Willis Japan Earthquake Response Center

Willis is closely monitoring the situation in Japan following the tragic earthquake that happened on March 11. Our priority as always is the safety of our Associates (who have all been accounted for), and the uninterrupted service of our clients.

On this page you will find all of our client communications on the impact of the Japanese quake and tsunami.

Willis Japan Office Status Update

All Willis staff in the Tokyo office and their families are safe and have been given the option of relocating to Kobe where Willis is setting up a second office. The Tokyo office will remain open and will operate in conjunction with the Kobe office that will be operational from March 21. Click here to read more.

Claims

Willis’ Client Advocates are fully prepared to respond to any needs or concerns that clients may have in connection with their business. Our Claims teams and our Placement executives are supporting them and we have established a Japan Earthquake Response Team to oversee any emerging market or claims issues. If you have a claim query or a renewal falling due over the next 90 days – regardless of whether you have any exposure to risks in Japan – you should contact your Client Advocate at Willis now to agree a strategy to ensure the best outcome.

Willis Communications on the Crisis

Willis Market Security: Japan Earthquake Update

It is still unclear what the impact of Tohoku will be on individual insurers and reinsurers, but this update from Willis' Market Security team outlines various factors and rating agency commentary applicable to the financial strength of the global reinsurance segment. Click here to read more...

Impact of the Japan Quake on the Energy Insurance Market

Willis looks at what the crisis might mean for the Energy insurance market in terms of reinsurance and losses. It also contrasts the current event with other catastrophes, highlighting common factors that may shape the upstream and downstream market dynamics. Click here to read more...

Joe Plumeri Bloomberg Video

Joe Plumeri was interviewed by Bloomberg TV on Willis response to the Japanese earthquake, the claims process and the potential impact on insurance rates.

Joe Plumeri Note

Willis’ Chairman and CEO writes to clients with advice on what to do if they have any queries with regards to Japan. Click here to read more...

Client Alert 1: Willis Analytics Event Response

Willis Analytics offers a scientific perspective on the cause of the Tohoku quake and provides detailed historical data comparing the quake and the tsunami to other catastrophes. Click here to read more...

Client Alert 2: A Breakdown of Japanese Earthquake Coverage

Willis says that insured Japanese earthquake losses will come from three distinct areas, each with their own policy form and conditions, namely: Japanese Domestic Non Life Companies, Japanese Mutual Companies and policies issued outside Japan by International Insurers covering Japanese exposures as part of a global program. Find out more about how Japanese Earthquake coverage is placed here.

Client Call

Joe Plumeri and Grahame Millwater hosted a call about the crisis with interested clients on Monday, March 14 which is available for replay here or by calling +1-866-476-5456 (Toll free) or +1-203-369-1523 (Toll) with the passcode: 31411.

Crisis Resources

British Embassy Tokyo

Nuclear Energy Institute

Centers for Disease Control

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

United States Department of Labour