Pandemic risk: Impact, modeling, and transfer

Abstract

COVID-19 has proven that pandemic risk deems to the type of catastrophe risk that needs to be treated seriously, by both society and the insurance industry. A key element to measure, manage, and transfer pandemic risk is the modeling capability. This paper first reviews the insured loss from COVID-19 and the impact on the insurance industry. Then, current pandemic risk modeling capabilities and how insurance industry uses these models are evaluated. Some suggestions are made in terms of how these models can be improved in the future and how they can assist in insuring the pandemic risk. Finally, the nonmodeling elements of pandemic risk transfer and the government's role are discussed.