Europe
Achmea completes OVO acquisition
Dutch insurer Achmea has completed the acquisition of mutual government insurer Onderlinge Verzekeringen Overheid.
Ergo launches modular home contents policy
Munich-Re owned Ergo Insurance has launched a new home contents policy for the German market.
April Group to hire Orkney-based business consultant
The UK arm of France's April Group is looking to appoint a permanent business consultant in the Orkney Islands after growing demand for its medical and income protection policies.
Zelle Hofmann opens London office
Law firm Zelle Hofmann Voelbel & Mason is opening a London office in January to address the growing needs of clients in the London and European insurance markets.
Reinsurers back Zurich quake bond
Munich Re and Swiss Re have acted as joint lead structuring agents in a $270m (£166m) catastrophe bond transaction that transfers North American earthquake risk to the capital markets, on behalf of Zurich Insurance Group.
IAIS finalises policy for 'too big to fail' insurers
The International Association of Insurance Supervisors is finalising policy proposals for the risk management of globally systemically important insurers, or G-SIIs, commonly referred to as ‘too big to fail’.
Gable is likely takeover target, says investment bank
Gable's appointment as a Towergate trading partner in December is "further evidence that it has established itself as an accepted provider of insurance products", according to Panmure Gordon, which has listed the Lichtenstein-domiciled insurer as its …
Miller hires facultative broker
Facultative reinsurance broker Charlotte Condon has joined Miller's reinsurance team in London.
MEP says gender ruling "flies in face of common sense"
Marina Yannakoudakis, MEP for London and Conservative Women's Rights spokesman in the European Parliament, has criticised the EU’s gender-neutral pricing rules which took effect on 21 December 2012.
Groupama cuts stake in Société Générale
French insurer Groupama has reduced its direct and indirect shareholding in French banking group Société Générale.
Aviva France appoints new CEO after Maso y Guell Rivet resigns
Philippe Maso y Guell Rivet has resigned as chief executive of Aviva France after 18 months in the role.
Tax changes cause new year headaches for European insurers
Tax changes that came into effect in Denmark, Hungary and the Netherlands on 1 January 2013 could pose challenges for insurers and brokers.
Lloyd's reveals Superstorm Sandy claims could hit $2.5bn
Lloyd's has announced today that its estimated net claims before tax from Superstorm Sandy are between $2bn and $2.5bn.
Top five European news stories
The top five European news stories from www.insuranceinsight.com over the past seven days.
Europe's insurers more insulated against crisis than banks
European insurers have proved more resilient than their banking counterparts in the current financial crisis, but are still vulnerable to economic shocks, Moody's said today.
Europe: a home for aggregators?
This year has seen aggregators bought and sold across Europe. Francesca Nyman investigates whether Europe can provide a home for them or whether their time has passed.
European regulation: the data, systems and processes challenge
As Solvency II implantation moves back, insurers might be forgiven for pausing to catch their breath but, as Richard Hart and Christian Schmid explain, this is actually the time for reviewing strategic data opportunities.
Aetna bolsters international PMI team
Aetna International has appointed Caroline Pain as head of international marketing and Gary Impett as business development manager to develop its insurance business in continental Europe, the UK and Ireland.
XL Group appoints Marsh's Lineham to political risk team
XL Group has appointed David Lineham to its political risk and trade credit team.
ERV Italy Facebook fans win 10% discount on travel cover
Italian consumers can now buy travel insurance from ERV via an e-commerce module on the firm's Facebook page as part of a new social media push.
Think tank suggests early intervention for systemically risky insurers
Insurers deemed to pose systemic risk should face three steps as part of an escalating "ladder of intervention", according to the Geneva Association.
Willis launches cover for offshore decommissioning risks
The energy industry faces new risks associated with decommissioning and dismantling oil and gas installations when they reach the end of their productive life, Willis Energy has warned.
US consolidator aquires Paul Napier
London-based Lloyd's broker Paul Napier has been sold to to US insurance broking consolidator Assured Partners for an undisclosed sum.
Europe View from the Top: Telematics standards for motor insurance
The backdrop to the introduction of telematics-based technology in cars is by now a familiar story, linked to the European Union Gender Directive being implemented across Europe.