Europe
Scor reports 19% growth at treaty renewals
P&C and specialty treaty renewals at end of June have resulted in premium growth of 19% at constant exchange rates, whilst fully respecting the technical underwriting profitability criteria.
Ageas announces Turkish disposal
Ageas has reached an agreement with BNP Paribas Assurance on the sale of its pension and life activities in Turkey.
QBE adopts US dollar for reporting as it forecasts 40% profit drop
QBE has decided to adopt a US dollar presentation currency for 2010 onwards, as it is claims this is more relevant for measuring performance given that around 75% of business is now written in 48 overseas countries, and over 50% of annualised premium…
JLT strikes Euro alliance with three continental powerhouses
Three European independent insurance brokers, Siaci Saint Honore, Greco Group and Ecclesia Group have come together with Jardine Lloyd Thompson to sign an exclusive trading agreement.
Swiss giant swoops for Belgium business
Eureko and Baloise have signed an agreement which will lead to the sale and purchase of Avéro Insurance in Belgium.
Dutch client win for Barrie & Hibbert
Holland's general insurer Eureko, has agreed a deal to use Barrie & Hibbert's economic scenario generator across its entire business.
Insurance Insight: Benchmark bribery legislation for Europe
This week’s Insurance Insight update is now live.
Benchmark bribery legislation for Europe
European organisations may have been given a brief rest bite with the announcement of the delay to the UK Bribery Act but Andrew Gillett explains why this time would be best used putting measures and systems in place to comply with the act.
Zurich appoints head of government and industry affairs
Swiss insurer Zurich Financial Services Group has appointed Dan Dunmoyer to the position of head of government and industry affairs for the Americas with immediate effect.
Allianz unveils motor realignment
Allianz is realigning the structure of the unit responsible for its automotive cooperations - Global Automotive.
Mapfre H1 revenues rise 9.2%
Increased international business and the recovery of sales in Spain has helped boost growth revenues at Mapfre.
APC boosts Irish operation
APC has boosted its claims team to support its recent expansion into the Republic of Ireland market.
Aviva and RSA among firms studying Quinn bid memo
UK insurance giants Aviva and RSA have been named among the potential bidders for Quinn Insurance, according to a report this morning.
Quinn jobs saved after business picks up
Seventy-five jobs at Quinn Insurance in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, which were to be lost will now be saved, it has been reported.
Willis: Aon backtrack on contingent commissions is "wake up" call to the market
Willis claims Aon's announcement that it would resume accepting contingent commissions “where appropriate and legally permissible” is a wake up call to insurance buyers.
Irish regulator spells out stance on client premiums
The Financial Regulator in Ireland has published the findings of an examination of compliance by insurance intermediaries, with the rules governing the handling of client premiums and the operation of client premium accounts.
Adjuster appoints new Greek head
Charles Taylor adjusting has appointed James Greene as director of its average adjusting business, Richards Hogg Lindley (Hellas), in Piraeus, Greece.
Belarusian B&B Insurance downgraded by AM Best
Balarus-based B&B Insurance Co, OJSI has had its financial strength rating downgraded to C (weak) from C++ (marginal) and the insurer credit rating reduced to ‘ccc+’ from ‘b+’, by ratings agency AM Best.
Fitch: QIS5 unlikley to impact insurer ratings
Fitch Ratings said today that the final quantitative impact study QIS5 specifications do not materially alter Fitch's view on the likely impact of Solvency II on its insurance ratings.
Lloyd's welcomes US bill as step towards Solvency II harmonisation
Lloyd's welcomed the passage of the Dodd-Frank financial reform bill through the Senate yesterday.
Insurance Insight’s weekly update is now live
This latest initiative from the team behind the UK's market-leading general insurance weekly Post is dedicated to the European general insurance market and we will be providing news, analysis, comment and features focused on different territories.
Insurance Insight: The European Challenge of Multinational Insurance
As companies rapidly expand across Europe insurance programmes are increasingly needed to cross national borders. This throws up a multitude of problems but Suresh Krishnan and Denis Whelan explain how some of these can be overcome.
Euro bounces back after four year low
The euro has today gained over 10 cents against the USD, taking it to 1.2986. The rise follows the euro hitting a 4 year low in June.
ABI: travel claims hit all time high
Figures released today by the Association of British Insurers highlight that the cost of falling ill abroad has hit a record high, as travel insurers helped a record number of people needing emergency medical treatment while overseas.