Swiss Re issues $775M CAT bond — largest of 2020
The bond issued to the California Earthquake Authority also is the largest transformer structure in the ILS market's history.
Swiss Re Capital Markets announced on Oct. 23 that it has structured and placed a $775 million catastrophe bond, the largest issuance in 2020, to protect the California Earthquake Authority (CEA).
The bond of insurance-linked securities (ILS) by Ursa Re II Ltd is also the largest transformer structure in the history of the ILS market, according to Swiss Re, and intends to help underpin CEA’s claims-paying ability.
The CEA insures more than one million policyholders in California. Its customer base includes homeowners, mobile-home owners, condo-unit owners and renters. With this transaction, CEA is among the most prolific users of the capital markets with over $2.5 billion in outstanding bonds.
Since 1996, CEA has served to close the insurance gap for many Californians lacking proper earthquake coverage in their homeowners or renters policies. According to Swiss Re, only about 13% of Californians who purchase residential insurance also have earthquake protection.
Jonathan Isherwood, CEO Reinsurance Americas and Regional President at Swiss Re, says the company intends for this transaction to supports CEA’s ability to extend financial protection to a greater number of California residents who are highly exposed to earthquakes.
In announcing the details of this transaction, CEA entered into two reinsurance agreements with Swiss Re Capital Markets, who underwrote the transaction through two classes of principal-at-risk variable rate notes issued by Ursa Re II Ltd. Ursa Re II Ltd collateralized its liabilities under the retrocession agreements via the issuance of $425 million Class AA Notes and $350 million Class D Notes.
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