Basic Syllabus Program
In 2021, the IRUA introduced a “Basic Syllabus Program” aimed at those who have just entered or who have only a few years of experience in the industry. It is intended to be a “Reinsurance Primer Series” of twelve basic topics to be offered on a rolling 2 to 3- year cycle. The topics are marked with an asterisk* and are listed below in Green.
A Certificate will be awarded to those participants who complete 10 DIFFERENT SESSIONS of the 12 topics listed and you do not need to be with an IRUA member company to participate in the Certificate program.
JOINT EVENT WITH THE REINSURANCE UNDER40s GROUP: UPDATE ON CYBER - JANUARY 18
This is a first of its kind collaboration in New York City with the ReUnder40s Group and was held IN-PERSON at Munich Re’s New York office. A Cyber seminar featuring noted speakers was followed by a Happy Hour reception.
WALL STREET VIEW OF THE INSURANCE/REINSURANCE INDUSTRY – FEBRUARY 8
Seth Bair, Managing Director and Head of the Insurance Investment Banking Group at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods again provided his excellent and insightful annual update of the financial/ investment markets view of our industry.
CAT MODELING FOR UNDERWRITERS & BROKERS* - MARCH 21
Guy Carpenter’s Sarah Maciorowski, Vice President, North America Catastrophe Advisory and James Gazak, Assistant Vice President, North America Catastrophe Advisory, explained in detail what the components, acronyms and key metrics mean and how data drives modeling results. Different models – including for emerging risks - their output, were presented and how they can be interpreted and applied.
IRUA ANNUAL MEMBERS MEETING & CONFERENCE - APRIL 22 - 24
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood, Florida
After several years on the beach, our Annual Conference moved a little inland to a new and exciting location. The Conference Committee worked hard on planning a program with plenty of thought-provoking and informational technical sessions and panels as well as plenty of excellent networking opportunities at a great location. Feedback has been overwhelming!
POLITICAL VIOLENCE: INSIGHTS & IMPACTS – MAY 21
Political Violence varies widely in form, severity and practice. Protecting against the devastating effects of political violence, including strikes and terrorism, requires that businesses understand their insurance/reinsurance options. Alex Mican, Head of PCS Global Strategy and Growth at PCS, a Verisk business and Andre Wright, Product Development Manager expertly addressed the topic in detail.
CYBER UNDERWRITING UNMASKED* - JUNE 20
Our panel of cyber experts from across the value chain discussed and explained the development of cyber exposures from how it is recognized today to its continuing and ongoing evolution. Current challenges facing insurers, reinsurers and brokers were detailed along with possible market developments. Ho-Tay Ma of SCOR moderated a lively discussion featuring Hanumita Gupta, QBE North America; Brian Lewis, Lockton Re; Tatjana Loepker, SCOR and Courtney Mauge of NFP Insurance.
REINSURANCE ACCOUNTING FOR UNDERWRITERS & BROKERS * - AUGUST 6
U.S. Insurance and Reinsurance accounting is unique to the industry. In this session, Shaya Altschuller, CPA, Arch Re’s Corporate Controller, will provide a High-Level Annual Statement orientation and analytics and an explanation of the mechanics of insurance/reinsurance accounting including how and why Statutory Accounting Principles (SAP) – the Annual Statement- varies from Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). The differences between facultative and treaty accounting and how proportional and non-proportional business is accounted for will also be addressed.
ALL ABOUT REINSURANCE CONTRACTS* - SEPTEMBER 17
The types of reinsurance contracts – pro-rata and excess of loss - and the various articles which play important roles in the application of contracts to the insurance and reinsurance business are complex. Kortney Dick and Nicole L. Turner from BMS Re will guide you through the fundamentals of reinsurance contract wording, areas of focus as they pertain to key terms and conditions, and touch upon current trending topics. Ms. Dick is a Senior Vice President and Ms. Turner a Vice President in the Minneapolis area, Minnesota and Chicagoland, Illinois offices respectively.
CALIFORNIA PROPERTY – TURMOIL OR OPPORTUNITY? - OCTOBER 2
Kevin Stein, CEO and Co-Founder of Delos Insurance will reprise his excellent 2024 Conference session. Using patented AI wildfire risk models Delos, a California based MGA, is able to offer coverage to millions of low-risk homes that the industry had mis-categorized as high risk.
CASUALTY UNDERWRITING FOR NON-CASUALTY PROFESSIONALS* - OCTOBER 15
This Basic Syllabus webinar will present the underwriting process of casualty exposures to those who are new or relatively new to casualty underwriting. Non-underwriters will also benefit from this session. James Wilson, will once again cover the basic aspects of non-professional casualty lines; the submission requirements; underwriting process and timeline. Industry veteran Mr. Wilson is Senior Vice President/Senior Underwriter, Casualty at Partner Re US.
REINSURANCE CLAIMS AUDITS* - NOVEMBER 6
Our classic Reinsurance Audits session will again focus on practical and useful issues from a Reinsurer’s perspective. Frank DeMento, Esq. of Trans Re is an experienced industry professional for whom auditing is a significant part of his work and he will provide an up-to-the-minute expose of current practices.
Additional Webinars are Planned Including:
Artificial Intelligence & Several Hot Property, Casualty & Claims Sessions
2025 Events to Include!
WALL STREET VIEW OF THE INSURANCE/REINSURANCE INDUSTRY - JANUARY
Seth Bair, Managing Director and Head of the Insurance Investment Banking Group at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods
REINSURANCE CASUALTY UNDERWRITING AUDITS* - MARCH
IRUA ANNUAL MEMBERS MEETING & CONFERENCE – APRIL
Feedback was overwhelmingly positive from a record number of attendees!
ACTUARIAL PRINCIPLES FOR THE NON-ACTUARY* - MAY
Michael Schummer, ACAS MAAA, Senior VP and Casualty Team Lead at Munich Re America
REINSURANCE PROPERTY UNDERWRITING AUDITS* - JUNE
Christiane Gross, Senior VP & Property Underwriting Team Lead, Munich Re America & John Ferris, JC Ferris Advisors, Inc.
REINSURANCE STRUCTURES* - SEPTEMBER
Duane Hynes, Vice President, Holborn Corporation
REINSURANCE PROPERTY UNDERWRITING – THE BASICS* - SEPTEMBER
Christina Rutte, Property Treaty Underwriter, Munich Re in Munich, Germany and Matthew Doherty, Vice President and Property Treaty Underwriter, Partner Re US
THE U.S. AND WORLD REINSURANCE MARKETS* - OCTOBER
FOREVER CHEMICALS AND PFAS - NOVEMBER
Frank DeMento J.D., Vice President and Head of the US Custom, Latin American and Caribbean Claims Units, Trans Re