Concern about Multinational and Export Risk Growing for European Companies, Says ACE Research

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Over half of European companies (52%) believe that doing international business has become more risky over the last five years, and 95% say their own company has become more concerned about multinational and export risk over the same period, according to new research published by ACE Group today.

According to ACE’s research, the four key factors that have caused European companies to reassess their approach to multinational and export risk recently are disruption from catastrophes (42%), financial crises (38%), greater dependency on overseas earnings (37%), and international terrorist events (33%).

The research reveals that half of European companies feel either underprepared or completely unprepared to deal with multinational and export risk. When asked which particular areas they believe their multinational operations are most exposed to today, respondents highlight directors and officers (D&O) risk (46%), environmental risk (39%), reputational risk (38%) and liability risk (35%) as the top exposures.

Despite these concerns, only half of European businesses currently have a multinational insurance programme in place to cover their global risks. Overall, just 13% of companies believe they have an insurance programme that is well constructed for their multinational needs, with 50% of companies believing there are significant gaps in coverage and 41% saying there are significant gaps in compliance. When asked which areas of compliance concern them most, respondents identify local policy compliance (48%), claims settlements (40%) and consistency of coverage* (36%) as the top three issues.

Clive Hassett, Director of Multinational Services, ACE European Group, said:

“Since the onset of the global financial crisis, many businesses have increased their focus on growing overseas revenues at the same time as we have seen a sea-change in the global regulatory and compliance environment. So perhaps it isn’t surprising that nearly half European companies feel underprepared to deal with multinational risks.

More worryingly, 87% of European companies believe there are significant gaps in their current multinational insurance arrangements. With tax, regulatory and legal requirements varying widely from country to country, working with the right insurance partners to develop and implement a comprehensive, transparent and compliant multinational insurance programme has never been more important for globally-minded businesses.”

*Difference in Coverage (DIC)/ difference in limit (DIL) coverage.

Note to editors

ACE has conducted this research as part of a survey of over 600 European companies in UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Benelux. The six risk areas researched are: terrorism and political violence risk, environmental risk, multinational/ export risk, IT and cyber risk, directors’ and officers’ liability risk, and business travel risk. The research was carried out between: 13 / 04 / 2012 and 03 / 05 / 2012 by Opinion Matters who spoke to 606 Risk managers / CROs / CFOs / COOs / people responsible for buying insurance at companies with turnover of £500 million+.

About ACE:

The ACE Group is one of the world’s largest multiline property and casualty insurers. With operations in 53 countries, ACE provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. ACE Limited, the parent company of the ACE Group, is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: ACE) and is a component of the S&P 500 index.

Additional information can be found at: www.acegroup.com/eu