AM Best
Lemma Insurance Company downgraded
Lemma Insurance Company of the Ukraine has had its issuer credit rating downgraded to 'bb' from 'bb+' and its financial strength rating of B (Fair) affirmed. The outlook for both ratings has been revised from stable to negative.
German non-life insurers' focus on rates improves profitability
The German non-life insurance market has proved to be resilient, seeing growth in 2011 and a robust 2012.
Interest rates threaten German insurers' financial strength
Low investment yields owing to persistent low interest rates are putting the financial strength of German insurers in jeopardy, Standard & Poor's said today.
Chinese market must target sustainable growth
After a period of rapid expansion, the Chinese insurance market must adjust for sustainable and healthy growth, according to a report by AM Best.
AM Best delivers verdict on 'under pressure' Spanish non-life sector
Spanish insurers could face deteriorating technical results as they compete on price, despite the sector chalking up a profitable 2011.
Results deteriorating for Spanish insurers as crisis continues
The Spanish non-life insurance sector remained profitable in 2011, but growth remains challenging amid one of the bleakest economic environments since the 1930s, according to AM Best.
New players in solicitors' professional indemnity market dampen down rates
New entrants to the solicitors' professional indemnity insurance market have kept rates competitively low for this year's 1 October renewal deadline, according to brokers.
Hyundai Marine & Fire scores ratings upgrade
South Korean insurer Hyundai Marine & Fire has had its financial strength rating upgraded to 'A' from 'A-' by AM Best.
Perception of insurance changing with next generation of Kazakhstanis
After being negatively affected by the global financial crisis Kazachstan's insurance market has enjoyed a strong recovery over the past two years which is continuing into 2012, according to a report by AM Best.
Post Top 100 UK Insurers Supplement: AM Best commentary - Flooding the market
A deluge of weather-related claims, coupled with low investment returns, continue to dampen non-life insurer performance albeit one buoyed by premium increases.
Post Top 100 UK Insurers Supplement: Top 100 Tables
AM Best's top 100 insurer rankings in full, based on Financial Services Authority returns for 2011.
Investment losses hit MENA insurers' capital
Regulations are tightening for insurers in the Middle East and North Africa as the benign conditions of previous years quickly disappear, according to a report by ratings agency AM Best.
FSC in bid to wind up Lemma in Gibraltar
The Gibraltar Financial Services Commission has been granted leave to apply for the winding up for Gibraltar-based Lemma Europe, according to a report in The Gibraltar Chronicle.
The impact of European downgrades
This year has seen an increasing number of downgrades by ratings agencies for European insurers. Anne-Louise Fogtmann investigates how seriously these are taken and their impact on insurers.
Reinsurers showing resilience under weight of catastrophes
The top 50 global reinsurers' financial positions coming out of 2011 shows the sector's resilience through one of the costliest catastrophe years in history, according to a report by AM Best.
Middle East Blog: David vs Goliath
On 24 August AM Best changed Oman Insurance Co's 'A' (Excellent) rating from negative to stable and evoked a personal, positive sentiment.
TMNF has superior rating as key earning source for Tokio Marine
Tokio Marine and Nichido Fire (Japan) has had its financial strength rating affirmed at A++ (Superior) and issuer credit rating at aa+.
Strong risk-adjusted capital sees Abu Dhabi rating at A (Excellent)
Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company has had its financial strength rating confirmed at A (Excellent) and issuer credit rating of “a”. The outlook for both ratings remains stable.
Oman Insurance outlook revised to stable after 'robust underwriting'
The Oman Insurance Company PSC (United Arab Emirates) has had its outlook revised from negative to stable after a robust underwriting performance.
Middle East Insurance Company achieves rating of 'B++'
Middle East Insurance Company has had its financial strength rating of B++ (Good) and the issuer credit rating of “bbb”, with stable outlooks.
ECIC rating affirmed by AM Best Europe
The Electrical Contractors' Insurance Company has had its A- rating affirmed with a stable outlook.
Lemma downgraded over 'deteriorating Ukrainian economy'
Ukranina insurer Lemma's financial strength rating has dropped to 'B' (fair) from 'B+' (good), reflecting economic deterioration and political uncertainty in its core Ukrainian market.
Lloyd's Insurance Co China's 'A' rating affirmed
AM Best has affirmed the financial strength rating of A (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings of 'A+' of Lloyd's (UK) and Lloyd's Insurance Company (China) Limited.
JLT and Am Trust Europe join forces to offer PI service
Broker JLT has launched a professional indemnity insurance service for sole practitioners through an exclusive relationship with insurer Am Trust Europe.