Natural catastrophes (Nat Cats)
America and Asia battle series of earthquakes
Several earthquakes hit California, the Florida Keys, Japan and China over the Bank Holiday weekend.
Reinsurers more risk-focused after Asian catastrophes
The spate of Asia-Pacific catastrophes in the past two years have prompted reinsurers to take stock of their existing portfolio and re-evaluate their underwriting approach and risk appetite according to Fitch Ratings.
Reinsurers take stock of Asia-Pacific risks
Reinsurers are bracing themselves for the next catastrophe in the Asia-Pacific region following the spate of catastrophes over the last two years, according to Fitch Ratings.
Ecclesiastical CEO upbeat despite significant H1 underwriting losses
Ecclesiastical chief executive Michael Tripp has blamed “turbulent times” after his group chalked up a first half underwriting loss of £14.4m (H1 2011 £6m).
Historical hurricane costs upwards of $10bn in 2012, claim cat experts
Experts have stated that 28 out of almost 180 hurricanes that have occurred in the United States since 1990 would have caused $10bn (£6.3bn) or more in insured losses had they happened today.
Amlin reports leap in H1 profit to £184.5m
Amlin has reported profit before tax of £184.5m in the first half of this year compared to a loss of £192.3m in the first half of 2011.
QBE records 26% increase in insurance profit in H1 2012
QBE Insurance Group made an insurance profit of $965m for the first half of the year ended June 2012, an increase of $203m on 2011.
Chaucer appoints Barter as head of catastrophe risk
Lloyd's insurance group Chaucer has appointed Nick Barter as head of catastrophe risk.
Air Worldwide develops catastrophe model offering
Air Worldwide has expanded its offerings for commercial insurers with the ability to determine losses from natural catastrophes to buildings under construction.
RJ Kiln's Syndicate 510 on course for 2011 profit
Tokio Marine-owned Lloyd's syndicate R J Kiln & Co Limited has updated forecasts for the 2010 and 2011 years of account for its four non-aligned syndicates.
Hannover Re profit soars despite €61m quake loss
Hannover Re has reported a 15.1% improvement in gross written premium for non-life reinsurance to €4.1bn (H1 2011: €3.5bn) compared with the same period last year.
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.
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.
Typhoon Haikui hits Chinese coast
The third typhoon in a week struck China on Wednesday, with winds of up to 110km per hour, prompting the evacuation of nearly two million people and grounding hundreds of flights across the country.
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.
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.
Low cat activity aids Munich Re recovery
Munich Re reported a group operating result of €2.3bn in the first half of the year, compared with a loss of €437m in the same period in 2011.
Allianz suffers £23m weather claims loss but retail and commercial GWP grow
Allianz UK has posted bad weather claims costs of £23m for the first six months of 2012.
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.
Generali sees profits boost from premiums outside Italy
Generali Group has posted net profits up 4.5% to €842m (2011 H1: €806m) for the first half of 2012, with the operating result stable at €2.34bn despite significant catastrophe events.
Hiscox UK falters while group profit soars
Hiscox returned an interim pre-tax profit of £125.8m (H1 2011: loss £85.6m), following a more benign catastrophe season compared with the previous 12 months.
Insured losses from Chinese storms expected to reach $78.7m
Insured losses from the severe storm that struck Beijing last Saturday are estimated at ¥500m ($78.7m), the city's insurance regulatory commission said on Thursday.
GAB Robins graduates experience weather claims surge response
GAB Robins' graduate recruits will start work more than a month ahead of the original September start date to experience handling the recent surge in weather-related claims.
Climate Change: Turbulent times
With climate change a growing global concern, how is the insurance industry playing its part in saving the planet?