Articles by Francesca Nyman
Many countries still vastly underinsured against earthquake
Seismic events caused economic losses of over $276bn in 2010-2011, yet earthquake-prone countries remain underinsured, according to a Swiss Re report.
Profits still elusive in growing Indian insurance market
Further growth is anticipated for India’s insurance market but achieving profitability remains a struggle for many insurers, according to a recent AM Best report.
Coface predicts recession rate of 0.1% for Europe in 2012
Credit insurer Coface warned about the systemic nature of the Eurozone crisis at its annual country risk conference but does not expect a return to depths of the 2008-2009 crisis.
Iran's nuclear ambition heightens risk to investors
Country economic risk and currency incontrovertibility and transfer risk remain key concerns for Iran, according to JLT’s head of credit and political risk analysis, Elizabeth Stephens.
Firms underestimate cyber risk, according to Allianz survey
Economic risks, business interruption and destructive natural catastrophes are among the biggest risks to companies in 2012, according to a study conducted by Alianz Global Corporate & Specialty.
Reinsurance trade groups warn against protectionist regulation
A coalition of reinsurance trade groups has pointed to the record 2011 global insured natural catastrophe losses as a warning sign as to why protectionist reinsurance regulation will backfire in jurisdictions that try to impose limits on global risk…
Q&A Asia: Ageas
As part of Insurance Insight's new remit to cover Asia, Ageas's chief executive officer Gary Crist(pictured)spoke to Francesca Nyman to explain the insurers reach in the region.
Russian liability law pushes up insurance costs
Stringent new legislation on the management and insurance of plants dealing in hazardous materials in Russia could have far-reaching consequences for companies operating in the region, according to Marsh.
Russian Insurance Centre's 'B' IFS rating affirmed
Fitch has affirmed Russian Insurance Centre's insurer financial strength rating at 'B' and national IFS rating at 'BBB-', reflecting the "relatively strong" operational profile of the commercial property and casualty specialist.
Aon Benfield appoints new CEO for Greater China
Global reinsurance intermediary Aon Benfield has made two senior additions to its Asia Pacific team.
Ace Russia achieves 'BBB+' IFS rating
The Russian subsidiary of Ace Insurance Company has had its Insurer Financial Strength and national IFS ratings upgraded by Fitch.
Skuld enters into Transmarine partnership
Norwegian marine insurer Skuld has formed a partnership with Transmarine, part of the Michael and Else and Company MGA operation specialising in marine trade disruption and consequential loss insurance.
QBE expects 40% drop in profits after tax
Australia-based general insurer QBE expects its profits after tax for 2011 to be down 40% to 50% on the previous year.
Insurers reveal Thai flood losses
Bermuda-based Arch Capital Group has said it expects the company’s 2011 fourth quarter results to be negatively impacted by the severe flooding in Thailand.
Bin Shabib and Associates joins Insuralex
Law firm Bin Shabib and Associates LLP has been elected to membership of global insurance lawyers group, Insuralex.
Marsh appoints loss-adjuster to head energy and construction
Global broker Marsh has recruited Vincent Marrot to be its global leader for energy engineering and leader of construction engineering for the firm's international division.
Mixed 2012 renewals for global reinsurance market
The 1 January 2012 renewals saw a shift in industry behaviour as both insurers and reinsurers implemented more sophisticated, customised approaches to risk assessment and mitigation, according to Guy Carpenter.
Cyber threat poses huge global risks
Fiscal problems, global connectivity and demographic shifts pose the biggest risks in the next few years, according to the World Economic forum’s 2012 Global Risks report.
XL merges property and asset protection divisions
XL Group has combined its property underwriting and XL Global Asset Protection Services to form one unified team of risk engineers worldwide.
China's "cash before cover" regulation introduces ambiguity
Regulations designed to enhance cash flow for Chinese insurers will introduce ambiguity into the market and could lead to reduced policy coverage, according to Marsh China.
Chinese insurance sector faces "deeply-rooted problems" according to chief regulator
The head of China's Insurance Regulatory Commission has issued a stark warning to the country's insurance sector, despite robust premium growth in 2011.
Hyperion in takeover talks with Windsor
Hyperion Group is currently in discussions with Windsor Limited regarding a potential offer for the company.
Rising medical costs behind potential 10% growth in Lebanese medical premiums
Medical insurance premiums in Lebanon will rise by 10% in 2012, according to projections by Lebanese insurance association, the ACAL.
Saudi insurers remain profitable despite low interest rates
Domestic insurers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia remain profitable despite increasing competition and the current low interest rate environment, according to a report by Standard and Poor’s.