Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
    • Business Bites
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • Videos
  • Career & Education
  • Classifieds
  • All Woman
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Design Week
IronRock settles most Melissa claims
IronRock has settled most of its Hurricane Melissa-related claims. (Photo: Napthali Junior)
Business
BY DAVID ROSE Observer business writer davidr@jamaicaobserver.com  
August 5, 2026

IronRock settles most Melissa claims

The general insurer told investors at its June 23 annual general meeting (AGM) that it had settled and closed 78 per cent of the claims arising from Hurricane Melissa. Since then, it has settled additional claims, taking its settlement rate to more than 87 per cent, and made settlement offers on a further eight per cent of hurricane-related claims.

“Accordingly, the company has substantially concluded approximately 95 per cent of Hurricane Melissa claims for policies where IronRock is the sole or lead insurer by 31 July 2026, achieving this milestone approximately two months ahead of schedule,” the company said in its second-quarter report for the six months ended June 30.

IronRock indicated that its overall settlement rate across all Hurricane Melissa-related claims was 56 per cent as at May 31, with the lower rate reflecting co-insurance arrangements in which it was not the lead insurer. By assets, IronRock is the smallest general insurer in Jamaica.

Several businesses and industry groups have reported delays in receiving insurance proceeds after the storm impacted western Jamaica eight months ago. Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness and the Financial Services Commission (FSC) recently weighed in on delays in insurance claims payments.

“Our remaining Hurricane Melissa claims now primarily relate to co-insurance placements, where the claims settlement process is coordinated by the lead insurer. This achievement reflects the dedication of our employees and business partners, and our continued focus on delivering timely outcomes for policyholders as they restore their homes, businesses, and livelihoods,” IronRock noted.

The company’s financial statements showed a cash outflow of $1.10 billion during the first six months of 2026 for payments on insurance contract liabilities. By the end of May, IronRock had paid clients a combined $1.21 billion in Hurricane Melissa settlements, comprising US$5.7 million — equivalent to $891.59 million — and a further $317.5 million.

IronRock’s second-quarter insurance revenue rose seven per cent to $577.76 million, while its insurance service result improved to $17.48 million from a loss of $2.80 million a year earlier. A tenfold increase in other investment income and an increase in other income helped the company record a net profit of $21.71 million, compared with a net loss of $23.35 million a year earlier.

“Insurance Revenue increased by 14 per cent year-to-date, driven primarily by continued expansion within the fire, liability, and accident segments, reflecting the ongoing execution of our corporate growth strategy,” IronRock said of the improvement in six-month insurance revenue to $1.17 billion.

IronRock’s insurance service result for the six-month period grew from $8.98 million to $42.05 million despite a 14 per cent increase in reinsurance contract expenses to $756.99 million. Higher other investment income and other income helped the general insurer record a net profit of $28.68 million compared with a net loss of $31.66 million a year earlier.

IronRock’s total assets declined 24 per cent over the six-month period to $3.50 billion as the company continued to pay insurance claims, reducing its cash and reinsurance contract assets. Total liabilities decreased 29 per cent to $2.69 billion with insurance contract liabilities at $2.42 billion. Equity increased three per cent to $808.46 million, equivalent to a book value per share of $3.78.

IronRock’s stock closed Monday at $2, giving the company a market capitalisation of $428 million. The company has not declared a dividend so far in 2026, after paying dividends annually 2023. Mayberry Jamaican Equities Limited (MJE) sold 1,653,769 ordinary shares during the second quarter, leaving it with 48.64 million ordinary shares or a 22.73 per cent stake, as the company’s second largest shareholder. Its 10 largest shareholders control 85.92 per cent of the company’s issued shares.

{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

Man City reject Barcelona bid for Rodri—reports
International News, Latest News
Man City reject Barcelona bid for Rodri—reports
August 7, 2026
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP)—Manchester City have reportedly rejected an opening bid of £38.5 million ($52 million) from Barcelona for World Cup winne...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Bob Marley’s ‘So Much Trouble in the World’ hits platinum in New Zealand
Entertainment, Latest News
Bob Marley’s ‘So Much Trouble in the World’ hits platinum in New Zealand
BY KEVIN JACKSON Observer Writer 
August 7, 2026
Decades after its release, the lyrics to Bob Marley and the Wailers’ hit single So Much Trouble in the World remain relevant. The song, which is inclu...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Mayor of Lucea reflects on hardship faced by residents in recent years
Latest News, News
Mayor of Lucea reflects on hardship faced by residents in recent years
August 7, 2026
HANOVER, Jamaica — As the country celebrated its 64th year of independence, Mayor of Lucea Sheridan Samuels used a civic ceremony in observance of the...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Ky-Mani Marley bringing ‘love and energy’ with first album in 10 years
Entertainment, Latest News
Ky-Mani Marley bringing ‘love and energy’ with first album in 10 years
August 7, 2026
Love & Energy , the eighth studio album by Grammy nominated reggae artiste and actor Ky-Mani Marley, will be released on August 28 via Konfrontation M...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
More than 600 killed in renewed gang violence in Haiti since March
International News, Latest News, Regional
More than 600 killed in renewed gang violence in Haiti since March
August 7, 2026
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (CMC) – A new report by the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) says at least 613 people have been killed and 375 ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Meta ordered to pay $567 million in US over ‘public nuisance’ child harm
International News, Latest News
Meta ordered to pay $567 million in US over ‘public nuisance’ child harm
August 7, 2026
SAN FRANCISCO, United States (AFP)—A United States (US) state court has ordered Meta to pay $567 million and limit some features for children on its F...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Norwegian football federation calls for Infantino to resign
International News, Latest News
Norwegian football federation calls for Infantino to resign
August 7, 2026
OSLO, Norway (AFP)—The Norwegian Football Federation (NFF), among the fiercest critics of FIFA president Gianni Infantino for several years, will call...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Card, Douglas win silver in 100m at World U20 Championships
Latest News, Sports
Card, Douglas win silver in 100m at World U20 Championships
August 7, 2026
OREGON, USA — Jamaica’s Gary Card and Shanoya Douglas won silver medals in the men and women’s 100m on Thursday night at the World Athletics Under-20 ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct