Asia
RSA expects sub 95% COR for 2012 after Q1 results
RSA recorded a 5% increase in net written premiums to £2.2bn for the first quarter, prompting group CEO Simon Lee to predict a full year combined operating ratio below 95%.
Nepalese regulator wants zero depreciation motor cover
The Nepal Insurance Board wants motor insurers to introduce policies with zero depreciation cover, but critics fear the high premiums would put the product beyond the reach of most Nepalese.
Miller hires North Asia reinsurance specialist
Miller has enhanced its North Asia reinsurance broking capabilities by appointing Gao Zu Biao who will be based in its Hong Kong office.
Asia must invest in urban disaster risk management
Industry insiders at a seminar convened by the Asian Development Bank have called for Asian countries to increase investment in urban disaster risk management.
Redomiciling: London calling as tax changes make the UK more attractive
Will a reduction in corporation tax and changes to the Controlled Foreign Companies regime make the UK a more attractive place to domicile?
Clyde & Co promotes nine to partnership in Middle East and Asia
Insurance specialist Clyde & Co has promoted nine lawyers to partnership in the Middle East & Asia.
Marsh & McLennan revenue grows 6% in Q1
Marsh & McLennan Group outstripped analyst estimates to make consolidated revenue of $3.1 bn in the first quarter, a 6% increase on the first quarter of 2011.
AAOIFI plans reform of takaful standards
Khaled Al Fakih, the new secretary-general of the Bahrain-based Accounting and Auditing Organisation for Islamic Financial Institutions, outlined plans for a sweeping review of its guidelines in an interview with Reuters.
Zurich renames Malaysia Assurance Alliance Berhad
Malaysian Assurance Alliance Berhad has been renamed Zurich Insurance Malaysia Berhad following Zurich's acquisition of MAAB in September 2011.
Sri Lanka's EAP enters insurance broking with Omani firm
EAP Group will form a joint venture with Oman-based broker Risk Management Services LLC to capitalise on the growing insurance market in post-war Sri Lanka.
Lloyd's Register exits Iran amid sanctions furore
Lloyd's Register has closed its operations in Iran, fearing a blacklisting in the US if it failed to terminate the business.
IRDA asked to relax branch opening rules in rural areas
India's government has asked the country's insurance regulator to be more lenient when applying branch opening norms in rural areas in the hope that the presence of more insurance firms will increase insurance penetration.
Insurance Insight – top 10 stories
The top 10 most popular articles published on insuranceinsight.com over the past seven days.
Airline insurance sector soars to first profit in five years
Profitability returned to the aviation and airline manufacturing insurance markets in 2011 following one of the lowest years for losses and passenger fatalities on record, according to Willis’ Aerospace.
Ace appoints Asia Pacific energy casualty underwriter
Ace has named Shaun Oliver as Asia Pacific Energy Casualty Underwriter.
Countdown to ISA: Q&A with Axa Asia's Prasanna Patil
As part of a series counting down to Insurance Strategy Asia, Insurance Insight spoke to Prasanna Patil about his views on the Asian insurance market.
Nearly 80% of Vietnamese SMEs lack disaster preparation
Despite their exposure, small to medium sized businesses in Vietnam are seriously under-prepared for the possibility of a natural disaster, a study by the Asia Foundation has found.
Ace on a 'hunt' to buy Japanese firms
Ace Group has revealed its interest in Japanese acquisition targets in a conference call with analysts
JLT expects to make financial progress in 2012
Broker JLT told shareholders today that the company remains well placed to make financial progress in 2012, despite the uncertain economic outlook.
IT systems make Asian acquisitions an attractive option for insurers
Flexible and efficient IT systems are essential for insurers aiming to bolster Asian operations through acquisitions, according to IT consultancy Northdoor.
Willis appoints new MD for Asia Global Solutions
Global broker Willis Group has appointed a new managing director and divisional director for its Asia Global Solutions (International) team.
Nearly 80% of Islamic firms created a risk department in the past five years
The number of Islamic financial institutions employing dedicated risk managers has increased greatly since 2007, according to Deloitte Middle East's first Islamic Finance Risk Intelligence report.
India's sovereign rating placed on negative watch
India's sovereign credit rating has been revised from 'stable' to 'outlook negative' by Standard & Poor's, indicating an increased possibility of the rating being downgraded.
Lockton to open Australian offices
Lockton is to open two offices in Australia, establishing a new insurance brokerage, Lockton Australia, in Perth and Sydney.