Political risks
Report reveals 35% rise in countries experiencing political violence
The has been a 35% rise in the number of countries experiencing escalating political violence, according to broker Marsh.
Top five European news stories
The top five stories from www.insuranceinsight.com over the past seven days.
Piracy falling but seas off East and West Africa remain dangerous
Piracy on the world's seas has reached a five-year low, with 297 ships attacked in 2012, compared with 439 in 2011, the International Chamber of Commerce International Maritime Bureauglobal piracy report revealed today.
Rising kidnap risk amid Eurozone unrest
The rising risk of abductions as a result of social unrest in the Eurozone is creating opportunities for insurers specialising in kidnap and ransom policies.
Heightened terrorism risk in Turkey following activist killing
The recent killing of a leading PKK activist indicates increasing terrorism risks to state and security assets in Turkey, including in Istanbul, according to a new report by Exclusive Analysis.
Markel appoints new head of international claims
Markel International has appointed Hannah Purves as claims director.
Piracy: Has the tide turned?
Piracy off the coast of Somalia has dropped significantly since last year – bringing insurance premiums down with it – but what’s behind the decline, and how can it be sustained?
Italy's SACE expands in India with permanent Mumbai office
Italy-based credit insurer SACE SpA has launched its Indian operations with the establishment of an office in Mumbai.
Roundtable: The Arab Spring - Identifying and handling the risks
The unrest in the Middle East over the past two years has created a host of new risks for companies operating in the region. How should the insurance industry adapt in response?
Chaucer launches political risk initiative in New York
Lloyd's insurer Chaucer has developed a new political risk and trade credit initiative in New York.
Europe View from the Top: Risk management in a recession
The global recession has forced companies to rethink their business models, strategies and operations, says Ferma president Jorge Luzzi.
Singapore government to subsidise political risk cover for selected firms
A Singapore government agency has launched a political risk insurance scheme to help Singapore-based companies protect projects and investments as they grow overseas.
Liberty Syndicates adds to specialty products team
Liberty Syndicates has appointed Susan Barber to manage and build on its personal accident and pecuniary lines treaty portfolios in the Lloyd's market, part of its specialty products underwriting division.
Cooper Gay extends political risk offering
Cooper Gay is offering a crisis management and business continuity consultation to terrorism and political risks policyholders after joining forces with specialist consultancy Security Exchange.
Ace goes live with property insurance cover to fill terrorism gap
Ace has launched a property insurance proposition designed to cover the gaps between traditional property, terrorism and political violence insurance policies.
Credit insurers Garant and ASEI enter partnership
Austrian political risk insurer Garant Versicherungs AG and state-owned export credit agency Asuransi Ekspor Indonesia have entered into a commercial partnership to improve the export credit and political risks cover available to their clients.
Politics is a major risk for renewables sector, says Willis
Resource nationalism is threatening projects in the renewables sector, according to Willis' head of political and export risk Andrew Van den Born.
View from the Top: Beyond the bottom line
When the MDS team first heard about Swiss Re's planned involvement in a new food security initiative a few months ago, we were struck by the sense of responsibility and stewardship that the company's move represented.
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.
Half of CEOs responsible for risk management as terrorism tops concerns
The chief executive or chief operating officer has formal responsibility for risk management at 50% of European companies, according to a new survey which found that companies feel underprepared for terrorism and political violence risks.
Berry Palmer & Lyle opens in Singapore
Political risk broker Berry Palmer & Lyle has opened a second Asian subsidiary following the launch of a Hong Kong branch in early 2011.
Banks turn to credit insurance in Asian market
European banks operating in emerging markets are increasingly using structured credit insurance as a way of remaining active in Asian trade finance market and deleveraging their trade finance portfolios.
Liberty hires new assistant vice president
Liberty International Underwriters Europe has appointed Mark Esdaile as assistant vice president in the company’s trade credit and political risk team.
Liberty appoints trade credit and political risk VP
Liberty International Underwriters Europe, part of Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, has appointed Mark Esdaile as assistant vice president for trade credit and political risk.