Europe
Europe: Qualifications beyond the nations?
The UK insurance market has a very clear approach to professionalism and qualifications - but how does it compare with the rest of Europe?
14% of EU insurers fail 'baseline' EU stress tests
A test of more than half of Europe’s insurers by market share has found that one in twelve are currently likely to fail to meet solvency capital requirements when the Solvency II regime launches in just over a year.
Insurance Europe unveils new committee chairs
Insurance Europe has revealed the new leadership of its committees, handing a leading role to Lloyd’s head of government policy and affairs Alastair Evans.
Europe: IP intelligence insures against application fraud
How can European insurers use internet protocol intelligence such as location verification to tackle fraud, asks Steve Sawyer of Digital Element
Europe: Ukraine - a wait and see game
Will the recent and ongoing turmoil in Ukraine and the exit of Russian insurers from the region mean new opportunities for Western insurers?
Europe: Global fraud and corruption trends
Are there any common characteristics between fraudsters across the globe? And what can insurers learn from these common themes? Hitesh Patel and James Maycock take a look
C-Suite - Insurer: Is Solvency II worth all the hype?
In just 13 months Solvency II will be implemented – but what does this actually mean?
Chubb appoints George as European operations director
Chubb's Lynn George has been appointed European chief operations director at the insurer.
Insurance Europe hopeful IMD II will not burden insurers
The final revised text of the second edition of the Insurance Mediation Directive should result in a solution that both benefits policyholders and is not unnecessarily burdensome for the insurance industry, according to Insurance Europe.
Europe C-Suite: Infrastructure investment - if the yield is right
Investing in infrastructure projects such as transport and energy could represent new opportunities for insurers keen to diversify
Large losses below expectations at Catlin despite aviation disasters
Catlin has achieved third quarter gross written premium growth in line with its business strategy after chalking up a GWP rise of 11% to $4.89bn (£3.1bn) (Q3 2013: $4.42bn) for the period.
Equinox Global expands its presence in France
Equinox Global, the Lloyd’s cover holder, has appointed Vladimir Malenic at Equinox France, which recently moved into a new central Paris office.
IWDC14: Mapfre direct business 'on the right path' following DLG deal
Mapfre global direct insurance managing director Jose Luis Bernal has credited the acquisition of Direct Line Group’s German and Italian businesses with helping put his firm’s direct proposition “on the right path”.
Ferma calls for IBER renewal
The Federation of European Risk Management Associations has called for renewal of the Insurance Block Exemption Regulation for insurance and reinsurance pools.
IMD II heads for European Parliament negotiations
The second edition of the Insurance Mediation Directive is to head for the European Parliament for negotiations over adoption following approval from the European Council.
IWDC14: Commissions and Solvency II on Spanish regulator's agenda
Fees and commissions feature prominently on the Spanish insurance and pensions regulator’s agenda, despite a significant focus being placed on the transposition of Solvency II.
Europe: Ireland update
David Worsfold takes a look at how the recovery of the Irish economy, as well as challenges such as regulation from Europe, is affecting Irish insurers and brokers
Munich Re hikes 2014 profit forecast beyond €3bn
Munich Re is confident it will now exceed a forecast full year profit of €3bn for 2014 following strong performance in Q3.
Zurich's global Q3 profits fall 6%
Zurich's global profits in Q3 2014 fell 6% compared to Q3 2013, however the insurer's overall profits are up so far this year.
Aon Benfield swoops for Adriatic reinsurance broker
Aon Benfield has purchased a Greece and Cyprus focused reinsurance broker, recruiting 11 local staff in the process.
Zurich completes sale of Russian retail business
Zurich Insurance Group has completed the sale of its general insurance retail business in Russia to OLMA Group.
Europe: Environmental Liability Directive – the polluter pays principle
On 30 April, 2007 the European Directive 2004/35/EC, regarding the prevention and remedying of environmental damage, had to be transposed into local legislation by all European member states.
Deputy Editor's Comment: Looking beyond the EU rhetoric
Is it impossible for anyone in public office to talk about the European Union without expressing or feigning anger for their own side’s short-term political gain? It seems that way this week.
Expanded mandatory motor insurance could mean increase in MIB levies
DfT, ABI, Biba and MIB to meet next month to discuss potential changes