Fire
Indian insurers lambasted for fire premium price war
India's Finance Ministry has censured four state-owned insurers for offering "ridiculously low" fire premiums to corporate clients after attempts to undercut each other led some to offer 100% premium discounts.
Venezuelan oil refinery blast kills 48 people
An oil refinery in Venezuela went up in flames after three tanks exploded on Saturday morning.
Locals urged to contact insurers over Singapore hotel fire
Residents and businesses affected by a fire at a Singapore hotel on Monday have been offered assistance in making insurance claims from the group that owns the facility.
China Property & Casualty Reinsurance to use AIR catastrophe models
China Property & Casualty Reinsurance Company has licensed AIR's typhoon, earthquake and multiple-peril crop insurance models for China to better manage its catastrophe risk.
Coleman praised for efforts following fire at Grade II listed home
Coleman Insurance Brokers has received policyholder praise following the firm's role in resolving the aftermath of a serious fire that gutted a 300 year-old Grade II listed home.
Property claims: Business Sprinkler Alliance praises Wales for new law
Business Sprinkler Alliance chairman Iain Cox has praised the Welsh Assembly's decision to propose legislation ensuring that all new-build homes in the principality are fitted with sprinklers.
Sprinklers could have prevented Peterboat Close fire disruption
A large fire broke out at a chemical processing plant in south east London in the early hours of this morning.
BAFSA report calls for government rethink on high-rise sprinklers
The British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association has hit back at a government report describing the installation of sprinklers in high-rise flats as "not practical" by producing a 'safer high-rise living' guide to support its call for change.
Quake policy uptake in Japan increases 17.5%
Analysts have noted a surge in the uptake of quake policies in Japan following the Tohoku earthquake last year.
Croatian Insurance Market - Latest market trends
Challenging economic conditions saw most lines in the Croation insurance sector suffer. Hvroje Paukovic provides an overview of the market.
Crawford handles Travis Perkins warehouse fire
Crawford Global Technical Services is handling the claim for fire damage to a two-storey building occupied by builders merchants Travis Perkins.
Warehouse fire causes disruption
Over 100 residents from 30 properties have been forced to leave their homes following a fire at a Gloucestershire warehouse.
BSA says fire sprinklers save water
The Business Sprinkler Alliance is using crisis talks on water saving measures to call on UK businesses to install automatic fire sprinklers as an active measure to save billions of litres of water every year.
Q&A Peter Solloway
Peter Solloway, business development manager for Continental Europe at FM Global, pictured, spoke to Stephanie Denton about the challenges facing the French insurance market including exposure to nat cats, supply chain issues and distribution challenges.
Claims growth outstrips premium increases in Cambodia
Although premium revenue for Cambodia's six big insurance companies rose 19% last year, total claims grew 178%, according to official data from the General Insurance Association of Cambodia.
Government deregulation puts sprinkler legislation on back burner
Insurers have been told to prepare for government apathy over mandatory sprinklers legislation and, at best, expect piecemeal change.
Interview - Bobby Gracey & Dr James Lygate: The future of forensics
Despite an abrupt and fractious first meeting many years ago, Bobby Gracey and Dr James Lygate are now business partners. The duo explain their plans for growth and diversification at IFIC.
Growth in green energy prompts Rural to enter market
Specialist agricultural insurer Rural, part of UKGI, is the latest business to launch a suite of green insurance products to meet the growing demand for cover from farmers investing in renewable energy schemes.
Your say: Environmental lobby stance
I read the article on fire protection sprinklers, The market needs saturating with interest, and agree with Andrew Miller that the environmental issues could be used as an extremely effective argument in the UK to lobby government.
Editor's comment: Sales, sprinklers and statistics
Any reputable estate agent — excusing the potential oxymoron — will tell you the property market falls quiet in the run-up to Christmas, as potential vendors focus on the festivities ahead. Not so in the insurance market, with an unexpected end-of-year…
Fire protection sprinklers: The market needs saturating
Despite research showing sprinklers significantly reduce economic damage and environmental impact following major fires, hopes for mandatory legislation remain low.
Law report: Environcom appeal rejected over disclosure dispute
This law report has been contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Your say: Tackling fire remains a priority
You are right to think that both this government and the last have not been receptive to arguments by the insurance industry and sprinkler lobby pressing for a more widespread fitting of sprinkler systems.
Editor's comment: Yet another call for action
How often do we hear that rallying cry for the insurance industry to up its lobbying credentials and persuade government to deliver change that will safeguard both citizens and businesses alike? All too often.