France
Axa revenues up 3.7%
Axa group results show improvement in revenues across the business, with P&C growing just over 5%.
European financial services firms struggling to create paperless offices
A new study ahead of World Paper Free Day on 25 October suggests that the paperless office remains beyond the reach of many European firms.
European insurers still not transparent on exec pay and tax havens, claims report
Analysis of 31 European banks and insurance companies in four areas of corporate social responsibility has found that nearly 50 points separate the best and worst scores.
French motor market to shift following annuity policy change
The re-evaluation of motor annuities by the French government will create long-term challenges for French motor insurers, according to Willis Re, the reinsurance arm of broker Willis Group.
Risk management linked to good corporate performance
Maturity of risk management processes is correlated with sustainable improvements in corporate performance, according to the 2012 Risk Management Benchmarking Survey of the Federation of European Risk Management Associations.
Q&A: Zurich's Steve Green
Regulation, compliance and a difficult trading environment are posing problems for insurance companies in Europe, but the region still has huge potential. Steve Green, middle market network leader at Zurich, explains how to grasp the opportunities for…
Nearly half of insurers won't be Solvency II ready by 2014
While 57% of insurers across Europe think they are on track to comply with Solvency II by January 2014, readiness varies significantly by country, according to Ernst & Young.
Groupama downgraded after non-payment of coupon
Groupama Group has been downgraded by Standard and Poor's following the French insurer's statement on Friday that it will not pay the next coupon on 22 October on junior subordinated notes issued in 2007.
Miller opens Paris office
Specialist broker Miller has opened an office in Paris in a bid to increase its reinsurance presence in Europe.
Axa launches Simple second wave
French insurer Axa has expanded its Simple product range designed to be traded online.
XL adds seven new hires to continental casualty team
XL has added seven underwriters to its casualty team to meet the growing demand for liability solutions throughout Europe.
French treasury to raise €800m via tax on insurers
French insurers and reinsurers face a 7% hike in the exit tax on capitalisation reserves, if proposals in the 2013 budget go ahead.
Pricing and claims improving in French GI sector
The French general insurance sector's outlook is stable, despite weak volume growth over the past 12 months, according to Fitch.
Covéa launches in UK
Covéa Insurance, the business created from the merger of MMA Insurance and Provident Insurance, launched today, promising to deliver "the quality, consistency and financial reassurance that our broker partners and customers value".
Covéa Insurance CEO Reader looking ahead following official launch
Covéa Insurance, the business formed following the merger of MMA Insurance and Provident Insurance, has been officially launched today.
European floods: keeping the funds flowing
Floods are an on-going threat for Europe, yet the approach to insuring and recovering from them is wide and varied. Francesca Nyman investigates how Europe is tackling the issue and what the future is likely to bring.
New XL office to serve mid-market France
XL Group has opened a new insurance office in Lyon to serve companies and broking houses in the south east of France.
New member joins Ferma board
Isabel Martinez, a member of the Spanish risk management association AGERS, has joined the board of the Federation of European Risk Management Associations.
Amrae appoints full-time CEO to cope with growth
Amrae, the French risk managers association, has appointed Bénédicte Huot de Luze as chief executive.
Pinsent Masons opens Paris office
International law firm Pinsent Masons has opened an office in Paris as it targets insurance work in mainland Europe.
Allianz board members to swap jobs
Oliver Bäte and Dieter Wemmer will exchange roles from 1 January 2013, it was announced at a supervisory board meeting yesterday.
Transsexual policy holders entitled to breast enlargement, German court rules
Male-to-female transsexuals can claim for breast enlargement surgery under their insurance policy if hormone therapy fails to give them a feminine shape, a German court has ruled.
Casualty insurers warned about recent legal deveopments
A ruling on pesticide manufacturers' liability, reforms to Spanish law on directors' and officers' cover and more stringent rules for Polish motor insurers, are among recent legislative changes with implications for European casualty insurers.
Axa France direct boss to head up UK arm
Axa UK has appointed Yves Masson as CEO of personal direct and partnerships.