In keeping with the theme of #2025AndAlive, the IIG Insights Sessions continue to deliver extremely valuable learning opportunities to the Insurance community. So far, the sessions have covered topics ranging from Aligning Insurer Expectations and Adjuster Practices to the Claims Ecosystem. We have covered The Strategic Data Acquisition Journey, Water Scarcity Risk and New Energy Vehicles. The year has seen 4 webinars, and 1 in-person event concluded and a full calendar of 2 events per month coming up until November 2025.
The IIG is continuing to meet the promise of elevating the learning experience for all attendees and ensuring relevant topics are covered, equipping participants with the valuable knowledge and insights that have become synonymous with the #YourIIG.
New Energy Vehicles: A Chinese Market Case Study
The most recent webinar hosted on the 18th of June 2025 saw 2 topics covered by speakers from Munich Re Africa. Jean Aymar Sahe & Tashia Bhogal spent an hour with the industry discussing A Chinese Market Case Study for New Energy vehicles, as well as Water Scarcity Risk and how these would impact various parts of the insurance ecosystem. When considering the current state of the South African New Energy Vehicles, a few key points were highlighted by Mr. Sahe regarding Pricing of the different vehicles, Range Anxiety relating to the availability of charging infrastructure and Technical Expertise covering themes related to scarcity of specialized workshops for repairs and parts. Another key observation mentioned during the webinar was regarding the size of market for these vehicles and the penetration of sales volumes for electric vehicles in the South African market.
Additional consideration was given to risk features of New Energy Vehicles (NEV) and the drivers of these risks, the impacts of premiums and loss experiences when reviewing the following factors:
- Regional Distribution – where these NEV’s are concentrated
- Driving Behaviours and Characteristics of Vehicle Owners
- Additional use-cases for these NEV’s for Ride-Hailing services
- New Technological functions
- Parts & Labour Costs
Final conclusions on this topic were focused on the impact throughout the insurance value chain for product coverage, pricing variables, claims management and the impact on reinsurance types and underwriting limits. Additional perspectives were also given on lessons learned and planning for this emerging technology and its impact on the insurance industry.
Water Scarcity Risk
The second part of the session focused on the emerging Water Scarcity risk and where this is rated on a global risk radar, specifically resulting from critical infrastructure failures, among other causes of this scarcity. Some factors were elevated as key contributors to this ever-present challenge, mainly:
- Population Growth
- Economic Development
- Shifts in patterns of Water Consumption
- Lack of data and tools available to support investments, and
- Climate Change.
Also mentioned when elaborating on climate change were the wildfire hazards in South Africa and an Increasing global temperature, and lastly a general point of feedback around the management of infrastructure.
The speaker also set out a definition for water scarcity, and the precursors to this risk being water stress and water shortages, and where water scarcity has multi-line impacts on insurance products for property, liability, agriculture, as well as Life & Health insurance. The balance of the session centered around the role of insurers, and their need to facilitate the creation of robust business continuity strategies and response plans, improve risk assessment models, diversifying of insurance products, manage possible exposures, assess the ability to respond to the risks raised by water scarcity once they materialize.
The session hit a record number of attendees with just under 1500 insurance professionals participating in this engaging session, highlighting the continued interest and value gained by members participating in the #IIG webinars.
With more sessions planned for the remainder of the year, the IIG invites you to stay close to social media platforms and look out for upcoming webinar event times and dates.
Nande Nqoloba | Head Operations South Africa – Swiss Re Corporate Solutions
