Even as Bermuda executives chatted up the Jan. 1, 2012 reinsurance pricing upside of catastrophe events and model changes recently, midyear 2011 renewal strategies varied widely along with opinions about where to bet reinsurance capital.

Theres a silver lining in every cloud, and for specialty insurers theres opportunity present in every emerging risk, two carrier executives say. Navigators Stanley Galanski and Aspens Mario Vitale see product opportunities in responding to emerging life sciences, environmental and supply-chain risks.

Theres a silver lining in every cloud, and for specialty insurers theres opportunity present in every emerging risk, two carrier executives say. Navigators Stanley Galanski and Aspens Mario Vitale see product opportunities in responding to emerging life sciences, environmental and supply-chain risks.

Highlighting the possibilities of unforeseen events, risk correlations and concentrations, and even reputational disasters potentially keystrokes away, the world is getting riskier, say two industry veteransWilliam R. Berkley and Patrick G. Ryan.

Underwriting and risk engineering experts give tips for insuring and securing vacant property, and also provide the insurance and risk definitions of vacant and idle properties.

Underwriting and risk engineering experts give tips for insuring and securing vacant property, and also provide the insurance and risk definitions of vacant and idle properties.

Copper thieves have fueled a huge spike in claims for insurers of vacant and idle properties, but increased loss potential has not deterred competition in the residential and commercial property markets, experts say.

Private-equity firms are still interested in acquiring specialty wholesalers and managing general underwriters, but they are up against some aggressive competitors offering higher deal prices—like 6- to 8-times EBITDA, consultants say.