The concept of disaster bonds: Overview of catastrophe bonds
Capital markets experience a number of risks that cause investors huge sums of cash. Catastrophe bonds (cat bonds) are a form of principal-at-risk debt securities issued by insurance companies to investors that allow direct transfer of low-frequency, high-sensitivity risk to capital markets. Traditionally, debt securities only allowed insurance companies to repay full principal amount upon maturity of the bond. The introduction of catastrophe bonds solved this situation. Upon the occurrence of one or more catastrophe event, the outstanding principal of the insured reduces. Examples of catastrophe events covered by this bond include natural disasters (earthquakes, hurricane), deaths caused by an outbreak ...