Articles by Chris Wheal
70% of firms ready for risks, says Lloyd’s report
A Lloyd’s Risk Index report has found that 70% of businesses believe they are better prepared to tackle the risks they face than they were two years ago.
US P&C rates rise after six soft years
US Composite P&C rates have finally risen after six years and eight months of soft market pricing, according to the Dallas-based insurance exchange Market Scout.
Swiss Re estimates Thai losses at $600m
Swiss Re estimates its claims costs from the flooding of 1500 industrial units in Thailand to be $600m, net of retrocession and before tax.
Torus takes CV Starr Lloyd’s renewals
The Lloyd’s arm of specialty insurer Torus is to take over renewals of CV Starr’s Lloyd’s syndicate's continental European marine, casualty, financial lines and general property business.
NIG names three in SME push
Broker-only commercial insurer NIG has appointed area business development managers at its regional headquarters in Bristol, Maidstone and Watford.
IUA calls for market solution to green risks
Market-driven solutions to environmental liability risks should take precedence over possible EU-enforced compulsory financial requirements, the International Underwriting Association has argued.
Slingsby rejoins RSA after QBE role
RSA has named former QBE UK and Europe head of operations Steve Slingsby as global programme director for global specialty lines.
China’s P&C growth behind average
Reinsurance broker Aon Benfield says China’s property and casualty insurance growth has been too slow.
Insurers cannot rely on internal models
Two-thirds of insurers aim to use independent experts to validate market risk assumptions in internal models, according to a survey from Towers Watson.
Control Risks warns of political instability
Businesses face worldwide risks from political instability and economic uncertainty from governments and from below by social protest and increasing scrutiny of corporate practices, Control Risks has warned.
Legal and tax issues top Airmic worries
Global economic and political uncertainty has had little impact on global insurance programmes, the second annual Airmic casualty benchmarking survey has found.
Hastings replaces Parry with Latter
Hastings Direct has appointed Liz Latter as head of insurer development to allow Adrian Parry to step down from the role next year.
China’s P&C growth behind average
Reinsurance broker Aon Benfield says China’s property and casualty insurance growth has been too slow.
TIP recruits and targets care homes
The Insurance Partnership has taken on three staff to bolster existing operations and aid its expansion into the care home sector.
DAS continues to provide legal expenses for Sterling
DAS has extended its contract to provide Sterling Insurance customers with legal expenses cover.
Swiss Re warns of low profits for 2012
Swiss Re’s economists say the insurance industry will not pick up until after 2012.
Pro Sight takes over TSM at Lloyd’s
Pro Sight Specialty Insurance has acquired Lloyd's coverholder TSM Agencies and 100% of the capacity rights to Lloyd's syndicate 1110.
Howden eyes Asia with Dallamore hire
Hyperion-owned Howden has signed up Brian Dallamore as an advisor and consultant in Asia, and as a non-executive director of the board that oversees the broker’s retail operations in South East Asia.
Argo hires Taylor for international role
Lloyd’s insurer Argo International has hired Rupert Taylor from Novae to head its international general liability division.
Keychoice teams up with Lorega
Loss recovery managing general agent Lorega has linked up with Keychoice to provide commercial loss recovery insurance and services for its 800 plus broker members.
Dual extends D&O through Lloyd’s
Specialist underwriting agency DUAL Corporate Risks has entered into a strategic partnership with Aspen Managing Agency (Syndicate 4711) and Pembroke Managing Agency (Syndicate 4000) to provide additional capacity for directors' & officers' liability.
Buyers queue up for Thai flood-hit Hardy
Hardy Underwriting has said it has had several preliminary expressions of interest in its business after putting itself up for sale following catastrophe losses from the Thai floods.
HBL lowers offer for cat-hit Omega
Omega bidder Haverford has confirmed that it has cut its offer for 25% of the troubled Lloyd’s business to 74p per share.
R&Q buys Lloyd’s HNW MGA Synergy
Randall and Quilter is to buy the high net worth managing general agent Synergy Insurance Services.