Recent revision to a cat model could result in double loss indications for some portfolios. But reinsurers may be able to absorb the model changes without huge increases because they already thought the models were coming in low.

An overview of how catastrophe models are used in the industry.

Catastrophe models have become so ingrained in the insurance industry that a model revision can have profound effects on all aspects of the business, especially when loss results for some books of business can double.

In the wake of a magnitude 9.0 earthquake that struck Japan on March 11, with insured-loss estimates reaching as high as $35 billion, analysts and rating agencies fell on either side of the debate about whether the event will cause a turn in the long-running soft-market cycle.

The global supply chain disruption as a result of the Japan earthquake can be immediately identified. Just type the phrase into your favorite search engine.

One of several insurance-related bills being mulled by Florida lawmakers would institute flex rating for some insurance lines.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon has approved an average 6.5 percent rate increase for the state’s last resort insurer, the Louisiana Dept. of Insurance confirmed.

A dozen more U.S. insurance and reinsurance companies observed by Fitch Ratings posted a combined ratio over 100 in 2010 compared to 2009.