Insurer
Markel to buy Alterra in $3.1bn deal
Markel is to acquire Bermudian insurer and reinsurer Alterra for a combination of stock and cash totalling $3.1bn.
General insurance review of the year: It never rains, but it pours
Flooding, and the ongoing struggle to replace the Statement of Principles, has been at the forefront of a range of difficulties faced by the general insurance market in 2012. Will 2013 bring a silver lining?
Capita secures government fuel scheme deal
Capita Insurance Services has won a seven-year fuel scheme contract with the Department of Energy and Climate Change.
UK motor profits could take fresh hit as reinsurers mitigate exposure to PPOs
The prevalence of periodic payment orders is expected to undermine underwriting profitability in the motor market in 2013, as reinsurers become increasingly reluctant to take on a rising number of variables.
Global insurance rates firming 'slowed in Q4', says Marsh
Global insurance rates continued to firm in the last quarter of 2012, but at a slower rate than in the previous quarter, according to Marsh's global market briefing.
Aquiline boosts Lloyd's foothold with cut-price acquisition of Equity Red Star
Aquiline Capital Partners' acquisition of Equity Red Star for £87m – a far cry from the £570m IAG paid for Equity Insurance Group in 2006 – marks the New York-based firm's latest foray into the Lloyd's market.
Industry cat losses to hit $65m in 2012, says Swiss Re
Insured losses from natural catastrophes and man-made disasters will reach approximately $65m in 2012, according to Swiss Re.
LMA teams up with IUA to run cross-market aviation committee
The Lloyd's Market Association will share the running of a cross-market aviation committee with the International Underwriting Association.
Lloyd's reveals Superstorm Sandy claims could hit $2.5bn
Lloyd's has announced today that its estimated net claims before tax from Superstorm Sandy are between $2bn and $2.5bn.
Lloyd's: Sandy net claims could reach $2.5bn
Net claims from Superstorm Sandy could hit Lloyd's for $2bn (£1.25bn) to $2.5bn (£1.55bn) it was announced this morning.
Analysts approve of Aviva's JV Aseval sale
Analysts have praised Aviva for continuing to execute its disposal programme by selling its entire stake in Spanish JV Aseval to Bankia.
Aviva settles with Bankia for €608m
Aviva has reached a settlement with Bankia regarding their Spanish joint venture, Aseval. The agreement marks the end of legal proceedings between the two firms.
Top five European news stories
The top five European news stories from www.insuranceinsight.com over the past seven days.
HSBC India faces legal action over allegation of insurance fraud
An HSBC shareholder is threatening legal action against HSBC India for insurance fraud, pending the outcome of a regulatory investigation.
Europe's insurers more insulated against crisis than banks
European insurers have proved more resilient than their banking counterparts in the current financial crisis, but are still vulnerable to economic shocks, Moody's said today.
Norway's Gjensidige enhances risk management architecture
Norwegian insurance company Gjensidige has enhanced its risk management architecture to help comply with Solvency II.
The future of regulation for Hong Kong
Hong Kong's insurance industry is currently digesting a consultation document on the future of its regulatory regime. Nicky Burridge talks to the market to get early reactions about the feelings on the ground.
Asia View from the Top: Speciality lines drive growth
The economy remains strong across much of Asia, and the World Bank predicts growth of 7.6% in the region in 2013.
Guest Blog: The modern world of Father Christmas
It is December so it seems only right and proper to use Father Christmas as an indicator of how much the world has changed over recent years.
Blog: M&A myths dispelled
The third week of December can be a stressful time. As 25 December looms ever closer, there are still presents to buy, decorations to hang, and tasks to dispatch before you can relax guilt-free to enjoy the holiday season.
Europe: a home for aggregators?
This year has seen aggregators bought and sold across Europe. Francesca Nyman investigates whether Europe can provide a home for them or whether their time has passed.
European regulation: the data, systems and processes challenge
As Solvency II implantation moves back, insurers might be forgiven for pausing to catch their breath but, as Richard Hart and Christian Schmid explain, this is actually the time for reviewing strategic data opportunities.
HSB Engineering makes two senior appointments
HSB Engineering Insurance has appointed a new construction product leader and a senior underwriter.