Chubb pegs $1.36bn COVID-19 pandemic losses for second quarter

Property/casualty insurer Chubb has estimated COVID-19 global pandemic losses of $1.365 billion pre-tax ($1.157 billion after tax) net of reinsurance for the second quarter of 2020.

71 percent of the COVID-19 estimate relates to the company's North America Commercial P&C Insurance segment and 28 percent to the Overseas General Insurance segment.

Chubb said the COVID-19 losses represent the company's "best estimate" of ultimate insurance losses resulting directly from the pandemic and consequent economic crises.

The company will reduce its net written premiums in the second quarter by approximately $184 million to reflect its estimate of the exposure adjustments on its in-force policies that have and will result from the impact of economic contraction.

Overall, the global net catastrophe loss estimates for the second quarter of 2020 are $1.807 billion pre-tax ($1.51 billion after tax). Natural catastrophe losses amount to $312 million pre-tax ($249 million after tax), primarily attributable to severe weather-related events in the US, as well as civil unrest-related losses in the US of $130 million pre-tax ($104 million after tax).

Separately, as part of its second quarter review of legacy exposures for molestation, the company expects to recognize unfavorable prior period development for US child molestation including reviver statute-related claims of $259 million pre-tax ($205 million after tax). The reserve development represents the company's best estimate of ultimate loss based on current information.

The COVID-19 pre-tax loss estimate comprises short-tail losses of $605 million generated primarily from entertainment and commercial property-related business interruption and accident and health (A&H) products including travel insurance products; losses of $553 million related to liability insurance products, including professional liability (directors and officers, employment practices, professional liability, etc.), workers' compensation and other liability-related products; and losses of $107 million related to insurance credit exposures including surety, political risk and trade credit.

Substantially all of the losses for liability and credit-related insurance products are classified as incurred but not reported (IBNR) reserves. The loss estimate also includes a $100 million IBNR provision to account for the additional uncertainty in the estimates around the company's property, casualty and credit-related exposures, given the unprecedented event. The COVID-19 estimate does not include a credit for potentially lower current accident year losses from a decrease in exposures, except for a modest benefit for certain casualty claims-made classes.

The catastrophe loss estimates are net of reinsurance, include reinstatement premiums and comprise losses generated from the company's commercial and personal property and casualty, A&H and life insurance businesses, as well as its reinsurance operations globally.