Insurer
Markel International COR drops to 84% in H1
Markel International has posted a combined operating of 84% for the first six months of 2012, a 46% improvement on the figure of 130% in 2011.
Aviva grows UK profit despite restructure hitting group operating profit
Aviva has reported a 10% fall in operating profit including restructuring costs to £935m in the first half of the year (H1 2011: £1.04bn).
Swiss Re posts 91% drop in net income for Q2
Swiss Re's net income attributable to common shareholders fell by $877m to $83m (2011: $960m) in the second quarter of 2012 owing to a $1bn loss from the sale of the US business Admin Re.
Charles Taylor buys majority stake in Saudi Arabian loss adjuster
Charles Taylor has acquired a majority stake in the Noble Inspection and Loss Adjustment Company in a bid to develop its Middle East footprint.
Allianz launches healthcare plans in China
Allianz Worldwide Care is launching international healthcare plans for China that it hopes will appeal to international and local companies.
Indian power failure highlights supply chain exposures
The widespread power failures in northern India in July highlighted the potential exposure for businesses relying on offshore outsourcing to deliver key services to customers worldwide, according to Zurich.
Merlin Claims goes into administration
Merlin Claims has gone into administration today just two months after denying that it was in trouble.
South Korea poised to resume loading Iranian crude
South Korea and the National Iranian Tanker Company are rumoured to be close to a deal that could see the Asian nation resume the loading of Iranian crude before the end of September.
Consumers warned against cancelling policies to save cash
The rising number of people cancelling insurance policies have been warned that the supposed cash-saving practice could ultimately end up costing more.
Towergate nabs Bupa chief risk officer Jackson
Bupa chief risk officer Keith Jackson will quit his role to take on an identical position at Towergate when he joins the firm on 8 October.
Axa direct and affinity restructure looms
Axa is expected to reveal the new structure for its direct personal lines and affinity business next week, following previously announced plans to merge the two operations.
Wunelli launches driving simulator app
Telematics insurance business Wunelli has launched a smartphone safe driving simulator app which allows young motorists to test their driving skills and determine whether they can save on car insurance.
XL underwriting returns to profit
XL's property and casualty business has reported a rise in gross written premium in the first six months of the year to $4.08bn compared with $3.86bn in the same period in 2011.
LAS signs storm claims deal with Lloyds Bank
LAS Claims Management's specialist surveying division, Waylett & Co, has secured a deal validating storm-related roof claims for Lloyds Banking Group customers.
Typhoon Haikui to cause millions of pounds of insured losses
A typhoon that is sweeping its way through eastern China could cause up to £100m insured losses.
China suffers $8bn economic losses from July floods
Aon Benfield has estimated that the floods in China during July caused economic losses of $8.3bn.
Oman consults Malaysia over draft Takaful rules
UK law firm Clifford Chance has submitted draft proposals for legislation to cover Takaful in the Sultanate of Oman.
Aon Benfield director appointed CEO of Willis' Chilean operation
Global broker Willis has appointed Alejandro Vaccaro as chief executive of the company's Chilean facultative reinsurance division.
Torus picks Northdoor IT solution for Lloyd's integration
Global speciality insurer Torus has selected Northdoor's NDEX insurance solution to assist with its London Market and Lloyd's operations.
Zurich and Weightmans tackle string of fraudulent personal injury claims
Global insurer Zurich and national law firm Weightmans have teamed up to crack down on the fraudulent claims public authorities have faced in recent months.
Equinox hires new senior credit analyst
Lloyd's cover holder Equinox Global has appointed Michelle Barnes, pictured, to the post of senior credit analyst.
More mid-management jobs to go at Aviva as streamlining gathers pace
Aviva has informed staff of the next phase of its reorganisation by announcing that a handful of mid-management positions are for the chop.
L&G confirms pet and travel insurance offerings
Major household insurer Legal & General has confirmed it will launch pet, travel and mid-net worth insurance products before the end of the year.