RMS Releases First Earthquake Model for India

Newark, Calif. – December 20, 2006 –  Risk Management Solutions (RMS), the world’s leading provider of products and services for the management of natural hazard risk, today announced the launch of the RMS® India Earthquake Model. Developed for use in the RiskLink® catastrophe modeling system, the Aggregate Loss Module (ALM®) was built in partnership with Aon Re Asia and RMS India, allowing access to detailed data on insured exposure, soil data, inventory, and local building standards.

“The continual growth and maturation of the Indian insurance industry, combined with the significant seismic hazard in the country, served as a call to action for RMS to expand on the model suite in Asia to include India,” said Domenico del Re, Asia Pacific model manager at RMS. “2007 represents a turning point in the property and casualty insurance market in India, as the tariff system previously in force is being lifted, opening the market to a new competitive environment.”

In the de-tariffed market, the use of Cat models will give companies a technical advantage in managing accumulation, setting pricing, and reporting solvency-margins. The RMS India Earthquake model will be key to this process.

The source model underlying the ALM Profiles contains nearly 100 seismic sources, subdivided into thousands of faults capable of generating over 40,000 different earthquake scenarios. ALM Profiles have been generated at CRESTA level countrywide, and at the more detailed district level in Maharashtra and Gujarat, where exposure and hazard are highest.

“We have been delighted to support the India Earthquake model developed by RMS,” said Dr. Mohan Sharma, head of catastrophe modeling & analytical services at Aon Re Asia. “This model has enabled Aon to establish a brand image that shows us as a technical broker, capable of providing added value services to insurers in India. In the last twelve months, many of our clients have found the modeling to be of great assistance.”

A Detailed Loss Module (DLM) intended for more refined modeling of individual locations, accounts, and portfolios will be included in version 7.0 of the RiskLink® and RiskBrowser® catastrophe modeling platforms, scheduled for release in spring 2007.