Markel International
Markel to buy Alterra in $3.1bn deal
Markel is to acquire Bermudian insurer and reinsurer Alterra for a combination of stock and cash totalling $3.1bn.
Interview: Reg Brown - Been there, done that, got the t-shirt
Reg Brown has seen it all in more than half a century working in insurance, but the chairman of the Managing General Agents’ Association’s drive to improve the industry and inspire its next generation is stronger than ever.
Chubb named Underwriting Service Awards Team of the Year
LV and QBE scooped two awards each at Post's third annual Underwriting Service Awards last night, beating Hiscox, RSA and Allianz.
Europe View from the Top: Sweden's art seriously underinsured
The Swedish fine art market has traditionally been insured by a few large, London-based insurers. But as the value of local artwork increases, huge swathes of Swedish art are grossly underinsured.
Is a hard market dawning in Germany?
With the Eurozone crisis, impending Solvency II regulations, and deteriorating loss ratios in certain lines, Francesca Nyman asked German insurers whether the market will harden in the next 12 months.
Markel places collectables cover on broker e-trading system
Specialist insurer Markel UK has launched the first personal lines product on its broker e-trading system.
AM Best offers positive outlook on Markel International
Rating services firm AM Best Europe has affirmed the financial strength rating of 'A' and issuer credit ratings of "A+" of Markel International and Lloyd's Syndicate 3000.
Davies expects Markel full-year results to weather the storm
Markel International finance director Andy Davies is confident that the impact of superstorm Sandy on his firm's full-year results will not halt the momentum achieved in the opening nine months of the year.
Markel boss credits investment returns for 'excellent' nine months
Markel International has chalked up a substantial drop in its combined operating ratio for the opening nine months of 2012 to 86% compared with 119% for the same period last year.
German joint venture and expansion in Asia help Markel Int return to underwriting profit
Markel International has reported gross written premiums up 4% to $705m for the nine months ended 30 September 2012.
Asia View from the Top: The effects of globalisation
'May you live in interesting times' is apparently the English translation of an ancient Chinese curse, and the past few years have been interesting and challenging from an underwriter's point of view.
Top five European news stories
The top five news stories from www.insuranceinsight.com over the past seven days.
Eurobase continues hiring spree
Global software provider Eurobase Insurance Solutions has appointed David Towning as projects director and Caroline Bedford as senior business analyst.
Competition keeps prices low for Italian PI
Italian legislation making professional indemnity insurance compulsory presents opportunities for insurers, but competition is keeping prices low, according to Davide Balloco, head of PI for Markel in Italy.
Smaller brokers get niche to tackle emerging Asian markets
Small brokers in South East Asia are turning to specialist insurance products that are considered too niche to be of interest to their larger counterparts as Nicky Burridge reports.
Libor scandal: Coping with financial fallout
The Libor scandal has rocked public confidence in the financial services sector, but what impact will it ultimately have on the insurance industry?
Lancashire's head of marine goes to Argenta
Argenta Holdings subsidiary Argenta Syndicate Management has appointed Vincent Leonardi as marine underwriter at Argenta Syndicate 2121.
Argenta recruits marine underwriter for Syndicate 2121
Argenta Syndicate, a subsidiary of Argenta Holdings, has appointed Vincent Leonardi to marine underwriter at Argenta Syndicate 2121.
Top five European news stories
The top five European stories from www.insuranceinsight.com over the past seven days.
Market moves: High-profile changes at Allianz, Zurich and Towergate
The industry witnessed a number of major departures this week with Chris Hanks, Karl Bedlow and Nick Houghton leaving their roles at Allianz, Zurich and Towergate respectively.
Italy increasingly important for London market
Italy is becoming a more important jurisdiction for the London insurance community, according to international law firm Norton Rose.
Markel hires ex-RSA marine underwriter Cannock
Markel International has appointed Matthew Cannock, pictured, as marine underwriter for its Singapore office.
Markel appoints Cannock as marine underwriter for Asia-Pacific
Markel International has appointed Matthew Cannock as marine underwriter in its Singapore office.
Market moves: New arrivals in the broking sector
Lorica Insurance Brokers, Chaucer and Markel led the way in the recruitment space this week, bringing in several fresh faces between them.