Owner Controlled Insurance Programs (OCIPs) are a type of insurance program that provides coverage for all parties involved in a construction project under a single policy.
Key Components
Project Owner Control: In an OCIP, the project owner or developer takes control of the insurance program and purchases a comprehensive insurance policy that covers all project-related risks.
Coverage for All Participants: OCIPs provide insurance coverage not only for the project owner but also for all contractors, subcontractors, and sometimes design professionals and suppliers involved in the project.
Comprehensive Coverage: The insurance policy typically covers a wide range of risks, including general liability, workers' compensation, builder's risk, professional liability, and sometimes even environmental liability.
Challenges
Administrative Complexity: Setting up and managing an OCIP can be administratively complex and time-consuming, requiring expertise in insurance procurement and risk management.
Coverage Gaps: While OCIPs aim to provide comprehensive coverage, there is still the potential for gaps in coverage or disputes over coverage terms.
Project-Specific: OCIPs are typically employed for large construction projects, and their feasibility may vary depending on the size and complexity of the project.
According to a Moody's Ratings survey, reinsurance buyers are showing a strong preference for catastrophe bonds, with over 80% expecting to use them in the coming year, marking the highest demand in four years. Sidecars are also expected to see elevated demand, while collateralized reinsurance remains attractive but slightly less preferred than the previous year. Despite the shift toward alternative capital markets, buyers still value long-term relationships with traditional reinsurers.
Fitch Ratings expects strong growth in the alternative reinsurance capital market, particularly for catastrophe bonds and other insurance-linked securities (ILS), into 2025, unless significant catastrophe losses occur in the second half of 2024. Investor demand remains high due to attractive returns and limited recent loss activity, with a growing interest in private ILS and collateralized reinsurance.
The insurance-linked securities (ILS) market set new records in the first half of 2024, driven by strong demand from investors and robust catastrophe bond issuance, with over $12.3 billion issued across 49 transactions. Despite heightened catastrophe activity and significant insured losses, the ILS market remained resilient, with minimal impact on outstanding bonds. Swiss Re notes that the cat bond market continues to offer attractive relative value, with strong returns reflecting sustained investor confidence.
Request a Risk Assessment today!