The COVID-19 pandemic triggered the perfect storm for insurers with not much of a precedent to reference from - Spanish Flu would be the closest match which was from the beginning of the 20th century. It has had far-reaching effects on many lives, businesses, and economies worldwide and continues to do so. From day one, the risk environment has been changing and shaping for insurers as the scientific understanding of the COVID-19 virus evolves, the development of medical responses (e.g. vaccinations) and the funding and response strategies by different governments around the world.

This presentation is intended as a pandemic risk profile review for an insurer in New Zealand (life, GI or health) which will be outlining the main uncertainties and risks being introduced as a result of the pandemic, the immediate and emerging adverse effects (e.g. financial losses from insurance policies) and an outline of potential response strategies for the management to consider.