The cost of rebuilding your premises or replacing equipment after a major incident may be more than you think. In fact, Marsh's Valuation Services Practice finds that about 20% of companies that perform regular valuations, or have an indexation scheme in place, are at least significantly underinsured, and about 10% are severely underinsured. These percentages grow to about 60% and 30% for firms that don't regularly review the insurable value of their assets. It is rare that Marsh's team finds that companies are significantly overinsured.

Underinsurance is a critical issue: post-loss it may even mean the difference between survival and failure. If you insure for the wrong amount you may not receive the full value of your loss if you have a claim.

Marsh has prepared this Adviser document to explain the impact of underinsurance, common calculation errors and the importance of professional valuations. For further information and assistance please contact your usual Marsh representative.

Access the report here.

The Global Risks 2013 report is produced by the World Economic Forum with support from Marsh & McLennan Companies and other partners. It is developed from an annual survey of over 1,000 experts from industry, government, academia and civil society who were asked to review a landscape of 50 global risks.

The global risk that respondents rated most likely to manifest over the next 10 years is severe income disparity, while the risk rated as having the highest impact if it were to manifest is major systemic financial failure. There are also two risks appearing in the top five of both impact and likelihood - chronic fiscal imbalances and water supply crisis.

Access the report here. (PDF, 9 MB)

Marsh is pleased to share with you our EMEA Insurance Market Report 2012.

2011 was one of the most costly on record, with insured catastrophe losses of more than US$100 billion. Insurance rates continued their upward trajectory for natural catastrophe and supply chain perils, but relatively benevolent market conditions still prevailed in the fourth quarter of 2011 across EMEA. Rate reductions were still achievable for those clients with attractive risks and a good loss history. The previously fierce competition among carriers for the more lucrative books of business has eased and excess capacity is less bountiful.

We anticipate little movement in the EMEA insurance market in the first half of 2012. However, Solvency II -- scheduled to be implemented in 2013 -- and the continuation of the euro crisis may influence the market to harden.

Your Marsh client executive and other members of the client service team welcome the opportunity to discuss with you the Report's insights and their specific implications for your organisation in greater depth. As is the case with all we do, the report is part of our commitment to helping your business thrive.

Read the EMEA Insurance Market Report 2012 [PDF, 3.2MB]

Against the backdrop of recent crises and continued economic uncertainty, Risk and the Boardroom Agenda considers some of the key risks that warrant board attention in 2011-2012, proposes some practical steps to be taken in terms of risk response, and provides a focus for organisations on the key issues pertinent in today’s business environment.

Access "Risk and the Boardroom Agenda" [PDF, 4.2MB]

Over the first half of 2011, the insurance market faced natural catastrophes, threats of political instability and legislative changes. This has led to the prospect of significant losses for insurers. As insurers look to recoup some of these liabilities through premium increases, clients face continued financial pressures in a time of ongoing economic uncertainty.

Whilst insurers are pushing for rate increases on almost all classes of business, excess capacity in the market is creating competition. This has enabled brokers to secure renewals as per the expiring premium, or even at a discount. At the same time, clients are looking to reduce their insurance premiums as part of their overall efforts to reduce costs. This is putting additional pressure on their brokers and the wider market.

Access the EMEA Insurance Market Report