Everest Re Group announced the estimated impact from the Covid-19 pandemic on its first quarter 2020 results.
A spokesperson said, “Everest is providing details in advance of its full quarterly earnings to be released on May 6, 2020. As the situation surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic continues to evolve, our thoughts are with everyone who has been impacted around the globe. Everest remains committed to supporting our clients, communities, and trading partners. These are unprecedented times, and our first priority is the safety of our employees, business partners, other stakeholders and their families.
“Our entire organization has been working remotely, continuing to serve our customers with the same high level of service that they have come to expect. Our capital position remains a source of strength, with high quality invested assets, significant liquidity, low financial leverage, and a low operating expense ratio. Our diversified global platform with its broad mix of products, distribution and geography is resilient,” said Everest President & CEO Juan C. Andrade.
“For the first quarter of 2020, Everest expects to report the following:
1. “A combined ratio below 100% for the consolidated reinsurance and insurance operations.
“Included in the above combined ratio is an incurred but not reported [IBNR] provision for an estimate of $150 million in pre-tax net first party losses for expected claims related to the Pandemic. The majority of the losses are expected to come from our Reinsurance Segment. This estimate is consistent with our philosophy of recognizing and reacting to expected losses on a timely basis. As a result, this IBNR estimate is being recognized in the current quarter. Pandemic losses will be tracked separately and as an ongoing event.
2. “Net investment income of $148 million for the first quarter of 2020.
“Everest notes that net investment income from limited partnerships is generally subject to a reporting lag averaging one quarter. As such, the results from these investments during the first quarter of 2020 will be reported in the second quarter 2020 net investment income. Our balance sheet, including our investment portfolio, is well-diversified, with a focus on high quality fixed income investments. Since the start of the economic crisis, Everest has further repositioned our portfolio, moving up in fixed income credit quality and reducing equity exposure.
