Europe
Insurers should have been prepared for 2011 cat losses, says AIR
Insured losses in 2011 from global natural catastrophes exceeded $110bn, according to industry sources, the second highest figure ever recorded.
Two thirds of German homes not covered for natural hazards
Over two thirds of householders in Germany are not insured against damage by extreme weather conditions, according to Munich Re's primary insurance arm Ergo.
Rising kidnap risk amid Eurozone unrest
The rising risk of abductions as a result of social unrest in the Eurozone is creating opportunities for insurers specialising in kidnap and ransom policies.
MicroEnsure targets Asia with Telnor JV
MicroEnsure has formed a joint venture with mobile operator Telnor, with the aim of providing microinsurance products to four than four million people in Africa and Asia.
Top five European stories
The top five European stories from www.insuranceinsight.com over the past seven days.
Consumers see insurance as essential not discretionary spend
When it comes to reducing expenses, European consumers are cutting back on discretionary areas such as dining out, holidays and clothing, but still see insurance as essential.
Blog: Extra-terrestrial threat
In the wake of the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks report many have focused on the impact of climate change, digital wildfires, drug resistant diseases...
S&P warns of "mounting pressure" on global insurers
The credit quality of global multi-line insurers is generally sound, despite a downward trend over the past four years, Standard and Poor's said today.
Ace hires Achmea's P&C manager
Ace Group has hired Benoît Chasseguet as marine manager for Continental Europe, including the Central and Eastern European region.
Xchanging hails successful launch of settlement platform
Business processing outsourcer Xchanging has gone live with phase one of Netsett, a global net settlement platform launched in September 2012.
Sandy loss "comfortably" within budget, says Hannover Re
Losses arising from Superstorm Sandy are within Hannover Re's major loss budget for 2012 after the firm estimated a €261m net burden of loss from last October's storm.
Scope Technologies joins Amaguiz to launch telematics service
Technology provider Scope Technologies has joined forces with Groupama subsidiary Amaguiz to provide pay-as-you drive insurance for French consumers.
Aon Benfield warns insurers to consider severe space weather events
Aon Benfield has advised the insurance industry to consider the potential ramifications of a severe space weather event, as solar and geomagnetic activity is predicted to peak in the next 12 months.
Ironshore adds Calnan to international offshore energy team
Ironshore Europe has appointed Paul Calnan to lead its international offshore energy expansion.
Bomb blasts rock Pakistan
Powerful bombs in the cities of Quetta in southwest Pakistan, and Mingora in Pakistan's north-western Swat valley, killed over 100 people and wounded 200 more on January 10.
"March madness" awaits EU motor insurers
Insurers that fail to embrace telematics in the wake of gender neutral pricing rules will see massive volumes go to more "switched-on" peers, according to Coverbox.
European View from the Top: The tax obligation
On 9 December 2012, Danny Alexander, Chief Secretary to HM Treasury, told multinational firms that paying UK corporation tax is an obligation, not "a voluntary choice" they can make to please their customers.
European environmental liability options
Environmental damage costs have hit the headlines in recent years and the European Commission is looking at the option of a fund to control them. But, as Sam Barrett finds out, the insurance industry is not the number one fan of this idea.
Ferma appoints full time European adviser
The Federation of European Risk Management Associations has appointed Julien Bedhouche as its first full time European adviser.
Ferma appoints full-time European adviser
The Federation of European Risk Management Associations has appointed French national Julien Bedhouche as its first full time European affairs adviser.
Data protection rules must accommodate insurers says Insurance Europe
The European Commission's proposed new data regulation could have unintended negative consequences for insurers and consumers, Insurance Europe has warned.
Drive-by attacks top cyber threat list
Drive-by exploits are the top threat facing web users today, according to the European Union's cyber security agency ENISA.
Integer.pl Group to enter Polish insurance market
Polish courier firm Integer.pl Group has joined up with RSA subsidiary LINK4 to sell insurance products via its postal network throughout the country.
Eurozone insurers' assets reached €5,896bn in Q3
The total financial assets of euro area insurance corporations and pension funds increased to €7,500bn in the third quarter of 2012, up from €7,296bn in the previous quarter, statistics published by the European Central Bank showed.