Switzerland
Fitch affirms Flagstone ratings after Validus deal
Ratings agency Fitch has confirmed that it will take no action on the ratings of Flagstone Re after it was purchased by Validus at the end of November.
Capco to offer insurance services in Europe
Global business consultancy Capco will offer insurance services throughout the UK and continental Europe.
Helvetia completes Gan acquisition and confirms Letac as CEO in 2013
Helvetia has completed its acquisition of the French transport insurance portfolio of Gan Eurocourtage.
Vintage car insurance in Europe
Despite being a niche sector, with owners treating their vehicles like part of the family Anna Pitton explains why vintage motor insurance could be a missed opportunity for insurers.
Swiss Re pledges $500m for European infrastructure debt
Swiss Re said today that it has committed $500m for investments in senior secured debt of infrastructure businesses and assets located primarily in northern Europe.
Zurich says German write-down is "isolated case" as BOP falls 34%
Zurich Insurance Group posted business operating profit of $733m for the third quarter, down 34% on the prior year after financial adjustments in its German general insurance portfolio.
Catlin sees increase in GWP
Catlin's International underwriting hub saw gross written premiums increase 17% to $727m.
Model increases understanding of Swiss flood risk
Aon Benfield has launched a new flood model for Switzerland and Lichtenstein to help quantify financial losses caused by what is considered to be the country's most significant natural peril.
Swiss Re places bonds to combine nat cat and mortality risks
Swiss Re has obtained $200m in coverage against North Atlantic hurricane and UK extreme mortality risk through its new Mythen Re programme.
Zurich 'disappointed' with $550m adjustments to German GI
Zurich Insurance Group will strengthen its claims provisions, primarily in long-tail liability lines, and write-off a portion of its deferred acquisition costs, following a review of the firm’s German general insurance business, including a claims file…
Ghana Agricultural Insurance Pool makes first payment to farmers
One hundred and thirty six farmers in the northern region of Ghana have become the first beneficiaries of payments from the drought index insurance product under the Ghana Agricultural Insurance Pool.
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.
Swiss Re covers solar plane planning first round the world flight
Swiss Re Corporate Solutions has become the sole insurance provider for Solar Impulse, the world's first purely solar-powered airplane able to fly through the night.
Zurich proposes Mächler to join board
Zurich's directors will propose the election of Monica Mächler to the board at the firm's annual general meeting on 4 April 2013.
More than $3.5bn Perils-based limits at risk
Perils AG has hailed the success of its industry loss index service, with the firm’s head of products describing it as “the industry loss trigger of choice” for transferring European storm risk to reinsurers and capital markets.
Novae Re appoints new senior management team
Novae Group has reorganised the key management team in its reinsurance division, Novae Re, in Zurich and London, following a number of departures earlier in the summer.
Novae reveals reinsurance management reshuffle
Novae has restructured the key management team in its Novae Re reinsurance division in Zurich and London, following a stream of departures earlier in the summer.
Geneva Association's Liedtke named as Blackrock EMEA head
Risk management organisation Blackrock has appointed Patrick Liedtke, outgoing secretary general and managing director of the Geneva Association, to lead its financial institutions group in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Catlin Re Switzerland promotes Eugster to chief underwriting officer
Catlin Group has appointed Markus Eugster as chief underwriting officer for Catlin Re Switzerland.
Helvetia posts reduced profit for H1
Swiss insurer Helvetia posted profit of CHF162.7m (€135.4m) for the first half of 2012, down from CHF171.5m in the first half of 2011.
Helvetia increases shareholding in Nationale Suisse
The Helvetia Group has given notice to the Swiss Stock Exchange that Helvetia Beteiligungen AG has taken over a share package from Basler Kantonalbank in the Swiss National Insurance Company (Nationale Suisse) amounting to 7.69%.
Zurich sees decline in European GI profit as pension and commission expenses bite
Zurich Insurance has reported a business operating profit of $2.5bn for the six months ended 30 June 2012, up 17% on 2011.
Zurich appoints new general insurance CEO
Zurich Insurance Group has appointed Michael Kerner as CEO of general insurance from 1 September subject to regulatory approval.
Top five European news stories
The top five European stories from www.insuranceinsight.com over the past seven days.