Spain
Mapfre insures Iberia and LAN's aviation programmes
Mapfre Global Risks has agreed a three-year deal to insure the aviation risks in the insurance programmes of Iberia, Vueling, Air Nostruma and the newly created Iberia Express.
Spanish bank mergers could benefit large insurers
The ongoing restructuring of the Spanish banking system following the merging of several savings banks offers advantages to the country's largest insurance companies, said Moody's in its latest special comment report.
Catalana Occidente bids for Groupama Spain
Insurer Grupo Catalana Occidente SA has made a non-binding bid for the Spanish arm of French insurer Groupama SA.
Price-comparison model questioned as Admiral casts off Italian Chiarezza
Admiral's sale of its Italian aggregator Chiarezza on Monday demonstrates a failure adequately to invest in overseas ventures, and further withdrawal from European aggregators is a possibility for the insurer, according to one analyst.
Mayer leaves Aviva as part of management restructure
Igal Mayer has left Aviva as part of a mangement restructure to 'simplify' and 'focus' the business, after little more than a year in his role.
Mapfre's Maltese assistance unit begins operations
Middlesea Assist, the new subsidiary of Mapre Assistencia, has started to operate in Malta.
Price-comparison model questioned as Admiral casts off Italian Chiarezza
Admiral's sale of its Italian aggregator Chiarezza on Monday demonstrates a failure adequately to invest in overseas ventures, and further withdrawal from European aggregators is a possibility for the insurer, according to one analyst.
Editor's comment: Shaking up the market
Two of this week's market stories - emanating from opposite ends of the insurance supply chain, and arising from both home and abroad - carry the potential for significant shakeup in the months to come.
Setanta chief returns to industry as business solutions boss
The former chief executive of Setanta, Mike Matthews, has reprised his role as CEO of business solutions provider Sevitt almost a year after he left the Irish insurer.
Ocaso appoints new Manchester office head
Spanish insurance company Ocaso UK has promoted Paul Costigan to manager of its Manchester office.
Are you listening to your customer?
The perception in the insurance market is that all customers care about is price but, as Geoffrey Godding and John Cooper reveal, a recent survey highlighted that brand, financial security and insurer interaction are just as important.
The challenges of the solar market
Solar power is a firm part of the green movement in Europe but, with government cuts becoming increasingly common, Jakki May asks whether this renewable energy will continue to be affordable and efficient.
Alvert appointed CEO for Mapfre Assistance
Pablo Alvert has been appointed CEO and regional director for Mapfre Assistance, the UK arm of Mapfre Asistencia.
Mapfre names Pablo Alvert as UK boss
Mapfre’s UK arm Mapfre Assistance has named Pablo Alvert as CEO and regional director.
Mapfre begins assistance operations in Malta
Spanish insurer launches Maltese subsidiary of Mapfre Assistencia.
Mapfre buys bank's stake in Mapfre America for €244m
Spnaish savings bank Banco Financiero y de Ahorros has agreed to sell its 10.36% stake in Mapfre America to the insurer's parent company for €244m.
CED continues expansion in Spain with Tebex takeover
Loss adjusting and claims management firm CED has reinforced its position in Spain with the takeover of Tebex Daño Corporal.
Dissatisfaction could affect credit insurers' ability to recover in future
European credit insurers would be less able to rebound in a future crisis than they were in 2008/2009, according to Moody's latest insurance industry outlook.
European insurers win ground in Solvency II debate
European Union insurers could be spared the full impact of solvency rules owing to a last-minute agreement on Thursday between senior lawmakers.
China loses out as Mapfre targets more 'liberal' Asian countries
China's hostile environment for foreign investors has led Spanish insurer Mapfre to seek acquisition targets elsewhere in Asia in order to expand within the region.
Asia helps Bupa shore up drop in European revenue
Healthcare group Bupa has announced revenues of £8bn for the year ended 31 December 2011, with strong performances in Asia.
Mapfre expects 6% revenue increase in 2012, as 2011 rises 3.2%
In 2011, Mapfre achieved a net result of €963m, a 3.2% rise on the 2010 full year results.
Mapfre's new chairman predicts growth
Antonio Huertas has said the Spanish insurer expects to achieve revenues of more than €25,000m in 2012, equivalent to a 6% increase, in a year that will be "hard" and "demanding".
Admiral overseas losses increase to £15.1m but policycount soars to 4.1m
Admiral Group has reported that its two international operations – motor and aggregator – increased their losses to £15.1m (2010: £12.8m loss) in 2010.