Asia Pacific Natural Catastrophe Insurance

Features and key stories

Surreal storm cloud over a coastal city with a hanging tag reading “YES 65¢, NO 35¢, tomorrow priced today.

Japan direct GI premiums rise 4.6% in Q1 FY2026 as motor, fire, misc expand

Insured flood losses mount in Nepal, but economic damage could run into billions

Nepal flood kills 22 as insurers face hydro claims

Country-level cat models could open door to ASEAN risk pooling: AAC2026

Cyclist wearing a hat rides along a sunny street past a collapsed wooden building with rubble on the right .

Sydney skyline and Bondi Beach during a sunny day in Australia.

Sunset view of Sydney Harbour: the Opera House with the Harbour Bridge in the background over calm water, framed by green foliage on the sides.

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APAC insurers take 'wait and watch' approach to prediction markets

Insurers see prediction markets as a source of data and a possible hedging tool rather than a rival, but regulation, settlement and data integrity remain obstacles in APAC.

Japan direct GI premiums rise 4.6% in Q1 FY2026 as motor, fire lines expand

Direct premiums reached JPY2.87 trillion (US$17.98bn) in the April-June quarter, while claims paid increased at a slower rate of 2.3%.

Nepal's insured flood losses mount, but protection gap leaves billions in damage uncovered

Insurers have so far counted US$170m in preliminary claims, but the country may need up to US$5bn, or around 10% of GDP, to rebuild after the disaster.

Fatal Nepal flood leaves insurers facing hydropower claims

At least 177 have died and 826 are unaccounted for, with insurers estimating early claims for hydropower and construction projects at least in the hundreds of millions of rupees.

Country-level cat models could open door to ASEAN risk pooling: AAC2026

Layering portfolio data with granular hazard data will help close underwriting gaps, experts said.

Early estimate puts Kumamoto quake insured losses at US$3bn-4.5bn, ILS impact likely limited

Fund managers, brokers expect the loss to land below the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake, though aftershocks could still shift the picture.

Australia cyclone pool expands as insurer participation rises in home and SME

Higher insured values pushed up home and strata premiums, while cyclone risk pricing remained broadly stable across the pool.

APRA finalises reinsurance reforms easing access to alternative risk-transfer solutions

The reforms, set to take effect from 1 January 2027, expand the role of Appointed Actuaries and streamline regulatory approvals.

Heavy rains in central, southern China trigger 33,000 insurance claims, US$110m in estimated losses

China's insurers have paid or advanced 210m yuan (US$29m) to policyholders as the NFRA orders fast-track claims handling following floods and landslides across six regions.

Japan’s reinsurance market enters a spikier, more volatile phase

Deepening competition has brought faster, more pronounced underwriting cycles.

Australia cyclone pool average premiums rise in Q4 as strata jumps 11%

Annual premiums rose 4.4% year-on-year as Cyclone Alfred pushed incurred insurance losses to A$1.41bn.

ADB issues first catastrophe bonds

Two US$80m tranches will provide parametric disaster relief to the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan, with notes to be listed on the Singapore Exchange.

Stronger, steadier ILS market sets stage for Asia growth, but structural gaps remain

Record issuance and steady returns are drawing broader investor interest, but stronger data, transparency, ratings and regulatory confidence remain critical for Asia to scale participation.

SEADRIF eyes Philippines, regional infrastructure, and agri risk push in 2026

Regional risk pool prepares to launch Philippine parametric cover this year, while scaling ASEAN-wide pushes on infrastructure and agri protection

Australia GI results slump 88% in Q4 as householders, motor claims surge on storm losses

Widespread claims pressure erodes underwriting across the market, offset only by pockets of strength in D&O, travel and cyber.

Hong Kong extends ILS Scheme as 2026-27 budget targets emerging tech opportunities

The budget outlines support for new insurance solvency rules and greater disclosure standards, but focus on growth sectors—such as low-altitude aviation and autonomous vehicles—will bring new opportunities...

2025: Year in Review

This year has been marked by cautious optimism – though geopolitical uncertainty, nat cat worries, and falling rates created challenges.

Nat cat solutions evolve as insurers build the next phase of climate resilience in APAC

Insurers in Asia-Pacific are increasing their use of risk-mitigation incentives and advanced analytics as natural catastrophe losses rise across the region.

APAC’s cat bond market poised for growth as investors chase diversification

Portfolio managers see the potential for stronger sponsor activity heading into 2026.

Telling a better ILS story for APAC investors

Insurance-linked securities are on the rise in the region but still lagging Europe and the US. How can investors be convinced?