Australia
QBE signs analytics partnership with WNS
India-based global business process management company WNS has signed a worldwide deal with Sydney-based insurance giant QBE.
Gen Re to close Hong Kong and Melbourne offices in restructure
Gen Re, a global reinsurer owned by Berkshire Hathaway, has decided to close six property and casualty offices after an evaluation of the business.
Northern Australia taskforce warns on government cyclone mutual
A Northern Australia taskforce has found a government mandated cyclone insurance scheme would cost taxpayers around A$5bn (£2.6bn) to help reduce premiums.
Steadfast's profit climbs 81% in first half
Australian broker network and underwriting agency Steadfast saw after tax profits climb 81% in the first half of fiscal year 2016 to A$37.9m (£19.4m).
IAG's half year profits fall 19.5% as provisions for 2011 Christchurch earthquake rise
Australian giant IAG is still counting the cost of the 2011 Christchurch earthquake and announced a 19.5% fall in profits for the first half of the 2015/16 financial year.
Patrick Snowball: bankers and regulators are ruining the GI market
Many of the UK’s major general insurance companies are suffering because their boards have turned the businesses into pseudo-banks, and manage them accordingly to pacify the authorities.
Zurich rebalances in Asia-Pacific as premium declines
Zurich's general insurance division has taken corrective steps over the last year in Asia-Pacific to concentrate on more profitable growth.
Victoria bushfire claims rise above A$150m
The devastating Christmas time fire in Victoria known as the Great Ocean Road bushfire has now cost insurers over A$150m (£74m).
Suncorp's CEO cites climate change as half year insurance profits fall 29%
Michael Cameron, CEO of Queensland based financial services group Suncorp, said a record run of natural disasters were hampering the company's performance.
Gallagher to snub 'major' deals in 2016 and may raise up to £300m from debt markets
Arthur J Gallagher chairman, president and CEO Patrick Gallagher Junior has today said the firm has no “large deals on its plate” and that any buys would be “tuck in” ones.
Claims Club Asia rebrands as Claims Club Asia-Pacific
The Claims Club Asia has been renamed Claims Club Asia-Pacific in a new look for 2016.
Barrowman moves from Australia to JLT Hong Kong
Andrew Barrowman has joined JLT Asia as CEO of the global broker's Hong Kong office.
Howe given QBE emerging markets risk role after Kuk departs
QBE has made several changes to its emerging markets executive team following the departure of chief risk officer Victor Kuk for Swiss Re.
Australia's brokers exempt from financial adviser training
Insurance brokers are exempt from new government training requirements for financial advisers in Australia.
XL Catlin opens Brisbane office
XL Catlin is adding to its offices in Melbourne and Sydney by opening a third Australian office in Brisbane.
Zurich appoints Australia and New Zealand CEO
Zurich has appointed Rajbir Singh Nanra as its CEO for Australia and New Zealand.
Australia's insured summer disaster bill reaches A$515m
Four catastrophes in Australia this summer have already cost insurers over A$515m (£250m) according to the Insurance Council of Australia.
Bomb blasts rock central Jakarta
At least seven people have died after multiple bomb blasts in central Jakarta.
IAG used drones to help assess Victoria bushfire damage
Australian insurance giant IAG is using drones to help assess damage from bushfires for the first time.
A$60m of claims from Western Australia bushfires, says ICA
There has now been an estimated A$60m (£29m) of claims from bushfires in Western Australia according to the Insurance Council of Australia.
Ace announces future Australia management team
Ace has announced the leadership team in Australia once the acquisition of Chubb is completed.
ICA declares New South Wales storm a catastrophe
The Insurance Council of Australia has declared the storm over the last few days in New South Wales a catastrophe.
Analysis: The rise of Australia's broker networks
James Chalmers explains why Australia's broker networks are expanding beyond their traditional independent broker network base.
Insured catastrophe losses were $27bn in 2015, says Munich Re
Insured natural catastrophe losses were $27bn (£18.3bn) in 2015 down from $31bn in 2014 and an average of $34bn over the past 30 years according to reinsurance giant Munich Re.