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The Impact of Mega‐Catastrophes on Insurers: An Exposure‐Based Analysis of the U.S. Homeowners’ Insurance Market

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  • Bjoern Hagendorff
  • Jens Hagendorff
  • Kevin Keasey

Abstract

Insurance is a key risk‐sharing mechanism that protects citizens and governments from the losses caused by natural catastrophes. Given the increase in the frequency and intensity of natural catastrophes over recent years, this article analyzes the performance effects of mega‐catastrophes for U.S. insurance firms using a measure of market expectations. Specifically, we analyze the share price losses of insurance firms in response to catastrophe events to ascertain whether mega‐catastrophes significantly damage the performance of insurers and whether different types of mega‐catastrophes have different impacts. The main message from our analysis is that the impact of mega‐catastrophes on insurers has not been too damaging. While the exact impact of catastrophes depends on the nature of the event and the degree of competition within the relevant insurance market (less competition allows insurers to recoup catastrophe losses through adjustments to premiums), our overall results suggest that U.S. insurance firms can adequately manage the risks and costs of mega‐catastrophes. From a public policy perspective, our results show that insurance provides a robust means of sharing catastrophe losses to help reduce the financial consequences of a catastrophe event.

Suggested Citation

  • Bjoern Hagendorff & Jens Hagendorff & Kevin Keasey, 2015. "The Impact of Mega‐Catastrophes on Insurers: An Exposure‐Based Analysis of the U.S. Homeowners’ Insurance Market," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 35(1), pages 157-173, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:riskan:v:35:y:2015:i:1:p:157-173
    DOI: 10.1111/risa.12252
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    Cited by:

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    2. Burnecki, Krzysztof & Giuricich, Mario Nicoló & Palmowski, Zbigniew, 2019. "Valuation of contingent convertible catastrophe bonds — The case for equity conversion," Insurance: Mathematics and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 238-254.
    3. Montero, José-María & Naimy, Viviane & Farraj, Nermeen Abi & El Khoury, Rim, 2024. "Natural disasters, stock price volatility in the property-liability insurance market and sustainability: An unexplored link," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    4. Bourdeau-Brien, Michael & Kryzanowski, Lawrence, 2019. "Municipal financing costs following disasters," Global Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 48-64.
    5. Liu, Tongxin & Shao, Jianfang & Wang, Xihui, 2022. "Funding allocations for disaster preparation considering catastrophe insurance," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    6. Daniel Castillo & Joseph Falzon, 2018. "An Analysis of the Impact of WannaCry Cyberattack on Cybersecurity Stock Returns," Review of Economics & Finance, Better Advances Press, Canada, vol. 13, pages 93-100, August.

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