Europe
HDI Gerling unveils new name
HDI Gerling Industrie Versicherung has rebranded to operate under the name HDI Global SE with immediate effect.
Capital capacity remains in reinsurance market as Solvency II hits
Excess capacity in reinsurance will continue through 2016 with European companies already factoring Solvency II into their buying strategies, according to analysis from Guy Carpenter.
Thousands of policyholders see refund from Iceland-based Eric
More than 2600 customers of the failed Iceland-based insurer European Risk Insurance Company (Eric) have received premium refunds from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
Europe: What the new privacy regulations mean for insurance services providers
It's almost upon us. After an epic journey, the much vaunted overhaul of European data protection rules has arrived, placing a tougher compliance burden not only on insurers, but also on companies that provide services to them.
Global reinsurance capital levels firm at £273bn, says Guy Carpenter
Overall capital levels for reinsurance have stabilised, with no growth seen for the first time in several years, according to a report from Guy Carpenter.
Technology: The future of farming
The rural idyll of the UK's farmlands may be the last place many would expect to find a technological revolution. However, as the Internet of Things continues its steady creep into every aspect of life, Britain's agricultural industry has not been left…
Amlin completes merger of two of its subsidiaries
Amlin yesterday (4 January) completed the merger of its two insurance company subsidiaries, Amlin Europe and Amlin Insurance (UK).
LSM expands casualty presence in Germany
Liberty Specialty Markets has improved its German position, appointing a four-strong casualty team in Cologne.
AIG's Baldwin takes on UK CEO role following McNamee exit
AIG Europe CEO and board director Anthony Baldwin has been appointed CEO of AIG in the UK.
Acquisition of French broker Gras Savoye finalised
Willis Group has completed its acquisition of French insurance broker, Gras Savoye.
Insured catastrophe losses were $27bn in 2015, says Munich Re
Insured natural catastrophe losses were $27bn (£18.3bn) in 2015 down from $31bn in 2014 and an average of $34bn over the past 30 years according to reinsurance giant Munich Re.
EY predicts busy 2016 for insurers with SII implementation
Professional services firm EY has warned insurers and regulators to prepare for a busy 2016 as companies start to embed the Solvency II Directive.
Liberty poaches TMK property team for Madrid office
Liberty Specialty Markets is writing property insurance business from its Madrid office for the first time with the appointment of a new team from Tokio Marine Kiln.
Legal Update: Hover with caution
The arrival of hoverboards in 2015 suggested that, as in Back to the Future, technology had found yet another innovative and entertaining way to enhance our transport options, even if it was difficult to know if a hoverboard was just an advanced toy or a…
ABI reassures policyholders they will not be affected by SII
UK insurers are well-prepared for the implementation of Solvency II capital rules on 1 January 2016, according to the Association of British Insurers, which has assured policyholders they will not notice any changes under the new scheme.
Fitch downgrades French non-life sector forecast
The French non-life insurance sector has seen a revised outlook to negative from Fitch Ratings, moving the sector from its previously stable rating.
New CEO for Nordics, Russia and Turkey at AGCS
Peter Hecht-Hansen has been appointed CEO of Nordics, Russia & Turkey at Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty, subject to regulatory approval.
The Standard Syndicate increases reach Scandinavia
The Standard Syndicate 1884 has extended its distribution into Scandinavia, appointing Hydor AS as a Lloyd’s coverholder.
Europe: Russian insurance market, preliminary 2015 results and 2016 forecasts
Post asks experts at the Central Bank of Russia to share their views on how the domestic insurance market fared in 2015, and their predictions for the coming year.
DWF to acquire German law firm Bridgehouse Law
Defendant law firm DWF is to acquire German international commercial firm Bridgehouse Law on 1 January 2016.
GAP product to go to market via Maltese PCC
Maltese protected cell company Building Block will partner with UK-based broker Nova Insurance to provide a new guaranteed asset protection (GAP) product.
Incoming Zurich CEO advised to 'regroup' as possible Senn successors are mooted
Zurich's next global CEO must focus on improving the company's property and casualty underwriting performance, with commentators pitching Mark Wilson and Tom Bolt among the front runners for the insurer's top job.
European Council adopts insurance distribution directive
The European Council today (14 December) adopted a directive establishing new rules on insurance distribution designed to improve consumer protection for insurance products.
Lockton grows marine presence with Italian and Singaporean investments
Broker Lockton has expanded its marine and protection and indemnity business by acquiring Genoa-headquartered Italian broker PL Ferrari & Co.