BEST’S COMMENTARY: HONG KONG FIRE EXPECTED TO BE CREDIT NEGATIVE FOR (RE)INSURERS

HONG KONG, Dec 2 (Bernama) -- AM Best expects a material portion of the gross incurred loss in the deadly Hong Kong apartment fire to be transferred to reinsurers, which may halt downward pressure on Hong Kong property reinsurance rates amid a global reinsurance softening backdrop.

In its Best’s Commentary, “Hong Kong Fire Expected to be Credit Negative for (Re)Insurers,” AM Best states that residential property all-risk policies have been viewed as low-severity exposures by Hong Kong insurers. However, this event highlights the potential for risk accumulation in high-rise condominiums within a densely populated city. The Hong Kong fire loss is expected to be significant, involving multiple lines of business, including property, engineering, public liability, third-party liability, employee compensation, personal accident, motor and life insurance. Property losses are anticipated to dominate general insurance claims, underscoring significant protection gaps in public liability, third-party liability, and professional indemnity coverage.