Montpelier Predicts Initial Losses

Yesterday, Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. (MRH) announced its preliminary loss estimates from the 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Chile, European Windstorm Xynthia and the Australian hailstorms.

Montpelier expects to incur pre-tax net losses of $75 million to $100 million from the earthquake in Chile. Additionally, the company estimates its combined pre-tax net losses from European Windstorm Xynthia and the Australian hailstorms to be less than $10 million. The estimates of Montpelier are net of reinstatement premiums.

Earlier this week, AXIS Capital Holdings Limited (AXS) also announced that it expects to incur net losses of $60 million to $125 million for the earthquake. In addition, AXIS Capital’s initial estimate of losses from the European Windstorm Xynthia ranges between $10 million and $20 million. The net loss estimates are provided on a pre-tax basis and net of reinstatement premiums.

Montpelier and AXIS Capital joins other reinsurers such as Everest Re Group Ltd. (RE) and PartnerRe Ltd. (PRE) who last week provided their preliminary loss estimates from these catastrophes. 

Everest Re expects to incur $225 million of losses for the earthquake in Chile and around $25 million from the European Windstorm Xynthia. Everest Re’s loss estimates are net of tax and reinstatement premiums.

PartnerRe also expects initial claims related to the earthquake in Chile to be around $220 million to $320 million on a pre-tax basis. Claims relating to Windstorm Xynthia are expected to be between $40−$70 million, pre-tax. PartnerRe’s loss estimates are net of reinstatement premium and retrocession.

Montpelier’s announcement of preliminary loss estimates came after the closing of the market yesterday. Prior to that, shares of the company were up 25 cents or 1.46% to $17.43 in Tuesday’s regular session on the New York Stock Exchange.

Read the full analyst report on MRH

Read the full analyst report on AXS

Read the full analyst report on RE

Read the full analyst report on PRE