Articles by Andrew Tjaardstra
Major cyber attack suspected in South Korea
Computers at three South Korean national broadcasters and two banks were affected this afternoon as some accuse North Korea of dirty tricks.
Asia-Pacific premiums to double by 2020, says Munich Re
Munich Re's Economic Research Department estimates that nearly half of the $2.8trn of additional premiums to be generated by 2020 across the world will be from the Asia-Pacific region.
FM Global shrugs off Sandy
Property and casualty insurer FM Global secured a profit of $774m in 2012 and a COR of 85.7% despite 2 200 claims from superstorm Sandy.
Ease of doing business in Asia remains strong, says Aon
Aon has partnered with research firm Roubini Global Economics to capture political risk exposures and is bullish about the risks of doing business in Asia.
Drought continues in New Zealand
New Zealand has been suffering from an unusually dry summer with little rainfall.
RSA changes specialty lines head
Neil Lightbown has been appointed as RSA's global specialty lines director from 1 May when he will take over the responsibilities of Paul Donaldson who is set to retire in early 2014.
Insurers to avoid levies on insurance businesses
The International Association of Insurance Supervisors will not issue surcharges across all of insurers' businesses when it releases its findings on 20 March.
Disaster management initiative starts in Australia
The University of Melbourne, IBM and Australia's national research centre NICTA are developing the Australia Disaster Management Platform to help co-ordinate disaster rescue efforts.
Indian regulator reviews broker regulations
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority, India's insurance regulator, has formed a committee to review insurance broker regulations.
Hong Kong GI underwriting profit fell 36% in 2012
Last year the general insurance market in Hong Kong recorded a 13% growth in premiums over 2011, but a 36% fall in underwriting profitability.
50% growth in M&A transactional insurance in Asia, says Marsh
Global demand for transactional risk insurance grew by 41% last year as firms turned to insurance to protect large deals and cross-border acquisitions and sales, according to Marsh
QBE pulls plug on builder's indemnity cover in South Australia
QBE will stop offering builder's indemnity insurance in South Australia from 1 July as insolvencies rise.
Australia government report recommends no subsidies for property insurance
An Australian government advisory report will help protect communities from extreme weather says Insurance Council of Australia CEO Rob Whelan.
Pakistan ponders terrorism insurance pool
Pakistan Re is in talks with the Securities Exchange Commission of Pakistan over providing terrorism reinsurance cover.
Motor fuels growth in Singapore
In 2012, profits from motor increased by 135% while overall gross written premiums grew over 5%.
Prudential gained 1m more Asian customers in 2012
On the release of its 2012 results, insurer Prudential revealed that it had added over 1m customers across Asia in 2012.
China cautious over financial super-regulator
Chinese officials have yet to decide whether to create a new regulator overseeing the insurance, banking and securities sectors.
Insurance Insight launches Claims Club Asia
Insurance Insight has launched the Claims Club Asia to support claims professionals across Asia.
Chartis Hong Kong rebrands
Chartis Hong Kong has rebranded to AIG Hong Kong in line with other rebrands across the global insurer.
Munich Re expects €3bn profit in 2013
Reinsurer Munich Re is expecting profits of €3bn for 2013 compared to €3.2bn in 2012.
Claims Conference Asia 2013
On 7 March, claims professionals from across the world met in Hong Kong at Insurance Insight's inaugural Claims Conference Asia to hear industry experts talk about the hot topics of the year.
Drought frequency has doubled in two decades, says Munich Re
According to Munich Re, droughts have become far more common in recent years.
Bangladesh encourages foreign investment
Bangladesh is to allow unlimited foreign investment in shares of insurance companies.
Aon launches scenario modeling tool based on past catastrophes
Impact Forecasting, Aon Benfield's catastrophe model developer, has launched scenario models to generate loss estimates for historic and hypothetical disasters.