Australia
IAG improves claims guidance
Insurance Australia Group is expecting a better claims performance for its current financial year than forecast.
Fitch affirms QBE's ratings
Fitch Ratings has affirmed QBE's long-term issuer default rating at A, and its subsidiaries' insurer financial strength ratings at A+, both with a stable outlook.
View from the Top: 2013's regulatory outlook
KPMG's Martin Noble looks at how 2013 regulatory predictions shaping up for Asia-Pacific, and whether we could soon see the emergence of a global insurance capital standard.
Marsh and AGCS provide quick access to claims' funds
March and Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty have committed to provide rapid access to working funds for the joint clients in the event of a major claim.
SAP appoints Pitcher to senior Asia-Pacific role
Andrew Pitcher, an Accenture veteran, has been given a newly-created role of senior vice president and general manager of financial services for SAP Asia-Pacific and Japan.
Crawford adds four adjusters to Singapore team
Claims management firm Crawford & Company has bolstered its Asia Pacific operation by appointing four new adjusters to its Singapore team.
Q&A: PARIMA chairman and International SOS group general manager Franck Baron
Insurance Insight caught up with Franck Baron the group general manager, risk management and insurance at International SOS about his new role as chairman of the Pan-Asian Risk & Insurance Management Association (PARIMA).
Zurich cuts stake in New China Life
Zurich has reduced its stake in New China Life Insurance Company to 9.4%.
Heavy rains cause flooding and mudslides in China
Days of heavy rain across the mountainous Yunnan and Sichuan provinces of southwestern China have caused widespread flooding and triggered landslides.
Europe's cyber market could be worth €900m by 2018 says Allianz
Allianz expects to hold a fifth of the European cyber market by 2018 and forecasts significant growth in the product line outside of the US, a board member said on Wednesday.
AIG takes yacht protection to Australia
AIG private client group has extended its yacht insurance product to Australia.
BNP Paribas Cardif enters joint venture with Bank of Beijing
BNP Paribas Cardif is expanding into the Chinese market with a joint venture with Bank of Beijing.
Crawford appoints Chen as general manager for Taipei
Crawford & Company has appointed Dr Leo Chen as general manager at its Taipei office.
Whiplash fraud “minimal” in Hong Kong says Kwiksure
Suspected whiplash frauds remain minimal in number in Hong Kong according to data from Asian broker Kwiksure.
Blog: The golden age of insurance?
With the global population surging, natural disasters increasing in frequency and a growing demand on natural resources, what role can the insurance industry play in the planet's future? Rowan Douglas explains.
Europe: Draining energy
Europe was fast out of the blocks with its carbon emissions schemes but the financial downturn and the emergence of Asia and Latin America is threatening its future, Steve Kingshott writes.
Changing climate brings 'new normal', says Geneva Association
The Geneva Association, a leading think tank of the global insurance industry, is worried some areas in the world are becoming uninsurable because of climate change.
Miller poaches Asia head from JLT Specialty
Miller has appointed Simon Weaver as head of Asia with effect from 1 September.
Primary insurance growth to outstrip reinsurance says Munich Re
The global insurance market will grow strongly over the next decade, according to Munich Re’s Insurance Market Outlook published this week.
Insurance communications Bill passed in Australia
The Insurance Contracts Amendment Bill 2013 has passed through the Australia Senate. According to the Insurance Council of Australia, the Bill will help give insurers more certainty when communicating with customers electronically.
Costs of Australia's disasters could triple by 2050
Costs of natural catastrophes in Australia could rise from A$6.3bn to A$23bn by 2050 as population density and storms increase according to a new white paper.
Airmic 2013: Language shift needed to raise supply chain awareness says FM Global
Risk managers need to overcome “misleading terminology” that leads company directors to underestimate their natural catastrophe exposure, according to Stefano Tranquillo.
Lloyd's broker Besso in Australia move
Lloyd’s broker Besso has stepped up its foray into international markets with a minority investment in Sterling Insurance in Australia.
Cooper Claridge Ware co-founder promoted to CEO
Hong Kong-based health insurance broker Cooper, Claridge-Ware has appointed co-founder Christopher Claridge-Ware as the company’s new chief executive officer.