Insurers review business after US exit from Iran deal

ZURICH: Global insurers are taking stock of how the US withdrawal from an international agreement to deny Tehran nuclear weapons, and threatened sanctions against companies that do business with Iran, could affect them.

Insurance broker Arthur J. Gallagher said on Friday it will continue to monitor developments following the US withdrawal from the Iran deal, while Zurich-based Swiss Re said it is “assessing the impact” of the US decision on its business..

Arthur J. Gallagher (AJG), based in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, has British and Norwegian subsidiaries that have brokered insurance and advised clients on activities related to Iran’s oil and gas industry, as recently as the 2018 first quarter, according to a filing. Rebuffing appeals from France, Germany and Britain, US President Donald Trump withdrew the United States 10 days ago from the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six major powers designed to stall Iran’s nuclear weapons programme and ordered sanctions reimposed on Tehran.

The move has spurred global insurers and other companies to rethink their dealings in Iran as they await further guidance from the United States and European Union.

AJG subsidiaries have helped clients obtain insurance and reinsurance for a variety of activities in Iran. They include transporting oil and gas to and from Iran and operating vessels that provide support to offshore oil platforms that supply Iran with oil, according to the filing.

“Whatever the decision from the US administration, we will take appropriate action in compliance with all applicable laws as is our customary practice,” an AJG spokeswoman said.

On Tuesday, German insurer Allianz said it was preparing to wind down Iran-related business due to possible US sanctions.

“We are analysing our portfolio to identify Iran-related business,” an Allianz spokesman said in an e-mailed statement, calling it “totally minimal.”

Allianz is also “waiting for and will consider any guidance that the EU and the German government may provide,” he added.

“This analysis is ongoing and we are developing wind down plans for relevant business to ensure appropriate termination within the defined periods,” the spokesman said.

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