Europe
Sony fined £250,000 for Playstation data breach
The UK Information Commissioner’s Office yesterday confirmed that it has fined Sony £250,000 for a ‘serious breach’ of the Data Protection Act.
RSA strengthens global specialty lines team
RSA has appointed Tony Chaudhry as Europe director for its global specialty lines business.
Vienna Insurance Group sees premium growth of 9.5%
Vienna Insurance Group posted 9.5% premium growth in the in its preliminary full year results for 2012, published today.
Interview: Bill Dewsall - It's a long way to the top
Bill Dewsall's atypical route to a major insurance role saw him leave professional cricket and drumming behind but, as he plots continued growth over the next three years, the Gable CEO can have no regrets about deciding to get a 'real job'.
European insurers look to exit run-off business
The trend of insurers looking to exit their legacy business is likely to continue over the next 12 months according to Pricewaterhouse Coopers.
Claims cost European insurers €930bn in 2011
A total of €930bn in claims was paid out by the European insurance sector in 2011 – a 7.5% increase on 2010, figures from Insurance Europe have revealed.
India's middle class boom not confined to megacities
Firms looking to supply goods and services to India’s growing middle classes should not ignore those in smaller towns and cities, according to Ambitabh Kundu, Professor of Economics, Jawakarlal Nehru university.
Insured losses 36% above 10-year-average in 2012
Natural catastrophes globally caused total economic losses of £200bn in 2012, only slightly above the 10-year-average of $187bn.
Swiss Re reorganises special lines
Swiss Re is to separate its agriculture and aviation divisions as part of a reorganisation of its special lines.
Gable gets French connection with new product
Gable Insurance has launched a rental guarantee product into the French market following successful launches in Norway and Denmark.
UK exit could impact insurance regulation
A change in the UK's relationship with the European Union would most likely affect insurers in the area of regulation, according to PwC.
Delta Lloyd lists on Brussels stock exchange
Netherlands-based insurer Delta Lloyd NV listed on the NYSE Euronext Brussels for the first time today.
EC probes impact of insurance contract law on cross-border trade
The European Commission has launched an expert group to consider the creation of a pan-European insurance contract law.
Eiopa to review long-term guarantees proposals
The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority will look into the treatment of long-term guarantees in a study starting next week.
Top five European stories
The top five European stories from www.insuranceinsight.com over the past seven days.
CV Starr underwriter joins Argo International
Argo International has appointed James Cassidy as an underwriter in its general liability team.
Insurers must back renewable energy, says Swiss Re
The insurance industry can provide key support to the development of renewable energy solutions and the mitigation of climate change, according to Swiss Re.
Philippines government looks to increase natural disaster recovery efforts
The Philippines Department of Agriculture is seeking to develop a centralised preparedness scheme for before, during and after natural disasters.
Ace reshuffles EMEA claims team
Ace Group has reshuffled its accident and health team for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Weathering the growing subsidence risk
Subsidence is increasingly frequent and research shows that, with climates getting hotter, this is only going to continue. Edmund Tirbutt looks at how the market covers subsidence and whether it will continue to do so.
European View from the Top: Meeting the challenge
Independent brokers need to address many challenges in a global environment, says Jose Manuel Dias da Fonseca.
Software firm launches Solvency II tool for Lloyd's market
Insurance investment information specialist Camradata has introduced Solvency II-compliant software to its Lloyd's clients for reporting and accounting.
Axa $850m subordinated notes assigned BBB by S&P
Standard & Poor's has assigned its BBB long-term issue rating to the $850m perpetual subordinated notes issued by French holding company Axa (A-/Stable/A-2).
European Parliament clamps down on rating agencies
Rating agencies are to have their shareholdings in rated firms capped to reduce conflict of interest under new rules approved by the European Parliament.