News
Rumours of Solvency II M&A greatly exaggerated
Solvency II will not result in market consolidation, at least not in the near term, according to Ovum's senior analyst for insurance technology.
Generali and Allianz among downgraded Italian insurers
Moody's Investors Service has downgraded three Italian insurers in reflection of the Italian sovereign’s weakening credit worthiness.
Aria Assistance swoops for POH one month after MBO
Aria Assistance has underlined its commitment to the occupational health services sector with the acquisition of Premier Occupational Healthcare.
Travel cancellation insurance must be opt-in, ECJ rules
Online travel agents can no longer automatically include travel cancellation insurance in the price of plane tickets bought on the internet, following a ruling by the European Court of Justice.
Chinese fraud poll
Is insurance fraud as much a problem in China as it is in some parts of Europe?
Amanda Blanc elected CII president
Axa commercial lines chief executive Amanda Blanc has been elected as the Chartered Insurance Institute's 116th president, following yesterday's annual general meeting.
Risk from traditional reinsurance not systemic, IAIS says
Traditional reinsurance is unlikely to cause, or amplify, systemic risk, according to the International Association of Insurance Supervisors.
Management merry-go-round at Hiscox leaves CEO 'excited'
Hiscox has completed a string of senior appointments, bringing on board Bob Thaker as head of UK claims, Penny Shaw as chief risk officer and Joanne Musselle as chief underwriting officer for UK and Ireland.
Capacity providers to enable Synergy product expansion
Synergy Insurance Services is expanding its product range having secured new capacity providers in the form of Ironshore Europe and Equity Red Star.
GWP for Chinese insurers up nearly 6% in H1
China's insurance companies posted 5.9% premium growth in the first half of 2012, statistics released by the country's insurance regulator showed.
Amlin targets US casualty reinsurance risk
Amlin is launching a casualty reinsurance operation in the US with a focus on general and professional liability.
Councils criticise government for flood insurance failure
The Local Government Association has accused the government and insurance industry of letting down residents in flood-risk areas by failing to reach an agreement over the provision of affordable insurance cover.
LGA report on danger of delaying flood decision wins industry support
AA Insurance has seconded concerns expressed in today's Local Government Association report that delays in identifying a future flood risk solution could prove costly.
Market moves: Zurich and Mitsui continue recruitment push
Last week's busiest recruiters, Zurich and Mitsui Sumitomo, followed their recent appointments with the addition of more new staff. Mitsui has added two members to its underwriting team, while Zurich welcomed a new head of human resources.
Law Report: Contractor’s rights upheld due to ambiguous contract
Law reports contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Law Report: Court rules in favour of following German law in crash case
Law reports contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Law Report: Part 36 not extended by court
Law reports contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Keelan Westall boss upbeat despite parent firm slipping into the red
Keelan Westall has claimed that the firm is beating its own growth targets, despite its parent company's latest financial results revealing that it has slipped into the red.
Concern over PPOs makes 'nervous' reinsurers more 'selective' in writing
The spectre of the UK motor market being hit by the further withdrawal of primary capacity, and resistance to new entrants, has again been raised, this time through the reinsurance community's concern about periodical protection orders.
Withey case prompts MP to raise loss adjusting regulation in Westminster
Political pressure for the immediate regulation of loss adjusters is building steadily, after Welsh MP Roger Williams signalled his intention to raise the issue in Westminster.
Towergate M&A boss outlines 2012 targets following double raid
Towergate is on track to double last year's acquisitions total, leading the firm's M&A director to hint at yet more upcoming deals across the UK.
Coface's Charbonnel promoted to chief operating officer
Cyrille Charbonnel has been appointed group chief operating officer for Coface, a newly created position at the credit insurer.
Axa aims for Brokerbility benchmark
Axa UK intermediary boss Amanda Blanc has said there is "room for improvement" in the insurer's commercial lines business, despite beating its peers on overall performance in a recent survey of brokers.
Axa Personal Lines and Commercial Lines brought back together under Blanc
Axa's decision to revert to structuring its UK general insurance business down distribution lines rather than business segments has been widely welcomed by brokers, but the market is awaiting clarity over the direction of its direct business.