vol. 7(4), pages 191-203, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finsta:v:7:y:2011:i:4:p:191-203
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    Cited by:

    1. Eling, Martin & Pankoke, David, 2012. "Systemic Risk in the Insurance Sector – What Do We Know?," Working Papers on Finance 1222, University of St. Gallen, School of Finance.
    2. Bierth, Christopher & Irresberger, Felix & Weiß, Gregor N.F., 2015. "Systemic risk of insurers around the globe," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 232-245.
    3. Hua Chen & J. David Cummins & Tao Sun & Mary A. Weiss, 2020. "The Reinsurance Network Among U.S. Property–Casualty Insurers: Microstructure, Insolvency Risk, and Contagion," Journal of Risk & Insurance, The American Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 87(2), pages 253-284, June.
    4. Felix Irresberger & Christopher Bierth & Gregor N.F. Weiß, 2017. "Size is everything: Explaining SIFI designations," Review of Financial Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 32(1), pages 7-19, January.
    5. Olufemi Adebowale Abass, 2019. "Empirical Analysis of Reinsurance Dependence on the Profitability of General Insurance Business in Nigeria," Academic Journal of Economic Studies, Faculty of Finance, Banking and Accountancy Bucharest,"Dimitrie Cantemir" Christian University Bucharest, vol. 5(4), pages 36-43, December.
    6. Anna Paulson & Richard Rosen, 2016. "The Life Insurance Industry and Systemic Risk: A Bond Market Perspective," Annual Review of Financial Economics, Annual Reviews, vol. 8(1), pages 155-174, October.
    7. Pierre-Emmanuel Darpeix, 2015. "Systemic risk and insurance," Working Papers halshs-01227969, HAL.
    8. Eling, Martin & Jia, Ruo, 2018. "Business failure, efficiency, and volatility: Evidence from the European insurance industry," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 58-76.
    9. Irresberger, Felix & Bierth, Christopher & Weiß, Gregor N.F., 2017. "Size is everything: Explaining SIFI designations," Review of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 32(C), pages 7-19.
    10. Matt Davison & Darrell Leadbetter & Bin Lu & Jane Voll, 2016. "Are Counterparty Arrangements in Reinsurance a Threat to Financial Stability?," Staff Working Papers 16-39, Bank of Canada.
    11. O. de Bandt & J.-C. Héam & C. Labonne & S. Tavolaro, 2013. "Measuring Systemic Risk in a Post-Crisis World," Débats économiques et financiers 6, Banque de France.
    12. Martin Eling & David Antonius Pankoke, 2016. "Systemic Risk in the Insurance Sector: A Review and Directions for Future Research," Risk Management and Insurance Review, American Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 19(2), pages 249-284, September.
    13. Kotlicki, Artur & Austin, Andrea & Humphry, David & Burnett, Hanna & Ridgill, Philip & Smith, Sam, 2023. "Network analysis of the UK reinsurance market," Bank of England working papers 1000, Bank of England.
    14. in ’t Veld, Daan & van Lelyveld, Iman, 2014. "Finding the core: Network structure in interbank markets," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 27-40.
    15. de França Carvalho, João Vinícius & Guimarães, Acássio Silva, 2024. "Systemic risk assessment using complex networks approach: Evidence from the Brazilian (re)insurance market," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 67(PA).
    16. Weiß, Gregor N.F. & Mühlnickel, Janina, 2014. "Why do some insurers become systemically relevant?," Journal of Financial Stability, Elsevier, vol. 13(C), pages 95-117.
    17. Pierre-Emmanuel Darpeix, 2015. "Systemic risk and insurance," PSE Working Papers halshs-01227969, HAL.
    18. Y. A. Oyetayo & O. A. Abass, 2020. "Underwriting Capacity and Financial Performance on Non-Life Insurance Companies in Nigeria," Academic Journal of Economic Studies, Faculty of Finance, Banking and Accountancy Bucharest,"Dimitrie Cantemir" Christian University Bucharest, vol. 6(2), pages 73-80, June.

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    Reinsurance Contagion Simulation;

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