Insurers count cost of Sydney storm; IAG calculates reinsurers’ share

Australian insurers have started estimating the likely cost of the hailstorms that hit the East Coast on February 18.

IAG said it had received over 20,000 claims from the hailstorm and Suncorp around 7,000.

Stressing that there remains a degree of uncertainty as to the ultimate outcome with claims continuing to be received, IAG said it expects the net claim cost from the hailstorm will be around A$160 million.

After allowance for reinsurance, IAG’s maximum possible net exposure to this event is A$200 million, it said.

Suncorp has not yet estimated what the 7,000 claims it has received so far might cost it.

IAG’s financial year-to-date net claim cost from natural peril events is estimated to be around A$650 million as at the end of February 2017, it said. This would include A$420 million for the six months ended 31 December 2016; approximately A$70 million from events in January and February 2017, excluding the hailstorm; and around A$160 million from the Northern Sydney hailstorm.

IAG’s FY17 natural perils allowance is A$680 million, which effectively extends to A$776 million through an FY17-specific natural perils cover of A$96 million of protection immediately above A$680 million. All amounts are expressed on a post-quota share basis.

This means IAG can absorb approximately A$130 million of net natural peril claim costs in the final four months of the financial year to remain within the assumptions built into its FY17 reported insurance margin guidance of 12.5-14.5 percent, which is unchanged.

IAG stressed that it retains strong catastrophe reinsurance cover for the balance of calendar year 2017. On a post-quota share basis, IAG’s catastrophe cover consists of: a main catastrophe cover, including one prepaid reinstatement, under which IAG retains the first A$200 million of each loss; and an aggregate sideways cover which provides protection of A$380 million excess of A$260 million, with qualifying events capped at a maximum contribution of A$180 million excess of A$20 million per event.

Based on an estimated cost of A$160 million for the hailstorm event and the combination of covers in place, IAG’s maximum exposure for the next event is A$140 million.

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