Articles by Andrew Tjaardstra
Starr International opens office in Manila
Hong Kong based Starr International Insurance (Asia) is opening a branch office in Manila to provide general insurance.
WHO issues virus warning
The World Health Organisation has said the novel coronavirus, which is similar to SARS, can pass between humans.
Indian banks may need independent broking arm
An Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority report suggests a bank's broking unit will have an independent accountable unit.
Crawford's Q1 profits rise 60%
Loss adjuster Crawford has seen a healthy rise in earnings for the start of the year.
Allianz's Ankel returns to Asia
Alexander Ankel is to move from being CEO of Allianz Turkey to head of Asia for Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty.
Factory fire in Bangladesh kills at least eight
A fire at a knitwear plant in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka has killed at least eight people and injured 10 others.
Shenzhen trials disaster insurance scheme
Shenzhen, a city in South China, is set to launch a catastrophe fund pilot scheme.
Container ship hits port in Genoa killing seven
A container ship crashed into the Italian port of Genoa late on 7 May killing seven people.
HKFI urges Hong Kong to attract more marine trade
The Hong Kong Federation of Insurers has released a report into how to make its international maritime centre more competitive through tax incentives.
Survey: Natural disaster risk planning needs improvement
Although there is a greater recognition of the threat from natural disasters, there are still insufficient mitigation plans in place from companies.
Bird flu deaths rise to 31
The number of deaths from H7N9 has risen to 31 with the total number of victims climbing to 129.
Fewer claims help Munich Re in Q1 results
Reinsurer Munich Re's profits rose 20% to €979m in the first quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012.
Dock workers in Hong Kong end strike
A 40-day strike in Hong Kong has ended with dock workers agreeing a pay increase of 9.8%.
Eruption from volcano in the Philippines kills five
Five climbers on the Mayon volcano are feared dead and seven are injured after rocks and ash exploded from the mountain in a sudden eruption.
UN warns on climate change after warm 2012
The World Meteorological Organization, a United Nations agency, has said that 2012 joined the ten previous years as one of the warmest - at ninth place - on record despite the cooling influence of La Niña.
Axa Q1 revenues grow 3%
Axa revenues grew 3% to €28.9bn ($37.8bn) in the first quarter of 2013.
New India Assurance warns over government Iran oil cover
The government owned insurer has warned that an energy insurance pool to cover oil imported from Iran might not be sufficient.
Indonesia's economy grows 6% in Q1
Indonesia, the largest economy in South East Asia grew at 6% in the first quarter of 2013.
Bangladesh building collapse death toll rises above 600
More than 620 dead bodies have been recovered after the horrific building collapse in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Hong Kong's regulator comments on RBC timetable
As Hong Kong's insurance industry prepares for a risk-based capital regime, Insurance Insight asks Annie Choi, Commissioner of Insurance at the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance Hong Kong, about the implementation timetable.
Euler Hermes signs trade credit insurance agreement with HSBC
Euler Hermes is to become the exclusive supplier of trade credit insurance to HSBC's commercial banking customers.
SARS-like virus kills five in Saudi Arabia
Five people have died and two are ill in Saudi Arabia after contracting a SARS-like virus.
Asia helps spur RSA premium growth
RSA saw net written premiums rise 5% in the first quarter of 2013 including a 16% rise across Asia, South America, Eastern Europe and the Middle East (combined) and 18% in Canada.
Markel completes acquisition of Alterra
Markel has completed the acquisition of Bermuda-based insurer and reinsurer Alterra Capital Holdings for $3bn.