Europe
UK P&I club calls for 'zero tolerance culture' on enclosed space entry as casualties blight shipping industry
Accidents relating to entry into enclosed spaces have resulted in a large number of deaths of both ship and shore personnel so far this year, says the UK P&I Club, calling for more to be done to prevent these casualties.
Lloyd's finds £3trn of GDP at risk from disasters around the world
A Lloyd's index has found a total of $4.6trn (£3trn) of projected gross domestic product is at risk from manmade and natural disasters in cities around the world.
Swiss insurer Helvetia increases profits and records dynamic growth
Helvetia has recorded a "very satisfying business performance" for the first half of 2015, which it claims reflects the successful acquisitions of Nationale Suisse and Basler Austria last year.
Fosun's insurance profits increased 15-fold in first half
Chinese conglomerate Fosun's insurance profits in the first six months of 2015 climbed 1463% to 1.79bn yuan (£182m) compared to the same period last year.
Peak Re grows strongly in Europe and the US
Hong Kong-based reinsurer Peak Re is growing strongly in Europe and the US.
Marock defends adjusting business as 'fundamentally sound' despite profit drop
Charles Taylor group CEO David Marock said the company's long-term strategy for its adjusting division will enable it to support its clients once the claims environment returns to a normal level.
Profits up 28% at Charles Taylor as group plots acquisitions
Professional services firm Charles Taylor has reported a 28.1% increase in pre-tax profits to £5.3m (H1 2014: £4.1m) alongside a 21.7% rise in revenue to £69.1m (H1 2014: £56.8m) for the first six months of 2015.
AM Best warns of limited investment options for insurers
European insurers are well positioned to withstand the current stock market volatility, having made significant changes to their investment portfolios in recent years, according to AM Best.
Zurich proposes 550p a share cash offer for RSA
Swiss giant Zurich made a proposal this morning (25 August) to purchase RSA's entire share capital in cash for 550p a share, which RSA's board said it could recommend subject to further negotiations.
Zurich asks RSA to extend bid timeframe
Zurich has asked RSA for more time to make a formal offer for the business ahead of the bid deadline tomorrow, according to reports.
Swedish pet insurance market a model for UK players
The UK pet insurance market could learn a lot from its competitors in Sweden, according to technology firm Aquarium, particularly collaborating with partner agencies such as veterinarians and the police.
Dynamo Analytics appoints director to lead entry into Nordic market
Dynamo Analytics’ new recruit Lori Tan is to head up the actuarial modelling and analytics specialist consultancy’s move into Norway.
C-Suite: Shipowners benefit from lower rates in economic choppy waters
How have marine insurers responded to the financial challenges facing the shipping industry? Positively, is the short answer; part of this positive response has been deliberate, part has been fortuitous.
QBE gains in first half from asset sales and improved COR; CEO targets growth
Sydney-headquartered QBE saw a 24% rise in first half after tax profits to $488m (£331m) compared with $392m in the first half of last year.
Integro boosts aviation presence with division acquisition
Broker Integro has acquired the aviation division of AFL Insurance Brokers creating an additional UK-based aviation team.
Telematics firm Scope Technologies expands in Thailand and Germany
German insurer HDI Gerling and Thai company Bangkok Insurance have agreed pay-as-you-drive deals with telematics provider Scope Technologies.
Disaster losses reach £23.7bn in H1 2015
Total economic losses from natural catastrophes and man-made disasters reached $37bn (£23.7bn) in the first half of 2015, according to Swiss Re.
C-Suite: Embracing the cloud
Insurance companies are increasingly embracing the cloud but concerns remain.
Bauer to leave Allianz
Manuel Bauer, head of insurance growth markets, Allianz is leaving at the end of August.
Allianz Group estimates 2015 operating profit at upper target range
Operating profit in Allianz Group's property and casualty division rose 29.7% to €1.35bn (£952m) in the second quarter of 2015 as the company confirmed its operating profit outlook for the full year would reach €10.8bn.
Munich Re upgrades profit estimate after drop in major losses
Munich Re has upgraded its profit forecast for 2015 to above €3bn after tax (£2.1bn) on the back of encouraging second quarter results.
Large losses and rising expenses hamper Zurich's first half global results
Zurich blamed a 15% fall in pre-tax global profits to $2.2bn (£1.4bn) in the first half of 2015 on a significantly lower contribution from its GI business.
Partner Re agrees to Exor's $6.9bn all cash offer
Bermuda-based Partner Re has agreed to sell to Italian investment firm Exor after it made a $6.9bn (£4.4bn) all cash offer.
Top 30 European Insurers: The cream of the crop
Post, in association with AM Best, has compiled a list of the top 30 European non-life insurers. How have the rankings changed since 2013 – and how have currency fluctuations changed the standings of those dealing primarily in US dollars?