Europe
Willis appoints Plumeri successor
Willis' board of directors has chosen Dominic Casserley, pictured, as the company's next chief executive.
HDI Gerling CEO to head AGCS' Mediterranean unit
Patrick Thiels, chief executive of HDI Gerling in Belgium and Luxembourg, will join Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty from 1 April to lead the insurer's new Mediterranean division.
Capital remains strong for Europe's primary insurers, says AM Best
The Eurozone crisis continues to be among the most significant challenges facing insurers, although capital is strong for the European primary insurance market, according to a new report from ratings agency AM Best.
Allianz subordinated bond assigned A2 rating by Moody's
Moody's has assigned an A2(hyb) rating to the 30-year €1.5bn subordinated bond to be issued by Allianz SE.
EU extends Iran sanctions to natural gas
The European Union has bolstered sanctions against Iran, including banning the importing of natural gas from the country owing to a "lack of progress in nuclear talks".
UK GI market under pressure to focus on pricing
Market conditions for UK non-life insurers remain challenging as the difficult economic environment curbs demand for cover and insurers can no longer rely on reserve releases to improve profitability.
Lemma Insurance Company downgraded
Lemma Insurance Company of the Ukraine has had its issuer credit rating downgraded to 'bb' from 'bb+' and its financial strength rating of B (Fair) affirmed. The outlook for both ratings has been revised from stable to negative.
Automated weather stations bring low-cost insurance to Rwanda's farmers
As Rwandan farmers face increasingly erratic rainfall, Swiss Re has helped with the launch of an innovative programme that uses automated weather stations to provide low-cost insurance to protect farmers' loans for high-yielding seeds, fertilisers and…
Report finds opportunities for commercially viable rural livestock cover
Technological improvements and growing demand offer hope for "commercially viable and welfare-enhancing livestock insurance", despite early failures, according to a report by the International Labour Organisation and the Munich Re Foundation.
European insurers withdraw cover for Iranian oil storage
Two European insurers have withdrawn cover for tankers storing Iranian oil, according to documents seen by Reuters.
Ghana Agricultural Insurance Pool makes first payment to farmers
One hundred and thirty six farmers in the northern region of Ghana have become the first beneficiaries of payments from the drought index insurance product under the Ghana Agricultural Insurance Pool.
Mapfre opens Milan office
Spanish insurer Mapfre has opened a representative office in Milan to serve the Italian market.
Putting the brakes on European motor fraud
Motor insurance fraud ranges from uninsured driving, to cash-for-crash scams and exaggerated personal injury claims. Anne-Louise Fogtmann investigates what European insurers are doing to tackle the problem.
Delta Lloyd to use Synerscope fraud detection software
Netherlands-based insurer Delta Lloyd has agreed a deal to use technology firm Synerscope's fraud detection software.
Miller bolsters D&O team
Miller has added Colin West and Andy Brett to its directors' and officers' team.
GlobalOptions and IFIC Forensics form partnership
International anti-fraud investigator GlobalOptions has formed a partnership with British firm International Fire and Investigations Consultants, which provides forensic investigations for insurers, loss adjusters and solicitors.
R K Harrison claims art dealers' PI first
R K Harrison Insurance Services, part of the employee-owned broker R K Harrison Group, has developed what it says is the first professional indemnity insurance policy for art market professionals.
Interest rates threaten German insurers' financial strength
Low investment yields owing to persistent low interest rates are putting the financial strength of German insurers in jeopardy, Standard & Poor's said today.
Lancashire's head of marine goes to Argenta
Argenta Holdings subsidiary Argenta Syndicate Management has appointed Vincent Leonardi as marine underwriter at Argenta Syndicate 2121.
Allianz appoints UK marine hull and liability head
Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty has appointed Chris Turberville as head of marine hull and liability UK.
Groupama downgraded after non-payment of coupon
Groupama Group has been downgraded by Standard and Poor's following the French insurer's statement on Friday that it will not pay the next coupon on 22 October on junior subordinated notes issued in 2007.
Groupama parent downgrade "irrelevant" to UK insurer
Groupama Insurances's chief executive has said that a revision of the security rating of its France-based parent Groupama Group has "no relevance" on the UK insurance operation.
Global insurance federation vows advocacy role
Thirty-one insurance associations representing 87% of the worldwide insurance business formally established the Global Federation of Insurance Associations today.
Crawford appoints business development head for EMEA
Claims management firm Crawford & Company has appointed Tobias Walter as business development director for the Continental Europe, Middle East and Africa region.