Odyssey Reinsurance Company

Odyssey Reinsurance Company is a global reinsurer with a strong focus on property and casualty coverage. In 2024, it wrote $3.8 billion in gross reinsurance premiums worldwide.

History of Odyssey Reinsurance Company

The company traces its roots to 1900 through Skandia’s US branch in New York. It became a reinsurance-focused firm in 1935 and was later acquired by Skandia.

Fairfax Financial bought it in 1996 and renamed it Odyssey Re. Other major milestones in its long global history include:

• 1999: Odyssey America becomes flagship reinsurer after Fairfax acquires TIG Holdings
• 2000: Paris and Singapore branches open under Odyssey America to write global business
• 2001: Odyssey Re Holdings Corp. lists on the New York Stock Exchange at $18 per share
• 2003: gross premiums written hit $2 billion after continued global expansion
• 2011: Odyssey America changes name officially to Odyssey Reinsurance Company
• 2018: Odyssey Re Holdings is renamed Odyssey Group Holdings, aligning all brands under one group
• 2022: company reports $6 billion in gross premiums and $13 billion in investments
• 2023: Odyssey Group’s investment portfolio grows further, reaching $15 billion

Odyssey Reinsurance Company continues to expand and grow across reinsurance markets. New offices and leadership changes marked a recent shift in strategy and scale.

Reinsurance products and services

Odyssey Reinsurance Company provides global treaty and facultative reinsurance across many specialized areas of risk:

• accident & health: covers medical costs, disability, and travel-related exposures
• agriculture: insures crops, livestock, and weather-related losses
• auto/motor: covers vehicle damage and third-party liability
• aviation & space: insures aircraft, satellites, and launch risks
• casualty: covers liability, workers’ comp, and legal claims
• cyber liability: protects against hacks, breaches, and data loss
• facultative (Latin America): offers single-risk cover for Latin America
• facultative (US): provides custom risk cover in the US
• marine & energy: covers cargo, ships, and offshore energy risks
• property: insures against fire, storms, and physical damage
• property retrocession: reinsures reinsurers for catastrophe exposure
• surety & trade credit: protects against defaults and missed payments
• terrorism: insures damage from political violence or attacks

Odyssey Re supports clients with trusted service and strong reinsurance protection. Its products offer security, flexibility, and global reach.

Culture and core values

Odyssey Reinsurance Company builds trust through strong underwriting and a focus on client service excellence. Its mission is to grow globally while staying true to specialty insurance roots.

Mission statement

The firm supports Fairfax’s goal of long-term, 15 percent annual returns through patient, profitable business growth. It stays disciplined and focused while expanding across products and regions:

• underwriting profitability: applies pricing discipline to grow profits and manage risk
• client needs: uses local teams to deliver fast, focused service
• service excellence: sets high standards for clients and staff
• global reach: expands through new markets and product lines
• technical expertise: uses strong skills in underwriting, claims, and actuarial work
• market adaptability: stays steady while adjusting to market shifts
• workforce diversity: supports growth and career paths across teams
• Fairfax values: follows core ethics and long-term shareholder goals

Odyssey Re connects its success to shared growth and long-term impact. Its progress helps support local communities.

Diversity and inclusivity

Odyssey Reinsurance Company builds teams with a mix of perspectives, cultures, and generations. It supports a culture that values inclusion, fresh ideas, and shared progress:

• inclusive environment: everyone is heard, respected, and valued
• awareness and understanding: promotes action to embed inclusion in culture
• diverse workforce: brings together broad skillsets and viewpoints
• client insight: uses diversity to understand markets
• smarter solutions: develops ideas through collaboration
• shared progress: helps rebuild, renew, and move forward

The company also supports education through training programs that value skill growth and professional learning.

Culture of giving

Odyssey Re gives back through its Odyssey Group Foundation, launched in 2007. Each year, it donates 2 percent of pre-tax earnings to community causes. Employees also take part in a biennial Nomination Campaign to support chosen charities.

The future at Odyssey Reinsurance Company

Odyssey Re is preparing for leadership changes that support long-term strength and direction. A seasoned executive has joined its property treaty team during this transition. These steps reflect its steady focus on growth, talent, and global reinsurance goals.

A leadership shift began a new era for Odyssey Reinsurance Company in early 2025. The firm remains focused on reinsurance while growing across core and new markets. Its long-term goals reflect global growth and deeper alignment within Odyssey Group.