Europe
Swiss Re Corporate Solutions appoints head of EMEA
Swiss Re Corporate Solutions, has appointed Tony Buckle as head of its Europe, Middle East and Africa operations
Editor's comment: The ratings game
The ugly issue of rated v unrated insurers has once again been pushed up the agenda, with news this week that the Solicitors Regulation Authority plans to roll out a consultation on the possibility of a ban on unrated or low‑ranking insurers from its …
Costa Concordia: Two years on
Two years after the Costa Concordia ran aground, it has finally been given a date to be removed. What has happened in the marine market in the intervening period?
BMS joins forces with research institute for ERM solution
Independent insurance specialty firm BMS Group has entered into an exclusive partnership with research institute RTI International to offer enterprise risk management services.
Ace enhances D&O cover as liability and cyber top emerging risks poll
Ace has enhanced its directors' and officers' cover for the UK and Irish markets in response to market developments and feedback from its broker panel.
Blue Insurances buyout co-founder for almost €10m
Online travel insurance broker Blue Insurances has completed a buyout of one of its founding directors, and shareholder, Rowan Devereux for just under €10m.
Riskier investments may hit ratings warns Fitch
Increasingly risky investments by European insurers could see the firms suffer in their ratings, Fitch has warned.
Europe: Turkey – The new production powerhouse
Andrew Kemp, regional director, EMEA for freight transport insurance provider TT Club looks at the growing economy of Turkey, its growing trade potential and the ramifications for freight transport operators.
Windstorm Xaver property losses were €680m, according to Perils
Perils, which provides catastrophe insurance data has released an initial loss estimate for December windstorm Xaver, which affected Western and Northern Europe, of €680m for insured property losses.
Sales of cyber-insurance climbed 30% in 2013 at AIG
AIG saw a 30% rise in sales last year compared to 2012 of the specialist insurance that protects companies from data breaches and cyber attacks.
Allianz warns on interconnectivity of risks
Business interruption, the supply chain, natural catastrophes, fire and explosions are the main global risks to businesses according to the third annual Allianz Risk Barometer, which surveyed over 400 corporate insurance experts from 33 countries.
C-Suite: Look east for growth opportunities
To grow and prosper, all businesses need to seek new territories and then adapt their model to the needs of the local market. This is especially true of modern Lloyd’s brokers, for which simply being in London ceased to be the ultimate competitive…
Dual recruits from Jubilee for European business development boss
Hyperion-owned Dual has recruited Jubilee’s group head of marketing for a role as director of European business development.
R&Q completes Chevanstell transfer
The business of Chevanstell, which traded in the UK as Tryg-Baltica International UK before going into run-off, has become part of R&Q Insurance (Malta) following a part VII transfer.
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.