Asia
Agricultural insurance could rise 'three to four times' in emerging markets, says Swiss Re
Increases in agricultural production and lack of insurance cover in Asian countries is good news for the emerging market agricultural insurance sector, according to Swiss Re.
China's economy grew 7.9% in Q4 2012
Year-on-year Q4 Chinese economic growth of 7.9% beats expectations of 7.8%, but growth slowed to 7.8% overall in 2012 compared with 9.3% in 2011.
Large number of claims reported from Jakarta floods
Loss adjusting firm Cunningham Lindsey has been notified of a large number of losses resulting from flooding in Jakarta on Thursday.
Ace reshuffles EMEA claims team
Ace Group has reshuffled its accident and health team for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Jakarta grinds to a halt after widespread flooding
At least four people were killed and 20,000 evacuated on Thursday as widespread flooding hit the Indonesian capital of Jakarta.
Aviva sells stake in Malaysian venture
Aviva has reached an agreement to sell its 49% stake in two Malaysian ventures to Sun Life Assurance.
Chinese broker association formed
China's first international insurance brokerage association was established in Beijing on Thursday, China Daily reported.
AMMB Holdings seeks partners in Malaysia
Malaysian financial services group wants partners for AMLife and AMFamily Takaful by June.
The importance of disaster restoration
Insurers in Asia are increasingly turning their attention to property restoration following natural disasters, spurred on by the possibility of huge cost savings, writes Nicky Burridge.
Cooper Gay partner Marnix to target Japanese reinsurers
Cooper Gay has signed a deal with Marnix Corporation, the broking unit of Japanese conglomerate Marubeni, to target clients in Japan's treaty reinsurance market.
Insurers should have been prepared for 2011 cat losses, says AIR
Insured losses in 2011 from global natural catastrophes exceeded $110bn, according to industry sources, the second highest figure ever recorded.
Emerging Asia to lead life insurance growth, says Swiss Re
Reinsurer believes life insurance premiums will grow by about 10% in real terms this year in emerging Asia.
Starr's Asia plans boosted by AIG hire
Maurice 'Hank' Greenberg's insurance group Starr International has appointed Jeffrey Hayman as president of international insurance operations.
MicroEnsure targets Asia with Telnor JV
MicroEnsure has formed a joint venture with mobile operator Telnor, with the aim of providing microinsurance products to four than four million people in Africa and Asia.
Prudential eyes growing Asian middle class
Prudential's chairman has spelled out the huge growth potential in Asia.
Blog: Extra-terrestrial threat
In the wake of the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks report many have focused on the impact of climate change, digital wildfires, drug resistant diseases...
S&P warns of "mounting pressure" on global insurers
The credit quality of global multi-line insurers is generally sound, despite a downward trend over the past four years, Standard and Poor's said today.
Lloyd's hails underwriting deal with Japanese FSA
The Lloyd's market today welcomed an agreement between Lloyd's Japan and the Japanese Financial Services Agency enabling Lloyd's-based insurers to insure such risks in Japan.
Heightened terrorism risk in Turkey following activist killing
The recent killing of a leading PKK activist indicates increasing terrorism risks to state and security assets in Turkey, including in Istanbul, according to a new report by Exclusive Analysis.
Aon Benfield warns insurers to consider severe space weather events
Aon Benfield has advised the insurance industry to consider the potential ramifications of a severe space weather event, as solar and geomagnetic activity is predicted to peak in the next 12 months.
Indian general insurers look overseas
New India Assurance, United India Insurance, Oriental Insurance and National Insurance want overseas growth.
Aviva and CIMB sell joint venture in Malaysia
A bid for Aviva's five year-old joint venture with Malaysian bank CIMB has been accepted.
India considers allowing sub-brokers to sell insurance
Plans are under review by the Indian insurance regulator to allow sub-brokers to sell insurance in India.
Japanese car premiums set to rise
Premiums for compulsory automobile liability insurance to rise from April in Japan.