S&P Global Ratings (S&P) has projected that GCC insurers will sustain underwriting profitability in 2026 at a similar level to that in 2025, despite the ongoing Middle East military confrontation.
Most rated insurers in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have sufficiently robust capital buffers to absorb a potential increase in capital market volatility and any war-related claims, as these are either heavily reinsured or subject to exclusion clauses, according to S&P Global Ratings (S&P) in a report on the credit outlook of GCC insurers in the wake of the military confrontation in the Middle East.
Middle East Insurance Review (MEIR), in solidarity with the insurance market, is rolling out a special series named "Middle East Conflict: The MEIR Dialogue" to discuss the insurance impact of the armed conflict across MENA and around the globe.
Middle East Insurance Review (MEIR), in solidarity with the insurance market, has started a special series named "Middle East Conflict: The MEIR Dialogue" to discuss the insurance impact of the armed confrontation across MENA as well as globally. MEIR kicks off the series with a video interview with Mr Yassir Albaharna, Group CEO of Trust International Insurance & Reinsurance Co (Trust Re).
The London market and global specialty insurers are considered to be the most directly exposed to the armd conflict in the Middle East through marine or aviation war, political violence, trade credit and energy lines, Fitch Ratings said.
Escalating hostilities in the Middle East have halted shipping transits, grounded flights across major regional hubs, and raised the risk of missile strikes on commercial infrastructure, increasing underwriting uncertainty across multiple insurance lines, said Mr Fareed Lutfi, Secretary-General of the Emirates Insurance Association.
Howden has announced leadership appointments and regional structure changes to better serve clients and insurer partners. According to a statement from the firm, these changes will more closely align expertise and shape the business to bring all of its growing capabilities and talent to clients across regional borders.
The first confirmed destructive cyber attack from an Iranian threat group against a major Western corporation has now occurred, according to a commentary released by Moody's.
The current geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are being closely monitored by the insurance industry across the region, says the Association of Lebanese Insurance Companies (ACAL).
The size of Korea's exposure to marine insurance risk has been estimated at around KRW1.7tn ($1.14tn), according to data submitted by the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) to a legislator, amidst concern arising from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz as a result of the Middle East war.