Australia
Storm could cost A$1bn to clean up, says Brisbane mayor
Brisbane mayor Graham Quirk has said the hailstorm on 27 November is the costliest storm event for insurers in 30 years.
HWL Ebsworth acquires insurance practice in Adelaide
Independent Australian law firm HWL Ebsworth is to acquire two law firms with insurance offerings early next year.
C-Suite: Australia's not-so-big disasters
An Australian broker gives his verdict on some key business risks in his country less likely to make the national headlines.
EY's Kam to become Hiscox's chief risk officer
Hiscox’s interim chief risk officer Hanna Kam is to take up the role on a permanent basis, subject to regulatory approval.
Brisbane hailstorm claims to cost at least A$482m
The losses from last week's Brisbane hailstorm keep on rising.
Brisbane storm claims rise to over 57,000
The number of insurance claims from last week's huge hailstorm in Brisbane have climbed to 57,970 as of Tuesday morning.
Ace shuffles Australian financial lines team
Insurer Ace has promoted two staff and recruited a former broker in its Australian financial lines division.
Premiums in 'emerging Asia' to grow 12.8% in 2015, says Swiss Re
According to reinsurance giant Swiss Re general insurance premiums in 'emerging Asia' countries are set to grow 12.8% on average in 2015.
Almost 40,000 claims from Brisbane storm
Last week's supercell storm in Brisbane has led to 39,677 insurance claims and will cost insurers over A$200m (£108m).
Austbrokers becomes largest broker network in New Zealand
Austbrokers has bought broker network BrokerWeb Management in New Zealand.
Thousands of claims after huge hailstorm hits Brisbane
Insurers have received over 8,000 claims after a huge hailstorm yesterday in Australia's third largest city.
Chinese insurer buys Sydney's Sheraton on the Park
Sunshine Insurance has splashed out A$463m (£254m) on the iconic Sydney hotel.
Australia's first telematics app created by Wunelli
Wunelli has created Australia’s first smartphone telematics app for motor insurance after teaming up with telematics insurer Insurance Box.
Rolling Stones in legal battle over cancelled Australia concerts
The Rolling Stones are in a legal battle over a payout in lost earnings for their cancelled tour dates in Australia and New Zealand.
Corporations Act discouraging information sharing, says ICA
The Insurance Council of Australia has criticised the Corporations Act for not allowing insurers to give more policy information to customers.
Foreign insurers allowed into North Queensland
The Australian government is allowing foreign insurers access to North Queensland's home insurance market in an attempt to drive down prices.
Global Federation of Insurance Associations gives ICA's Whelan executive role
Robert Whelan, executive director and CEO of the Insurance Council of Australia, has become the membership executive at the GFIA.
Triton bolsters Asia-Pacific adjusting arm
Triton Adjusting Asia-Pacific has appointed Jason Olivo as a senior engineering adjuster.
Ace creates Asia-Pacific distribution unit
Insurer Ace has created a business unit to focus on distribution strategies across Asia-Pacific.
Cunningham Lindsey hires Griffin as head of forensic advisory services
Cunningham Lindsey has appointed Matthew Griffin as head of forensic advisory services within its major and complex loss team after moving from Cunningham Lindsey Australia.
Australian Lloyd's coverholder Mobius appoints general manager
Stuart Warden has been promoted to general manager at Lloyd's coverholder Mobius Underwriting Australasia, part of SLE Holdings.
Competition in Australia heating up
Competition amongst Australia’s insurers is continuing to intensify as the soft market dynamics show little sign of changing, writes Nicky Burridge.
Research centre warns on Australia summer bushfire risk
The Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre in Australia is warning of a greater than normal chance of bushfires across much of Australia for summer 2014-15.
Austbrokers racks up 10.5% rise in 2014 after-tax profits
Sydney-based insurance company Austbrokers has chalked up ninth successive year of double-digit earnings growth with a net profit after tax of A$35.5m (£20m) for 2014 (2013: A$32.1m).