Asia
Miller appointment strengthens marine team
Miller has enhanced its marine capabilities with the appointment of stock throughput, cargo and project cargo insurance broking specialist Tony Robinson.
Petroleum and gas secretary front runner in IRDA chairman race
Girish Chandra Chaturvedi is being tipped to take the helm of India's Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority when the term of current chairman J Harinarayan comes to an end early next year.
PICC IPO valuation hits $20.8bn
People's Insurance Co (Group) of China is planning a listing that will value the state-owned insurer at around $20.8bn, according to a Market Watch report.
Catlin sees increase in GWP
Catlin's International underwriting hub saw gross written premiums increase 17% to $727m.
Asia-Pacific only bright spot in bleak outlook for insurers for 2013
Asia-Pacific and emerging economies are the only bright spots in an otherwise bleak outlook for the insurance sector in 2013.
Service failures by outsourcers number three cause of supply chain disruption
Outsourcing failure is now a significant cause of supply chain disruption, according to a report by Zurich.
Myanmar corruption could be obstacle for insurers
Corruption is one of the many stumbling blocks facing insurers entering Myanmar's fledgling insurance market, industry insiders have told Reuters.
RSA hails "unique geographic footprint" after 15% growth in emerging markets
Emerging markets led growth for RSA in the first three quarters of 2012 as challenging conditions continued to affect performance in its core European market.
The Asian talent hotpot for insurers
As insurers ride the wave of rising wealth in Asia the demand for professionals with the right expertise to make the most of growth opportunities is shrinking, as Pagan Van reports.
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.
Aviva reveals 97% COR in steady results
Aviva's general insurance business delivered a combined operating ratio of 97% in the first nine months of 2012, in line with the previous year, excluding RAC.
IPipeline hires Greenberg to build Apac presence
Insurance processing solutions provider iPipeline has appointed Paul Greenberg as country manager for Japan and Asia Pacific.
Top five Asian news stories
The top five Asian news stories from wwww.insuranceinsight.com over the past seven days.
India-based GI insurers see rise in premiums
General insurance companies in India have seen an 18.6% rise in premiums in the current financial year.
Ace Europe head criticises London market's 'lack of vision'
London's insurance industry must avoid complacency and reinforce its position as the global insurance centre through innovation, collaboration and recognition of the shift towards emerging markets, the chairman of Ace European Group said today.
China-based intermediary starts repurchase programme
CN Insure is to repurchase up to $30m of its American depositary shares by 6 May 2012 after its board of directors approved a repurchase programme.
Thai acquisition to double Pru market share
Insurer Prudential is set to acquire Thanachart Life Assurance Company, a wholly-owned life insurance subsidiary of Thanachart Bank.
Ship that ran aground during cyclone had valid insurance, owner says
The oil tanker Pratibha Cauvery, which ran aground during Cyclone Nilam, was seaworthy and had valid insurance cover, according to a marine manager at Pratibha Shipping Company.
HSBC India denies reports of suspended insurance sales
Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corp has denied that it has stopped selling insurance in India, following media reports that the company had suspended sales after allegations of mis-selling.
AIA appoints Yeo Yong-Boon as non-exec director
Pan-Asian insurer AIA Group has appointed George Yeo Yong-Boon as an independent non-executive director
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.
Emerging markets expansion rewarded by equities analysts
Insurance equity analysts expect higher profitability from the best-performing insurers, despite difficult market conditions, and will reward those that expand into emerging markets, a global survey by Accenture found.
UIB hires new staff ahead of special risks unit launch
Independent international reinsurance broker UIB has launched a special risks division in response to customer demand.
Cyclone Nilam makes landfall near Chennai
Tropical cyclone Nilam, the second named cyclone of the 2012 North Indian Ocean cyclone season, made landfall in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu at about 4.30pm local time on Wednesday with maximum wind speeds of 80km-90km per hour, according to…