Articles by Andrew Tjaardstra
Hong Kong considers more regulation of investment-linked products
The Securities and Futures Commission, government and regulators in Hong Kong want more protection for investors in investment-linked insurance products.
QBE's 2012 profit below forecast; 700 jobs to be offshored
Global insurer QBE had an 8% increase in profit last year, but this fell below expectations as natural catastrophes hit the bottom line.
Indian insurers want tax breaks for personal insurance
The insurance industry in India is calling for tax breaks on personal cover such as home, personal accident and travel to help increase access to the products across the country.
Vijayan appointed chairman of Indian regulator
The Indian government has appointed T S Vijayan, former head of the Life Insurance Corporation, as chairman of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority.
Cost of class action settlements in Australia doubles in five years
A rise in shareholder class actions are increasing premiums for directors' and officers' insurance in Australia, according to law firm King & Wood Mallesons.
Autorickshaw unions in India complain about insurance hike
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority in India wants to increase third party premiums for autorickshaw drivers annoying autorickshaw unions.
Singapore's finance and insurance sector sees growth in Q4 2012
In the fourth quarter of 2012, year on year GDP growth in Singapore's finance and insurance sector was 3.3%, but growth deteriorated from the third quarter of 2012.
Earthquake strikes south China
A 4.8 magnitude earthquake in southern Guangdong province, on Friday morning (22 February), caused some disruption to Heyuan City, near the epicentre,and was felt in Hong Kong.
IAG triples profit
Insurance Australia Group tripled its profit in the second half of 2012, the first half of its financial year.
Two day strike hits Indian economy
Hundreds of thousands of private sector and government employees are on strike in India protesting over government reforms.
Northdoor launches cloud platform for Asian start-ups
UK-based IT consultancy Northdoor has launched a cloud-based system for insurance start-ups in Asia.
China readies for first online insurer
The Chinese Insurance Regulatory Commission is set to approve the first internet only insurer which will be owned by nine shareholders including internet firm Alibaba and insurer Ping An.
Towers Watson adds to M&A team in Singapore
Professional services firm Towers Watson has appointed Alan Merten (pictured) as director, risk consulting & software, and a member of its Asia Pacific leadership team.
Landslides and floods in Indonesia kill 15
Seven hamlets were left devastated by landslides and floods in Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi province in Indonesia, after torrential rain.
United India Insurance targets rural retail growth
The United India Insurance chairman and managing director wants to increase premiums to 10bn rupees ($1.84bn) by the end of the fiscal year.
7-Elevens to sell insurance in Thailand
Insurance with a maximum value of 1 000 baht will be sold at 7-Elevens across Thailand.
Three bids for major Turkish insurance business
Allianz, Dai-ichi Life and Zurich are in the process of making bids for Yapi Kredi Sigorta, the insurance arm of Yapi Kredi Bank in Turkey, according to senior banking sources.
India to insure oil refineries that trade with Iran
Despite western sanctions on Iran, the Indian government will step in to make sure its oil refineries have sufficient insurance so they continue refining crude oil imported from Iran.
Zurich GI profit falls in 2012
Zurich blames weather losses for fall in profitability, but saw increase in premiums and is confident German reserving problem was a one-off.
Insurance CEOs upbeat about Asia and the Middle East, says PWC
The majority of insurance CEOs think their businesses are going to grow over the next few years according to PWC 16th annual global CEO survey.
Lockton expands in Australia
Lockton has expanded in Australia with the purchase of Melbourne-based niche insurance broker Strategic Insurance & Risk Solutions.
Hong Kong Federation of Insurers warns of over-regulation
A senior member of the HKFI wants important changes made to the proposed remit of the new Hong Kong independent regulator, as the industry moves away from self-regulation.
Australia claims in 2013 top AUS$670m
Four disasters across Australia in 2013 are expected to cost insurers more than AUS$670m as claims continue to come in.
Indonesia begins tsunami shelter construction
The Indonesian government has allocated 16 trillion rupiah ($1.6bn) to build shelters and support areas that are early affected by tsunami-related disasters.