Reinsurance
Catvest launches energy risk model
Catvest Petroleum Services, the specialist risk modelling, quantification and structuring firm for the energy and chemical sectors has launched its energy risk model and industry loss index.
Swiss Re warns quakes remain underinsured
Swiss Re has described the cumulative effects of earthquakes over the past two years as “overwhelming” but says the world’s worst affected areas remain underinsured.
Profits still elusive in growing Indian insurance market
Further growth is anticipated for India’s insurance market but achieving profitability remains a struggle for many insurers, according to a recent AM Best report.
QBE expands Dubai capabilities
QBE has expanded its Dubai branch’s underwriting capability into general liability facultative reinsurance for Middle Eastern and North African clients.
Reinsurance trade groups warn against protectionist regulation
A coalition of reinsurance trade groups has pointed to the record 2011 global insured natural catastrophe losses as a warning sign as to why protectionist reinsurance regulation will backfire in jurisdictions that try to impose limits on global risk…
Middle East Guest Blog: Firm Foundations
In earlier articles I have written that 2012 will be the year of reckoning following the 2008 financial crisis. Insurance is such that it takes time to unfold. Cyclicality is often blamed for the industry’s woes; and even more so in the Middle East…
Russian liability law pushes up insurance costs
Stringent new legislation on the management and insurance of plants dealing in hazardous materials in Russia could have far-reaching consequences for companies operating in the region, according to Marsh.
Aon Benfield appoints new CEO for Greater China
Global reinsurance intermediary Aon Benfield has made two senior additions to its Asia Pacific team.
Ace Russia achieves 'BBB+' IFS rating
The Russian subsidiary of Ace Insurance Company has had its Insurer Financial Strength and national IFS ratings upgraded by Fitch.
Bin Shabib and Associates joins Insuralex
Law firm Bin Shabib and Associates LLP has been elected to membership of global insurance lawyers group, Insuralex.
Marsh appoints loss-adjuster to head energy and construction
Global broker Marsh has recruited Vincent Marrot to be its global leader for energy engineering and leader of construction engineering for the firm's international division.
EC gender directive guidelines a ‘disappointment’
The European Commission’s guidelines for applying the soon-to-be-implemented gender directive have added clarity but have been labelled a “disappointment”.
Market moves: New faces in the broker space
This week saw a flurry of moves in the broking sector, with both Lorica and Alan & Thomas brining in several new faces.
Roundtable - Analytics: the true value of quality data
As investment in analytics increases, Post gathered a group of experts to debate the rise in the use of data in all areas of the insurance industry.
Post magazine – 12 January 2012
The latest issue of Post magazine is now available to subscribers as a digital and interactive e-book.
Guy Carpenter renewals report identifies shift in industry behaviour
The position by reinsurers to undertake a major review of pricing and underwriting heading into renewal season has led to “significant market fragmentation and increased volatility”, according to Guy Carpenter’s 2012 global reinsurance outlook.
Cooper Gay expands marine reinsurance team
Lloyd’s broker Cooper Gay & Co has appointed John Sullivan as a director of its reinsurance division.
Rising medical costs behind potential 10% growth in Lebanese medical premiums
Medical insurance premiums in Lebanon will rise by 10% in 2012, according to projections by Lebanese insurance association, the ACAL.
Saudi insurers remain profitable despite low interest rates
Domestic insurers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia remain profitable despite increasing competition and the current low interest rate environment, according to a report by Standard and Poor’s.
Zurich's 'A+' IFS rating affirmed
Zurich Insurance Company's has had its ‘A+’ insurer financial strength rating and 'A' issuer default rating affirmed by Fitch.
Korean regulator: saturated home market means local insurers must look overseas
South Korea’s six non-life insurance companies saw their earnings in overseas markets drop by 52.2% on a year-on-year basis, it has been reported.
AM Best: Reinsurance market "stable"
The reinsurance market remains stable despite “numerous challenges”, according to A.M. Best.
A windstorm for the insurance market
As the market gradually starts to digest the recent European renewals, Francesca Nyman considers the increasing challenge that European windstorms pose and whether insurers are adequately protected against this risk.
Natural Catastrophes poll
The sequence of earthquakes and large number of weather-related catastrophes have led some insurers to brand 2011 the costliest year ever in terms of natural catastrophes.