Asia
Pre-tax profits at Catlin climb 27% in 2013
Catlin's pre-tax profits reached $432m in 2013 - up 27% from $339m the previous year.
Soft market in Asia to hit record, says Marsh
Commercial insurance rates in Asia are expected to reach historic lows this year, according to Marsh's 2014 Asia Insurance Market Report.
C-Suite: The Asia talent war
2013 was a year of ups and downs for both the industry and recruitment volumes. After a very slow start, the second half was significantly more active with some large scale organisation changes and movements, particularly at a very senior level, which…
Total Philippines insurance premiums grew 47% in 2013
The outlook is strong for insurers in the Philippines according to ratings agency Fitch, although the life sector is stronger than general insurance.
US January insurance storm claims hit $1.4bn
Catastrophe modeller Impact Forecasting said January's weather in the US cost insurers at least $1.4bn and economic losses of $3bn. Asia also saw its fair share of cold weather in January.
UK customers among least loyal on home and car insurance
UK insurance customers are among the least loyal to their car and home insurance providers, according to new figures from Accenture.
Berg to leave Insurance Council of Australia's board
Ian Berg, the outgoing vice-president and operations manager, Australia for FM Global is to leave the board at the Insurance Council of Australia.
Indonesian insurers to shrug off floods, says Fitch
Fitch Ratings has said the January flooding in Singapore is likely to have limited impact on the local insurance market.
Norton Rose Fulbright appoints McDaid as partner in Hong Kong
Law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has announced the appointment of Declan McDaid as a partner in the Hong Kong office. McDaid joined from Hong Kong firm Deacons, where he was a partner in the insurance practice.
SSP won eight clients in Australasia last year
Insurance technology house SSP signed up eight clients in New Zealand and Australia last year and launched its telematics service.
Munich Re's reinsurance division operating profits down 19%
In 2013, according to Munich Re's preliminary results, operating profits at its reinsurance arm reduced from €4.3bn in 2012 to €3.5bn last year (a reduction from €3.1bn to €2.8bn in its consolidated result).
Penny Speed meets... Kevin Betts, Airclaims' regional director Asia Pacific
Being an insatiable socialite, Penny Black is always eager to probe the personalities behind the professional veneer of her industry friends. What better way to squeeze in and share as many intimate revelations as possible than her very own ‘speed…
Lloyd’s vs Asia: Is London losing its crown?
Could factors including economic growth in the East and increasingly burdensome UK regulation see Lloyd’s Asian hub in Singapore oust its London counterpart as the global centre of insurance?
Miller recruits XL Re’s Poon to head Asia claims
Insurance and reinsurance broker Miller has appointed XL Re’s claims manager to lead its claims operations in Asia.
C-Suite: Asian regulation
For insurers 2013 was another year of significant regulatory activities. Almost all important insurance conferences cited regulations as one of the key challenges facing the industry.
XL recruits from Aon in Sydney for product recall push
XL has appointed Ian Davidson as crisis management underwriter to boost its product recall arm.
Xchanging opens second Singapore office
Insurance technology provider Xchanging has opened a second office in the heart of Singapore's insurance district at Tower 2, Asia Square.
Chinese insurers investing heavily in Australian property
Chinese insurers are set to ramp up investment in Australian commercial property by 30% this year.
Hong Kong culls 20 000 chickens after bird flu discovered
20 000 chickens in Cheung Sha Wan wholesale market in Kowloon, Hong Kong are being killed on 28 January after H7N9 bird flu was discovered.
Indonesian authority sets pricing guidelines for disaster coverage
The Indonesian Financial Services Authority has given insurers minimum and maximum prices for disaster coverage of motor vehicles and property to stop unhealthy competition.
BPL Global appoints ex-JLT director in Hong Kong
Ex-JLT divisional director Margaret Ho has joined political risk broker Berry Palmer and Lyle (BPL Global) as a senior broker at its Hong Kong office.
China Pacific in line for bumper 2013
China Pacific Insurance (Group) has said it expects profits to have jumped 80% in 2013.
London P&I Club issues warning over cargo liquefaction
The London P&I Club has said the lifting of an iron ore ban in India, together with the recent total loss of two ships, has put the spotlight on the problem of cargo liquefaction.
UK fraud specialist launches in Australia
VFM Services, a desktop claims handler and trainer, is making its conversation management tool and training offering available in Australia.