Mutuals
German Mutual Insurance downgraded after wind strom hits results
German Mutual Insurance Company has had its financial strength rating downgraded to B+ (Good) from B++ (Good) and issuer credit rating to 'bbb-' from 'bbb'. The outlook for both ratings is negative.
Cornish Mutual wins chartered status
Cornish Mutual has been awarded Chartered Insurer status in recognition of its standards of professionalism and customer service.
A mutual future?
Regulations like Solvency II will have a significant impact on mutuals across Europe. Francesca Nyman asks whether the model will survive.
Tapiola and Local Insurance agree outsourcing deal with Tieto
Finnish insurers Tapiola and Local Insurance Group have signed a five-year deal to outsource IT infrastructure services to Finnish IT services company Tieto.
Reinsurance key to mutual survival, says Willis Re president
Reinsurance can be crucial to ensure mutual insurers survive difficult periods, according to Willis Re president Paddy Jago.
AMICE report charts rise of European mutuals
Mutual and cooperative insurers now have a 26% share of the European insurance market, according to a report by the Association of Mutual Insurers and Insurance Cooperatives in Europe.
Liberty Mutual names Martella senior VP for commercial markets
Liberty Mutual Insurance, the commercial lines division of Liberty Mutual Insurance Europe, has named Anthony Martella as senior vice president of its commercial markets unit.
Diversification key to favourable ratings for mutuals
The unique characteristics of mutual insurers mean that some are being encouraged towards diversification by regulators and rating agencies, according to a report by Willis Re.
European mutual insurers meet in Poland
Europe's mutual and cooperative insurers will hold their third biennial Congress from 6 to 8 June 2012 in Gdansk, Poland, with Lech Wałęsa, Nobel Peace Prize winner and founder of the Solidarność movement, as guest speaker.
TT Club still in surplus despite 2011 cats
Freight transport and logistics insurer the TT Club has said it kept its combined ratio below 100% in 2011 despite a record year for catastrophe claims.
Education terrorism mutual promotes Gorringe from deputy to chairman
UM Association (Special Risks), a terrorism insurance mutual for universities, has named Edinburgh University finance director Jon Gorringe as chairman.
Cuna teams up with Golden Charter on funeral protection
Mutual sector insurance provider Cuna Mutual has partnered up with a non-for-profit to provide affordable funeral protection.
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.
Liberty Mutual Europe appoints senior claims figures
Liberty Mutual Insurance Europe has made three senior appointments to its claims operations as part of its quest to provide claims service on a local basis.
View from the top: Getting power to the people
The insurance industry is in a unique position to generate opportunity from challenge, says Hamish Roberts.
Keeping pace with the evolution of risk
In the last 18 months, risk managers have faced a complex set of challenges.
Market moves: Brokers pick up the pace
Following a quiet fortnight, major players in the broking sector have actively been recruiting this week.
Japan - Post-earthquake: Aftershocks of the earthquake
New insurance legislation in Japan is set to be extensively tested six months after the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit the country.
Tapiola has rating affirmed by AM Best
Tapiola General Mutual, Finland’s largest mutual insurer, has had its financial strength rating of A (Excellent) and its issuer credit rating of “A” affirmed by ratings agency, AM Best. The outlook for both ratings is stable.
Jubilee Europe to offer protection to Dutch mortgage holders
Jubilee Europe is offering protection for Dutch mortgage holders, by entering into a partnership with Reliance Mutual Insurance Society.
Maritime insurer Skuld reports record 9th year of underwriting surplus
Norwegian maritime insurer Skuld has reported underwriting surplus of $13m for the first six months of 2011.
Comment- mutuals: Public preference
Mutuals can be overlooked or underused by public bodies, but Allan Guest argues that they are the most cost-effective and appropriate choice for public sector risks.
Public sector - Insurance procurement: Strength in numbers?
Will the Insurance London Consortium succeed where its predecessor failed and provide the blueprint for public sector procurement? asks Edward Murray.