Reinsurance - today, it is Bermuda's life-blood.

Since 2005, Roger Crombie has written a review of the industry's year published by The Bottom Line Magazine in its annual Insurance Journal, which readers will find in their Hamilton area Royal Gazette.

Billion-dollar companies are now close to 40 strong in Bermuda, and because of the sheer number the Island is now home to some of the biggest names and people in the industry. As well, catastrophe bonds and sidecars became much bigger business in the past year.

The numbers and size of Bermuda's reinsurers are larger than ever, but which are the biggest? Roger Crombie lists the top 30 reinsurers, along with comments from their chief executives on their recent performance.

The big news of the year was the 'socialisation' of insurance in Florida, as high prices following the Atlantic storms of 2004 and 2005 motivated legislators to take over commercial insurance. In turn, other states began to follow suit.

The 2008 Insurance Journal covers every important development chronologically through the end of June 2007, including financial developments, as well as personnel moves.

Roger Crombie talks about the Reinsurance Journal in today's Royal Gazette online at www.theroyalgazette.com

For those who did not receive a copy of the Insurance Journal in their newspaper, contact Susan Simons at ssimons@crowncom.bm for free subscription information.