New Lloyd’s of London syndicate to insure COVID-19 vaccine delivery

Lloyd's of London has granted in principle approval to new specialised 'syndicate in a box', Syndicate 1796, set up to insure the storage and transportation of a COVID-19 vaccine once developed to emerging economies.

Syndicate 1796 has been developed by Parsyl, an insurtech company and Lloyd’s Lab alumni, in partnership with Ascot as managing agent, and in cooperation with AXAL XL, McGill and Partners and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

The creation of a public-private syndicate to address a global health emergency is the first in Lloyd’s 330-year history.

The specialised syndicate forms the foundation of the new Global Health Risk Facility (GHRF) at Lloyd’s, which aims to provide comprehensive insurance and risk mitigation services to support the manufacturing and distribution of COVID-19 vaccine development efforts. It aims to start writing business from October 1, 2020.

The GHRF will offer ‘All Risk’ cargo coverage for transit and storage risks on all global health products related to COVID-19 and any other infectious disease control and prevention programmes.

Led by Ascot, the GHRF will take a portfolio approach, focusing primarily on global distribution of products to low income countries supported by global public health agencies, such as Gavi, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, PEPFAR and UNICEF.

The GHRF will also offer coverage via direct insurance or reinsurance, for in-country distribution risks to ensure vaccines and other commodities are protected as they are stored in central warehouses and travel through health systems. Eligible insureds will include private manufacturers, procurement agents, logistics companies, Ministries of Health and other public agencies supporting the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and other lifesaving products to low income countries.

John Neal, CEO, Lloyd’s of London, said: “There is broad consensus that life can only return to normality after a vaccine is developed, distributed and administered around the world. Lloyd’s has an important role to play in insuring the many risks associated with this global medical response and we are delighted to approve a new innovative syndicate that will provide effective cover for local vaccine distribution supply chains. This unique partnership is a real demonstration of the value and ingenuity the Lloyd’s market can bring to help address a global health emergency, as we share risk to support the brave efforts of those racing to develop and distribute a COVID-19 vaccine.”

Ben Hubbard, CEO of Parsyl, said: “We’ve seen Lloyd’s stand behind risks to some of the world’s greatest achievements and innovations. We asked, why not find a way to stand behind the largest vaccine campaign in human history. The Global Health Risk Facility will do this by sharing risk and leveraging new data to unlock insurance solutions for high stakes vaccine distributions around the world.”

Andrew Brooks, CEO of Ascot Group, commented: “The GHRF is an excellent example of how the insurance industry is addressing previously uninsured risks. Ascot and the wider insurance market has the underwriting expertise, but to put together a facility such as this requires syndication, infrastructure and market collaboration which Lloyd’s is uniquely placed to deliver. Such a facility is enabled by high quality new entrants such as Parsyl who have the ideas, technology and data to deliver this positive humanitarian solution.”

Steve McGill, CEO of McGill and Partners, said: “We are proud to support this critical initiative and be part of the largest movement of medical vaccines in history. At McGill and Partners, we are delighted to have worked on this audacious venture that combines innovative insurance and data and technology driven solutions to help dramatically improve supply chains and ultimately save lives.”

Sean McGovern, CEO of AXA XL UK, stated: “The Covid-19 crisis has escalated the need to improve the already challenging global distribution of vaccines. By sharing data and through innovative risk mitigation, this facility will play a crucial role in ensuring that vaccines travel safely through the global supply chain to all corners of the world. This is another example of the insurance industry working in a public private partnership to address critical public health issues. AXA XL, in line with AXA Group's commitment to contribute to the equitable distribution of vaccines, is proud to be a part this initiative.”

Seth Berkeley, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance said: "We are focused today on making a Covid-19 vaccine available. But we have an equal challenge in distributing it. Whether it’s a Covid-19 vaccine or routine childhood immunizations, these life saving products are put at risk as they travel thousands of miles across the world to reach remote communities in Africa and Asia. Protecting vaccine investments saves lives. That’s why this unique partnership is so important because it will provide a combination of coverage, incentives and data that can both prevent losses from happening and provide protection if they do.”