South America
Barlow and Clyde in merger talks
Law firms Barlow Lyde & Gilbert and Clyde & Co are in advanced merger talks, Post Online sister title Legal Week has revealed.
View from the top: A hard market is coming
I started talking about positive signs of rate movement more than a month ago. While many agreed, not all of the market's 'big three' brokers shared this view. But a few weeks can effect considerable change and now even Aon's soothsayers will probably…
Mapfre and Mitsui extend co-operation agreement
Insurers Mapfre and Mitsui Sumitomo have extended their existing co-operation agreement to include reinsurance and risk consulting services.
Crawford establishes new GTS team to serve Latin American clients
Crawford & Company has established a team of Global Technical Services managers and offices in Latin America to more effectively serve large and complex claims from the growing insurance market in the region.
Broker redomiciling: The case for migration
With the UK becoming an increasingly expensive place to do business, David Coupe questions whether more brokers will look to move abroad.
Zurich profits fall 33% in Q1 as it suffers $517m nat cat loss
Zurich Financial Services Group (Zurich) today reported a 33% drop in business operating profit of $849m (Q1 2010: $1.3bn) and a 32% drop in net income after tax of USD $637m (q1 2010: $935m) for the three months ended March 31, 2011.
Marsh insurance arm sees 21% Q1 growth in Latin America
Marsh & McLennan's risk and insurance services revenue increased 10 percent to $1.6bn in the first quarter of 2011, or 4 percent on an underlying basis, it announced today.
Dual MGA enters property market
VK Underwriting has taken its first steps towards expanding its product range beyond its core specialty lines by entering the property market.
Interview - Michael Walter & Edward Maddison: Engaging the next generation
Lynn Rouse talks to ASL's Michael Walter and Edward Maddison about expanding horizons, operational expertise and engaging the firm's next generation.
Besso management buys out Union Hamilton shares
Besso has insisted it is business as usual at the firm, after its management completed a shareholding purchase worth almost £3m.
Insurers landed with $43bn cat bill
The insurance industry was hit with a $43bn (£26.8bn) exposure for natural catastrophes and man made disasters during 2010, research from Swiss Re has revealed.
Liberty grows Brazilian operations
Lloyd’s underwriter Liberty Syndicates has moved to a new office in Sao Paulo.
MDS acquires 50% stake in Coral
Iberian and Latin American broker MDS Holdings has acquired a 50% stake in intermediary Coral.
Reinsurance sector braced for huge losses in Japan
The global reinsurance industry is positioned to absorb the impact of the Japanese earthquake — even if the insured losses reach $35bn (£21.7bn).
Besso wins Ecuador hydro-electric dam broker contract
Besso has been named as the broker on a $2bn (£1.2bn) project to construct a hydro-electric dam in Ecuador.
Major loss: meeting the challenges of major loss
With the global nature of modern business exposing insurers to a variety of major loss challenges, Trevor Latimer assesses the consequences.
Amlin blames earthquakes for £250m drop in profit
Amlin will monitor rate increases in earthquake zones in 2011, after blaming significant catastrophe activity for a £250m drop in profit for 2010.
Chaucer profits fall due to cat exposure
Chaucer has attributed its fall in profit and property underwriting loss to its exposure to global catastrophes.
MDS launches Herco Portugal
Iberian and Latin American insurance broker MDS has launched a new international risk management business.
JLT extends 'firepower' to £350m as bolt-on buys beckon
Jardine Lloyd Thompson has extended its unutilised debt facility beyond the £200m mark in order to fund new acquisitions.
Prior reserve release staves off RSA underwriting loss
Prior year reserve releases of £267m have helped insurer RSA avoid posting an underwriting loss of £29m for 2010.
Chilean earthquake – insurance lessons learnt one year on
Lessons learnt from the massive earthquake that struck Chile 12 months ago should facilitate the future handling of complex business interruption claims, says Jenny Larner.
Aon Benfield: 95% of Chile quake loss reinsured
Broker Aon Benfield has revealed that 95% of the $8.5bn (£5.3bn) losses suffered during the Chile earthquake was covered by reinsurance.
Zurich signs $1.67bn deal with Santander
Zurich has signed a memorandum of understanding with Santander to enter into a 25-year strategic distribution arrangement in Latin America.