Five risk trends to watch in 2020

The range of risks facing company executives, as well as the resultant insurance claims scenarios, has increased significantly in recent years.

The range of risks facing company executives or directors and officers (D&Os), as well as the resultant insurance claims scenarios, has increased significantly in recent years.  Although it is estimated around US$15 billion worth of premiums are collected annually for D&O insurance the profitability of the sector has been challenged in recent years due to increasing competition, growth in the number of lawsuits and rising claims frequency and severity. 

With corporate management under the spotlight like never before, a new report by insurer Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) highlights five mega trends which will have significant risk implications for senior management in 2020 and beyond.  AGCS has seen double digit growth in the number of claims it has received over the past five years.

  • More litigation coming from “bad news”.  Scenarios include product problems, man-made disasters, environmental disasters, corruption and cyber-attacks.  These types of “event-driven” cases often result in significant securities or derivative claims from shareholders after the bad news causes a fall in share price or a regulatory investigation. Of the top 100 US securities fraud settlements ever, 59% are event-driven. There has also been a spike in claims resulting from the #metoo movement, where it is alleged D&Os allowed a toxic culture to take hold and endure within companies. 
  • Climate change litigation on the rise.  Failure to disclose climate change risks will increasingly result in litigation in future. Climate change cases have already been brought in at least 28 countries around the world to date with three-quarters of those cases filed in the US. There are an increasing number of cases alleging that companies have failed to adjust business practices in line with changing climate conditions. Environmental, social and governance (ESG) failings can cause brand values to plummet.  
  • Growth of securities class actions globally.  Securities class actions are growing globally as legal environments evolve.  AGCS has seen increasing receptivity of governments around the world to collective redress and class actions, particularly across Europe but also in other territories such as Thailand and Saudi Arabia.  At the same time the level of filing activity in the US has been at record highs in recent years with over 400 filings in both 2017 and 2018, almost double the average number of the preceding two decades.  This increased activity is impacting both US and foreign companies which have securities listed directly in the US. 
  • Bankruptcies and political challenges impact.  AGCS expects to see increased insolvencies which may potentially translate into D&O claims.  Business insolvencies rose in 2018 by more than 10% year-on-year, owing to a sharp surge of over 60% in China.  In 2019, business failures are set to rise for the third consecutive year by more than 6% year-on-year, with two out of three countries poised to post higher numbers of insolvencies than in 2018. 
  • Litigation funders spread across the world.  All of these mega trends are further fueled by litigation funding now becoming a global investment class, attracting investors hurt by years of low interest rates searching for higher returns.  Litigation funding reduces many of the entrance cost barriers for individuals wanting to seek compensation, although there is much debate around the remuneration model of this business.  Recently, many of the largest litigation funders have set up in Europe. Although the US accounts for roughly 40% of the market, followed by Australia and the UK, other areas are opening up, such as recent authorizations for litigation funding for arbitration cases in Singapore and Hong Kong.  India and parts of the Middle East are predicted to be future hotspots. 

The best maritime news and insights delivered to you.

subscribe maritime fairtrade

Here's what you can expect from us:

  • Event offers and discounts
  • News & key insights of the maritime industry
  • Expert analysis and opinions on corruption and more