Europe
Zurich appoints global chief marketing officer
Zurich has promoted Monika Schulze to the position of chief marketing officer across the group.
Europe: Construction firms rush for the emerging El Dorado
Emerging countries need, more than ever before, to dramatically improve their infrastructure systems in order to maintain their GDP growth rate.
Christmas storms tipped to cost industry £400m
The UK insurance industry is facing a bill of around £400m for storms and flooding throughout December and January, PwC insurance partner Mohammad Khan said today.
Calm 2013 US hurricane season reduced nat cat claims by 50%
According to Munich Re, insured losses from natural catastrophes globally last year declined to around $31bn compared with $65bn in 2012 and the average for the last ten years of $56bn.
European windstorms caused most December damage
According to catastrophe modeling firm Impact Forecasting windstorms in Europe caused the largest amounts of insured losses globally in December.
Aviva and Sampo floated as potential suitors for RSA
Investment bank UBS has lifted its price target on RSA from 100p to 113p and issued a buy rating for the insurer, based on the prospect of a consortium bid for the firm led by Scandinavian rival Sampo.
Piracy: Safer seas
With a more stable Somalia and improved maritime security, will the downward trend in piracy attacks continue, or will incidents in East African and South-East Asian waters ensure rough seas in future?
Axa retains top spot in AM Best insurer rankings
French insurer Axa has held on to the top spot in the AM Best ranking of largest insurers by net premiums written, with Allianz climbing into third place.
Moody’s predicts strong growth for Asian P&C market in 2014
Ratings agency Moody’s is predicting strong growth in the Asian property and casualty insurance sector for 2014 with moderate growth forecast for the European region.
France declares state of natural catastrophe on Reunion Island
A deadly cyclone has seen France declare a state of natural catastrophe on the Indian Ocean territory of Reunion Island.
Alternative reinsurance capacity 'here to stay' after record 2013 ILS issuance
Insurers will continue to find plentiful reinsurance capacity for property-catastrophe risks following rate reductions secured in the January 2014 renewals, according to Guy Carpenter.
Storms hit German insurers for €7bn
Floods and hailstorms through 2013 are set to cost German insurers almost €7bn according to the German Insurance Association.
Johnson to take on Davey's EMEA role at FM Global
FM Global has confirmed that Chris Johnson, former senior vice president and division manager for Asia Pacific, will take on the EMEA division manager role vacated by Kenneth Davey.
Willis predicts unprofitable airlines market by 2015 as soft market continues
Unprecedented levels of competition, growth in exposures and low loss levels are driving premium reductions for insurance buyers during the busy airline renewal season according Willis Group Holdings.
Helvetia increases its share in Nationale Suisse
Helvetia Group has cemented itself as a core shareholder in Nationale Suisse after one of its businesses increased its stake to 12.7%.
Europe: Ecall opportunities
What does the long-anticipated road safety initiative Ecall – set to be introduced across the EU in October 2015 – mean for the insurance industry?
Willis names Owens as CEO of amalgamated captive business
Willis Group has appointed Paul Owens as chief executive of the newly formed Willis Global Captive Management business.
S&P affirms AA- rating for Swiss Re
Ratings agency Standard and Poors has affirmed its AA- rating of Swiss Re and predicts the rating will remain stable in the long-term.
Hiscox merges UK & Ireland and Europe businesses
Hiscox is to merge its UK and Ireland business and its European operation into one unit entitled Hiscox UK and Europe.
External candidate expected to replace Lee at RSA as sale speculation mounts
Analysts say firm could seek to raise capital by selling international operations
Lloyd’s first-ever female CEO Inga Beale signals new era for insurance industry
Canopius CEO’s experience makes her ‘ideal’ replacement for Richard Ward
Post magazine – 19/26 December 2013
The latest issue of Post Magazine is now available for Post subscribers. Download the latest Post iOS App Edition on the App Store or read the Post Digital Edition online.
Gallagher acquires Bergvall Marine
Arthur J. Gallagher has acquired Norway-based marine broker Bergvall Marine for an undisclosed fee.
International: Europe boards the telematics train
European powerhouse Germany is the latest country to show an appetite for collecting driving data. But the global spread isn’t stopping there.