Italy
Analyst opinion divided on RSA dividend cut
News that RSA plans to cut its dividend has been met with a mixed reaction from the analyst community.
RSA's Brown: Commercial lines needs double-digit rate strength
RSA's chief executive of UK & Western Europe Adrian Brown has claimed the UK commercial market is "broadly underpriced by 10% to 15%".
RSA says Italy segment on track to break even in 2013
RSA posted 5% premium growth for the year ended December 2012, however its underwriting result was flat at €375m owing to adverse weather and earthquakes in Italy.
RSA's UK profit falls 37% as commercial losses take toll
RSA blamed adverse weather in the first half of 2012 and a weak marine and commercial liability performance on UK underwriting profit tumbling to £39m (2011: £62m) while the combined ratio was 98.2% (2011: 97.3%).
DLG’s international units “attractive to third parties”
Direct Line’s German and Italian businesses could prove attractive to a variety of third parties, according to Investec Securities.
Clements grows European footprint with Italsure acquisition
Insurance service provider Clements Worldwide has acquired UK-based expat insurer Italsure.
'Fully-valued' RSA on course for 95% COR
A poor claims experience on RSA's Motability book will see the insurer pushing for "significant rate increases" as it renegotiates the three-year contract this year.
Zurich and Generali linked with Spain's "bad bank"
Italy’s Generali and Switzerland’s Zurich will invest in a Spanish bank set up by the government to manage toxic property assets, according to Reuters.
Zurich GI profit falls after Sandy and German 'system error'
Operating profit in Zurich's general insurance business dropped by $150m to $2.1bn year-on-year in 2012 after above average catastrophe and weather-related losses offset gains made through tighter underwriting discipline and expense management.
French consumers least likely to go online for insurance purchases
Online comparison sites are the fastest growing distribution channel for motor and household insurance in Europe, according to Finaccord.
France lags European neighbours for aggregator use and online sales
Aggregators are the fastest-growing distribution channel for motor and household insurance in Europe while online purchases have grown rapidly across the continent, according to research from Finaccord.
Former UK GI CEO McMillan to become Aviva Europe boss as Trevor Matthews quits
David McMillan has been appointed CEO of Aviva Europe.
EMEA commercial market to remain stable in 2013
The insurance market across Europe, the Middle East and Africa is expected to remain broadly stable in 2013, according to Marsh's Insurance Market Report 2013.
Worsening economic outlook pushes up IPT
Several governments across Europe have ramped up insurance premium tax rates in response to finance deficits and a worsening economic outlook, research has shown.
Standard and Poor's commends Generali management strategy
Standard & Poor's has affirmed the 'A' long-term counterparty credit and insurer financial strength ratings of Italy-based Assicurazioni Generali and its "core" subsidiaries'.
Corporates still at risk from Eurozone economic woes
The Eurozone's economic situation may be improving, but the environment for corporates remains very difficult, according to Coface chief economist Yves Zlotowski.
Axa UK recruits new execs from Italian and French arms
Axa Insurance has raided Europe to appoint two new senior executives for its UK Direct & Partnerships arm.
Legal forecasts: Predictions on Florida, Italy, Poland and the UK for 2013
In the second of a two-part series Insurance Insight asked members of Insuralex, the global group of specialist insurance and reinsurance lawyers, to highlight their thoughts and predictions for the new year.
Generali chief eyes €600m cost savings by 2015
Generali chief executive Mario Greco unveiled a programme of changes today aimed at reducing costs and increasing cash flow at the Italian insurer.
Ageas creates new COO role to oversee Asian and European growth
Ageas UK CEO Barry Smith has been promoted to a new Ageas group role of chief operating officer.
Allianz report highlights year-over-year rise in ship losses
Twelve months on from the Costa Concordia incident, a new Allianz report shows that 106 ship losses were reported worldwide in the year to 25 November 2012.
Europe: a home for aggregators?
This year has seen aggregators bought and sold across Europe. Francesca Nyman investigates whether Europe can provide a home for them or whether their time has passed.
ERV Italy Facebook fans win 10% discount on travel cover
Italian consumers can now buy travel insurance from ERV via an e-commerce module on the firm's Facebook page as part of a new social media push.
Generali launches growth plan for Italy with only three brands
Generali has revealed its plans for growth in Italy, which include over €300m of investments in just three brands: Generali, Alleanza and Genertel.