
In addition, in order to manage the Syndicate’s exposure to
repeated catastrophic events (both man-made and natural
catastrophes), relevant policies frequently contain payment limits
to cap the maximum amount payable from these insured events
over the contract period. In the case of climate-exposed risks
specifically, the vast majority of underwriting contracts written
are annual in nature and thus can be revised frequently. This
flexibility is a key tool for managing the multi-decade challenge
of climate risks holistically.
The Syndicate also manages underwriting risk by purchasing
reinsurance. Reinsurance protection, such as excess of loss
cover, is purchased to mitigate the effect of catastrophes and
unexpected concentrations of risk. The scope and type of
reinsurance protection purchased may change depending on the
extent and competitiveness of cover available in the market. The
Syndicate is exposed to the risk that the reinsurance protection
that has been bought is inadequate or inappropriate, but this is
monitored and managed using modelling techniques, supervised
by a dedicated reinsurance purchase group. The specific
insurance risks accepted by the Syndicate are primarily specialty
lines, including Hiscox USA’s errors and omissions account,
written through Hiscox USA’s service company, Hiscox Inc.. This
business is written on a surplus lines basis. It also underwrites
smaller volumes of casualty and media, entertainment and
events where access to Lloyd’s licensing is required. The
Syndicate also considers climate change to be a cross-cutting
risk with potential to impact each existing risk type, rather than a
standalone risk. These specific categories are defined for risk
review purposes only, as each contains risks specific to the
nature of the cover provided. The following describes the policies
and procedures used to identify and measure the risks
associated with each individual category of business.
Casualty risks
The casualty underwriting strategy attempts to ensure that the
underwritten risks are well diversified in terms of type and amount of
potential hazard, industry and geography. However, the Syndicate’s
exposure is more focused towards professional, general, and
technological risks. Claims typically arise from incidents such as
errors and omissions attributed to the insured, professional
negligence and general liability losses which can be property
damage or bodily injury in nature. The provision of insurance to
cover allegations made against individuals acting in the course
of fiduciary or managerial responsibilities, including directors and
officers’ insurance, is one example of a casualty insurance risk.
The Syndicate’s casualty insurance contracts mainly experience
low-severity attritional losses. By nature, some casualty losses
may take longer to settle than other categories of business. In
addition, there is increased potential for accumulation in casualty
risk due to the growing complexity of business, technological
advances, and greater interconnectivity and interdependency
across the world due to globalisation.
The Syndicate’s pricing strategy for casualty insurance policies is
typically based on historical claim frequencies and average claim
severities, adjusted for inflation and extrapolated forwards to
incorporate projected changes in claims patterns. In determining
the price of each policy, an allowance is also made for
acquisition and administration expenses, reinsurance costs,
investment returns and the Syndicates’s cost of capital.
The market for cyber insurance is still a relatively immature one,
complicated by the fast-moving nature of the threat, as the world
becomes even more connected. The risks associated with cyber
insurance are multiplying in both diversity and scale, with
associated financial and reputational consequences of failing to
prepare for them. The Syndicate has focused its cyber expertise
on prevention, in addition to the more traditional recovery product.
(ii) Reserving risk
Reserving risk is defined as the risk that reserves set, in respect of
insurance claim losses, are ultimately insufficient to fully settle these
claims and associated expenses. This definition also applies to
reserves which have been set previously. The Syndicate’s
procedures for estimating the outstanding costs of settling insured
losses at the balance sheet date, including claims incurred but not
yet reported, are detailed in note 3(a). The Syndicate’s provision
estimates are subject to regular and rigorous review by senior
management from all areas of the business. The auditors provide an
external review of the reserves together with an independent
actuarial opinion. The final provision is approved by the HSL Board.
Similar to the underwriting risk detailed above, the Syndicate’s
reserve risks are well diversified. Short-tailed claims are
normally notified and settled within 12-to-24 months of the
insured event occurring. Those claims taking the longest time
to develop and settle typically relate to casualty risks, where
legal complexities occasionally develop regarding the insured’s
alleged omissions or negligence. The length of time required to
obtain definitive legal judgments and make eventual settlements
exposes the Syndicate to a degree of reserving risk in an
inflationary environment.
The final quantum for casualty claims may not be established
for many years after the event. A significant proportion of the
casualty insurance amounts reserved on the balance sheet may
not be expected to settle within 24 months of the balance sheet
date. Consequently, our approach is not to recognise favourable
experience in the early years of development in the reserving
process when setting the booked reserve.
In addressing the impact of inflation HSL focuses on:
•
regular case reserve reviews to ensure adequacy;
•
uplifts to incurred but not reported (IBNR) reserves to allow
for current and future expectations of high inflation rates;
•
assessment of rate increases against future inflation to
assess loss ratio impacts.
The Syndicate maintains explicit reserve uplifts to allow for the
impact of high inflation in recent years. Loss ratios are closely
monitored to ensure they include an appropriate allowance for
future inflation.
Booked reserves include a net margin of $38.4 million (2024:
$33.1 million), representing 7.5% (2024: 6.7%) of net booked
reserves. This is the margin above the best estimate to help
mitigate the uncertainty within the reserve estimates. As the best
estimate matures and becomes more certain, the management
margin is gradually released in line with the reserving policy.
The liabilities established could be significantly lower or higher
than the ultimate cost of settling the claims arising. This level
of uncertainty varies between the classes of business and
the nature of the risk being underwritten and can arise from
developments in case reserving for large losses and
catastrophes, or from changes in estimates of claims IBNR.
Hiscox Syndicate 3624
Notes to the accounts
Hiscox Syndicates 3624 Report and Accounts 2025
21