Articles by Chris Wheal
S&P warns about Aviva, Allianz and Axa
Standard & Poor’s has issued a series of warnings about major insurers’ exposure to the euro debt crisis.
Chubb’s profits fall as premiums rise
US insurer Chubb has reported rising premiums but falling income in the fourth quarter, echoing a year of reduced operating and net income on 5% higher net income.
Quinn administrators face 20% fee cut
The President of the High Court in Dublin has knocked 20% off the fees sought by the joint administrators of Quinn Insurance, saying the work they are doing now is routine, the Irish Examiner reports.
UK faces 100 climate change risks
A government report claims the UK is one of the best-prepared nations for the implications of climate change but lists the top 100 risks the country faces.
Whittington London market deal done
The consortium of Tawa, Skuld, and Paraline Group, has completed the acquisition of Whittington Insurance Markets, the London-market operations of Whittington Group.
Renaissance Re adds $45m Thai losses
Renaissance Re estimates the flooding in Thailand will cost it $45m (£29m) from its fourth quarter 2011 results but it said revisions of the New Zealand earthquake and the Tohoku earthquake losses are not expected to be significant.
THB’s Murphy heralds AmWINS deal
AmWINS takeover of the THB Group has been completed with Frank Murphy, chief executive of THB Group, becoming CEO of the AmWINS international division too.
Zurich’s Thai flood and NZ quake losses trigger aggregate reinsurance
Zurich has said it expects the impact of the floods in Thailand and the increased cost of the earthquakes in New Zealand in the fourth quarter 2011 to range between $200m - $250m (£160m).
Ironshore names Aon’s Cheung for M&A
Ironshore has announced that Katherine Cheung has joined the mergers & acquisitions division as underwriter and solicitor of its Lloyd’s Pembroke Syndicate 4000.
Home Office to tackle anti-metal theft
The Home Office has confirmed it is to take over at least some of the proposed anti-metal theft legislation in the private members bill that failed to get a reading on Friday.
NIG brings risk management in-house
Commercial insurer NIG has brought the remaining part of its risk management process from small businesses in-house.
HCC: Thai flooding cost $10m in Q4
HCC Insurance Holdings has revealed fourth quarter Thailand flooding catastrophe loss estimates of $10m (£6.4m), taking the year’s losses to $117m.
QBE ratings unchanged despite cat losses
AM Best has left the ratings of QBE unchanged despite the company almost halving its forecast profit after tax because of catastrophe losses.
Quindell takes 30% stake in Ai Claims
Quindell Portfolio has added to yesterday’s purchase of law firm Silverbeck Rymer by taking a 29.9% in Ai Claims Solutions.
Quindell to add to Silverbeck ABS deal
Quindell is set to announce purchases and partnering arrangements to add to its alternative business structure deal with law firm Silverbeck Rymer.
Jubilee says regulators thwart better PPI
Jubilee says insurers are being put off creating payment protection insurance products because of uncertainty following reviews by regulators.
Law firm sale hinges on SRA approval
Solicitors Regulation Authority approval is required before one of the first law firm takeovers can go ahead.
SSP’s Whiting promotion targets MGAs
Insurance technology provider SSP is to target the growing managing general agents business and has promoted Nick Whiting to the role of business development manager within its insurer division to head up its campaign.
Bluefin centralisation to cost 23 jobs
Bluefin is proposing to close the finance functions of its Gravesend and West Wickham offices with the loss of 23 jobs.
CNA names London property underwriting manager
CNA Insurance has promoted Steve O’Riordan, pictured, to be underwriting manager for London property.
Product recalls jump 27%
UK product recalls have jumped by 27% from 229 in 2010 to a record 291 in 2011, the second year in a row to see record breaking increases, says City law firm Reynolds Porter Chamberlain.
Liberty promotes claims chief McCammon to COO
Liberty Mutual Insurance Europe has promoted its head of claims John McCammon to chief operating officer.
XL insurance takes Harris from Chartis
The insurance segment of XL Group has appointed the Chartis UK commercial lines boss Jason Harris as chief executive of its International P&C business.
QBE pledges to grow following Glasgow move
Business insurer QBE has signalled Scottish expansion plans by moving its Glasgow office to larger premises and to move closer to the central business district.