Earthquakes
QBE Europe H1 profits increase to $222m
QBE Europe reported a pre-tax insurance profit of $222m (H1 2009: $213M). Its gross written premium for the first half of 2010 was up 8% to US$2.412bn (2009 US$2.228bn).
Omega warns of $35m expected loss
Omega expects to report a loss before tax of approximately $35m for the first half of 2010.
Catastrophe bond issuance surges in Q2 – Guy Carpenter
Eight transactions completed, totaling $2.05bn of risk capital as investor appetite remains strong according to the reinsurance broker.
Markel International profits hit by major losses in H1 2010
Markel International reported gross written premiums of $395.3m for the six months to 30 June 2010, compared to $358.1m for the first half of 2009.
Swiss Re reports Q2 2010 profit following previous year's loss
Swiss Re recorded net income of $812m for the second quarter of 2010 despite what it described as "challenging market environment".
Hardy profit nosedives in first half results
Hardy Underwriting Bermuda's profit before tax has fallen to £0.8m (H1 2009: £7.8m) after it was hit by a string of catastrophic events.
RSA results reveal 9% NWP growth for H1 2010
Insurer RSA’s UK net written premiums increased by 9% year on year to £1.46bn in the first half of 2010 (H1 2009: £1.34bn) according to its latest financial results.
Beazley gives warningover energy rate spike
Worldwide energy insurance rates will continue to harden in 2010 due to the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster, with a further spike possible at the reinsurance renewal season, Beazley has claimed.
Montpelier Q2 net written premiums up 7%
Reinsurer Montpelier claims that premium growth in the last quarter has been driven by its Lloyd's and US operations, particularly its marine book.
How many letters?
Tim Evershed investigates the property and catastrophe market in the early stages of the Atlantic and Pacific hurricane seasons
Hurricanes - financial impact: A storm is coming
After a good year in 2009 for the reinsurance industry, Philip Alexander warns of the perils heralded by the Atlantic forecast for this year, as 2010 looks to be beset by stormy weather.
Singapore insurance market poses threat to London warns Marsh
The London market needs to think about how it is responding to the expanding Singapore market if it is going to be competitive with rates.
Singapore insurance market poses threat to London warns Marsh
The London market needs to think about how it is responding to the expanding Singapore market if it is going to be competitive with rates.
Nat cat losses more than double average in first half 2010
Insurers’ losses from natural catastrophes, including the February earthquake in Chile, totaled $22 billion in the first half of the year, more than double the average for the period since 2000, according to Munich Re.
Interview - Stefano Tranquillo: Sticking to the principle
FM Global's Stefano Tranquillo may have a diverse background but, he tells Lynn Rouse, the company has achieved first-class underwriting results using a risk management model that has changed little in the 175 years since it was founded.
Lloyd's credit rating affirmed by AM Best
AM Best has affirmed the financial strength rating of A (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a+” of Lloyd’s of London and Lloyd’s Reinsurance Company (China).
Lloyd's credit rating affirmed by AM Best
AM Best has affirmed the financial strength rating of A (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a+” of Lloyd’s of London and Lloyd’s Reinsurance Company (China).
Caribbean risk pool prepares for "above normal" hurricane activity
All 16 members of the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility have renewed their policies for hurricane and earthquake coverage for the 2010/11 year beginning on 1 June – the start of the hurricane season.
Reinsurance pricing resists pressure
Major losses from the Chile earthquake and storms in Australia in the first quarter of 2010 have had little impact on pricing in the global reinsurance market.
Hiscox to cut Lloyd's capacity by £100m in 2011
Hiscox has published a summary of its initial 2011 business forecast for Syndicate 33. A full 2011 business forecast for Syndicate 33 will be submitted to Lloyd's by 9 July.
THB profits up in first half
THB this morning reported a 21% rise in broking profit to £3.9m on fees and commissions of £24.6m (H1 2009 £23.3m).
Levene laments 2010, the year of "direct hits"
The chairman of Lloyd’s has described 2010 as the year of “direct hits”.
Top 5 Post stories
The top five most popular stories on postonline.co.uk over the last week were:
Lloyd's team heads to Chile
Lloyd’s has sent a team to Chile to help the market better understand the impact of February’s earthquake and assist in ensuring the speedy payment of valid claims.