Articles by Andrew Tjaardstra
MetLife expands in Malaysia
MetLife has reached an agreement with Malaysia's AMMB Holdings, which owns the fifth largest bank in Malaysia, to form a strategic partnership involving AmLife Insurance Berhad and AmFamily Takaful Berhad.
Australian travel insurer makes weak IPO debut
Shares in Cover-More Group opened down 12.5% today following the Sydney-based travel insurer’s A$521m ($460m) IPO on the Australian Securities Exchange.
AIA pens 15 year 11 country deal in Asia-Pacific with Citibank
AIA and Citibank have reached a huge 11 country 15 year bancassurance distribution agreement for life and health insurance products at Citibank's 600 strong Asia-Pacific branch network.
MetLife sponsors badminton World Superseries
US health and life insurer MetLife has signed a four year deal to sponsor the Badminton World Federation World Superseries from 2014 to 2017.
Indian GI market to grow strongly over next four years
Underinsurance in India is expected to spur growth over the next four years according to ratings agency Care Ratings.
Indonesia to roll out world's largest healthcare scheme
The Indonesian government alongside state-owned insurers will roll out an ambitious healthcare scheme for over 100m people starting in January.
Capita launches Lloyd's Singapore policy and cash management platform
Capita Insurance Services has launched the first market service for the Lloyd's community in Singapore which will help brokers and managing agents with their policy administration.
AIG sells aircraft leasing unit for $5.4bn
AIG has sold its aircraft leasing unit International Lease Finance Corp to Dutch leasing company AerCap for $5.4bn.
Crawford partners with private investigator in Australia
Global loss adjuster Crawford & Co and private investigator Ramsey Investigation Services International have signed a memorandum of understanding to help detect motor claims fraud in Australia.
Ace makes two key appointments in Asia-Pacific
Ace has appointed Glen Browne to lead its accident and health business in Asia-Pacific and Edward Kopp as the country president of Korea, Ace American Fire and Marine Insurance.
IAG buys Wesfarmers' underwriting arms
Insurance Australia Group has bought conglomerate Wesfarmers' underwriting operations for A$1.85bn (£1bn) subject to regulatory approval.
Philippines typhoon rebuilding costs to reach $3bn
According to Philippines President Aquino, the cost of rebuilding affected areas of the country after super typhoon Haiyan is likely to cost $2.94bn (130bn pesos).
Sompo Japan in talks to buy Canopius
Japanese general insurer Sompo Japan is in advanced talks to buy Lloyd's insurance group Canopius for around £600m ($970m).
Mixed outlook for Chinese general insurance market, says Fitch
Fitch Ratings believes China's continued urbanisation and rising household wealth will sustain the growth dynamics of its general insurers, but says intense rivalry will further weaken the sector's underwriting margin in 2014.
Hong Kong premiums grew 14% in first nine months of 2013
Statistics from Hong Kong's Office of the Commissioner of Insurance indicate the SAR's total gross premiums to the end of Q3 amounted to HK$216.8bn ($28bn), representing an increase of 14% over the same period in 2012.
Fitch Ratings expects further Malaysia market consolidation
In an outlook report, Fitch Ratings believes the requirement for composite insurers to segregate operations into life and general insurance units could mean further consolidation in the market.
First Singapore riots in 30 years
27 people were arrested in Singapore yesterday after a riot in Little India was triggered by the death of an Indian national.
HKFI raises doubts on Hong Kong government health scheme
The Hong Kong Federation of Insurers has hailed the progress made by private medical insurance in Hong Kong and says it has doubts over the effectiveness of the proposed Health Protection Scheme.
Lloyd's MGA Lime Underwriting to offer financial lines
US Risk (UK), which owns Oxford Insurance Brokers and James Hampden International, has started Lime Underwriting, a managing general agent at Lloyd’s, for the UK and international financial lines sectors.
QBE to make full year loss after writedown
QBE has announced it will make a full year loss of $250m after a significant writedown on the value of its US operation.
Philippines typhoon dominates November catastrophes
Super typhoon Haiyan which killed over 5 000 people dominated the November global catastrophe list.
Ace appoints Keen as head of property for Asia
Global insurer Ace has appointed Jason Keen as the new head of property in Asia.
Chinese catastrophe insurance scheme "to be launched within a year"
Moody's expert suggests Chinese social security reforms will help launch a government backed catastrophe scheme by the end of 2014.
Hong Kong confirms first H7N9 bird flu victim
After Indonesian diagnosed, Hong Kong has isolated 17 people and placed 200 under observation after confirming its first bird flu case.