Unprecedented uncertainty looms over insurers’ investment portfolios. Normally in times of market turbulence, there are data from previous crises that can help plot a course through but not this time.

The London insurance market is at the eye of the storm when it comes to major claims arising from the pandemic. From event cancellation through marine and aviation to the thorny issue of business interruption cover the sums being talked about run into hundreds of millions.

The Bank of England Prudential Regulation Authority has written to insurers clarifying how its advice to banks regarding IFRS 9, capital requirements and loan covenants impacts insurers’ internal assessments of loan creditworthiness and their treatment of unrated assets.

The mutual insurance sector is leading the way globally in showing the insurance industry how it should be responding to the Covid-19 pandemic, says Shaun Tarbuck, chief executive of ICMIF, the global federation representing co-operative and mutual insurers.

As the economic uncertainty accelerates and the fallout continues, markets begin to take comfort from the actions of policymakers, our latest weekly update contains fresh key data and insights to explain these trends.

The major ratings agencies have been busy revising their outlooks for the major financial sectors and for individual firms in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. They have been cautious in their re-assessments but some will make uncomfortable reading for insurers.