Global re-insurer Swiss Re feels that there is unlikely to be a significant impact on the property and casualty insurance industry as a result of the ‘nuclear incident' at the Tsunami-hit Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan.
In a release posted in its website, Swiss Re says “generally, coverage for nuclear facilities in Japan excludes earthquake shock, fire following earthquake and tsunami, both in terms of physical damage and liability.” It further says, “coverage for property policies excludes nuclear contamination.” “Overall,” it claims, “there is unlikely to be a significant impact on the property and casualty insurance industry as a result of this nuclear incident.”
The release says that Swiss Re is committed to the Japanese insurance market and to supporting the country's recovery from the devastating earthquake and tsunami, which has claimed many lives. “We are deeply sympathetic to all those who suffered from the disastrous earthquake and tsunami in Japan,” the release quotes Swiss Re Chief Executive Stefan Lippe as saying. “Our role is to support the Japanese people in quickly recovering from this unprecedented and tragic event. Swiss Re Group remains wholly committed to continuing to provide capacity to the Japanese market and maintaining our strong relationships with clients,” the release further quotes him as saying.
The circumstances in Japan are particularly complex since damage to property was not only caused by the earthquake itself but also by fire following the earthquake and the ensuing tsunami. In terms of residential insurance policies, the cover for earthquake shock and tsunami are provided by a government-run scheme.
This cover is typically not re-insured in the private market. Cover for fire following earthquake is provided by primary insurers and is typically protected by their re-insurance coverage.
For commercial and industrial insurance policies, cover is sold in the private market and is widely purchased for earthquake, fire following earthquake and tsunami.
Swiss Re is currently evaluating its exposure to the event, says the release. Given the nature of the destruction, it will take some time to estimate the damage, the release adds.
