Fitch Ratings
This week: heatwave, hurdles and honours
Our neighbours in France may have hit their highest ever recorded temperature this week as the heatwave that struck Europe saw schools closed, but Post revealed motorists holidaying there will not be able to claim compensation if they are struck by an…
CMA price cap proposals could put pressure on 'weak profitability' in insurance
A proposal by the Competition and Markets Authority to place targeted price caps could change pricing and marketing models and put pressure on profitability in the insurance sector, Fitch Ratings has warned.
Premiums 'more likely' to edge up despite claims fraud crackdown: Fitch Ratings
Insurers are unlikely to get a profit boost from a reduction in fraudulent claims and are instead expected to use savings to keep premiums down amid surging average claim sizes, according to Fitch Ratings.
Pricing practice changes would put the onus on insurers to charge a 'fair price'
Large insurers with big books of home insurance business could lose out following pricing practices review, but profitability is unlikely to be "heavily dented", ratings agency says.
Ratings agencies shift Marsh outlook to negative over JLT deal
Marsh’s whirlwind acquisition of JLT surprised ratings agencies, as it was a “larger” deal than expected from the world’s biggest broker.
Sogaz and VTB merge to form Russian insurance giant
Sogaz has acquired VTB Insurance and the merger is creating Russia’s largest insurance company.
This week: Proceedings and premiums
This week the UK has been focused on court cases and Inquiries.
Motor premiums have already started to fall: Fitch
Insurers have already started to reduce motor premiums ahead of the government’s proposed whiplash and discount rate reforms.
Underwriting pressure drives negative outlook for London market
Underwriting pressure from the high cost of doing business have caused Fitch Ratings to report a negative sector outlook for London market reinsurance and insurance in 2018.
This week: The consequences of buying big
By far the biggest purchase I ever made was when I bought my house.
Axa-XL deal puts both insurers' ratings under review
The major rating agencies have unanimously taken rating actions on both Axa and XL Group following the recent announcement that the French insurance giant is looking to acquire 100% of the specialty insurer.
Analysis: Soft reinsurance renewals dash hard market hopes
After five consecutive years of falling rates, global property-catastrophe reinsurance experienced upward pricing pressure at 1 January renewals.
Week in Post: All hail Captain Side Parting
This year’s Budget was rewarding for many reasons: a freeze on insurance premium tax, an increase in research funding for driverless cars, and a dig at Jeremy Clarkson.
Pricing pressure and aggregators will hurt company market in 2018, says Fitch
Intense competition and increasing use of price comparison websites will continue to pressure insurers’ earnings in motor and household insurance, Fitch has warned.
Analysis: Hurricane harm
Hurricane season has caused devastation across the Atlantic but, despite the human death toll, the impact on reinsurers is likely to be limited
Editor's comment: Time for turning
As a mother, finding a consensus that makes all family members happy is often an issue.
Blog: Making cyber relevant
Neil Ross and Delvin Tillett, senior vice-president and assistant vice-president for underwriting at Axis Pro Europe, explain how insurers and underwriters can make cyber policies relevant in today's fast-moving business environment.
Ogden decision may not curb reinsurance rate rises, says LV's Treloar
The government’s Ogden decision may not curb expected reinsurance pricing rises, LV general insurance managing director Steve Treloar has said.
Lloyd’s catastrophe exposure driving ratings downgrade
The current catastrophe exposure of Lloyd’s has left the market vulnerable, Fitch Ratings has said.
Ogden decision to curb reinsurance pricing rises
Reinsurance pricing will only increase modestly at January renewals as a result of the government’s Ogden announcement.
Harvey unlikely to drive ratings downgrades
Hurricane Harvey is unlikely to trigger ratings downgrades for property and casualty insurers and reinsurers, said Fitch Ratings.
Motor premiums to rise while government delays Ogden consultation feedback
The Ministry of Justice’s decision to delay the Ogden consultation feedback may push motor premiums up.
German non-life premiums to continue to rise
German general insurers will continue increasing premiums to offset declining yields in their investment portfolios.
Global Reinsurers feel the pressure in H1
Global reinsurers continue to feel the pinch of sustained pricing and earning pressure at the half year results, according to Fitch Ratings.