Publications
Publications
- September 2004 (Revised January 2006)
- HBS Case Collection
Catastrophe Bonds at Swiss Re
Abstract
In 2002, Swiss Re, the world's second--largest insurance company, is considering securitizing parts of its risk portfolio in the capital markets. This would be a first for the company that, until then, had never transferred risk off its balance sheet. Peter Giessmann, head of the Retrocession Group, is considering catastrophe bonds as a way of transferring risk. "Cat bonds" are securities whose payments depend on the probability of a catastrophe occurring, such as an earthquake or hurricane. This case outlines the traditional reinsurance market and securitization efforts that have taken place in the past and then focuses on Swiss Re's decision as a sell-side participant in the cat bond market.
Keywords
Risk Management; Bonds; Natural Disasters; Insurance; Capital Markets; Banks and Banking; Banking Industry; Insurance Industry; Switzerland
Citation
Chacko, George C., Peter A. Hecht, Vincent Dessain, and Anders Sjoman. "Catastrophe Bonds at Swiss Re." Harvard Business School Case 205-006, September 2004. (Revised January 2006.)