Compre Group Holdings Limited has agreed to assume a material portfolio of asbestos liabilities from Amerisure, in a transaction that reflects demand for legacy reserve solutions in the reinsurance market.
The agreement involves the transfer of a material block of legacy reserves tied to asbestos exposures. Under its terms, Compre will take responsibility for the identified liabilities, including the management and administration of all associated claims.
The transaction comes at a time when asbestos liabilities continue to present uncertainty for insurers. An S&P Global Market Intelligence report, published in November 2025, found that net incurred asbestos losses rose nearly 29% in 2024, reaching $1.27 billion, even as industry reserves declined to $12.37 billion.
The same report noted that calendar-year payments increased to $1.49 billion, indicating that insurers are paying out more than previously anticipated while maintaining a downward trajectory in reserves. It added that this divergence points to pressure on long-standing reserve assumptions and ongoing volatility in asbestos exposures.
Separate analysis published by NERA Economics in July 2025 showed that while overall claim filings remain near long-term lows, the cost per claim continues to rise. The study reported a 12% increase in dollars per claim in 2024, marking the seventh consecutive annual increase and a cumulative rise of 191% since 2017.
For Amerisure, the transaction addresses legacy asbestos exposure and reallocates internal resources.
“This agreement is a proactive step to resolve legacy asbestos exposure, reduce future volatility, and further enhance our long term financial strength. With this action, Amerisure can further focus our capital, leadership, and operational efforts on continued delivery of industry-leading service supporting our agents and policyholders,” said Chris Spaude, chief financial officer at Amerisure.
The structure of the deal transfers both liabilities and claims management responsibilities, aligning with broader efforts by insurers to manage long-tail risks through external arrangements.
“We are proud to deliver a solution that creates tangible capital and operational benefits for our clients. Asbestos liabilities require specialist expertise and long-term commitment. This transaction demonstrates our disciplined underwriting approach and ability to structure solutions that provide certainty, stability and efficiency for our partners,” Rachel Bardon, chief underwriting officer at Compre Group.
The deal follows other transactions involving Compre in the legacy segment. In May 2025, the group completed an insurance business transfer of European casualty and motor liabilities from Ethias, Belgium’s third-largest insurer, according to company disclosures. That transaction followed a 2023 loss portfolio transfer covering approximately €140 million of reserves across the European Union.
These transactions illustrate continued use of structured solutions to address legacy exposures across multiple jurisdictions, with regulatory approvals required in several European markets for the Ethias transfer.
