France
Euler Hermes Q1 revenues jump 5.1%
Trade credit insurer Euler Hermes has reported a 5.1% increase in revenues for the three months ended 31 March 2015 to €670m (£478m).
Willis accelerates acquisition of French giant Gras Savoye
International broker Willis has offered €550m (£392m) to buy the remaining 70% stake it doesn't own of France giant Gras Savoye.
French customers seek legal action over Aviva life contracts
A lawyer representing Aviva life insurance customers in France has registered 10 further clients in the past two weeks who want their fixed price arbitrage contracts honoured by the insurer.
Catlin completes Insure the Box sale
Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance has finalised its acquisition of Insure the Box and Drive Like a Girl from Catlin.
Germanwings loss to maintain aviation market pricing pressure
Pricing in the aviation market is expected to remain competitive in spite of the Germanwings crash on 24 March, according to AM Best.
Cathedral leads consortia for Germanwings A320 war policy
Lancashire-owned Cathedral is leading the consortia on the Lufthansa war policy for the Germanwings Airbus A320 plane that crashed in France on 24 March.
Sompo acquires 7.8% stake in Scor
Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Insurance has acquired a 7.8% stake in French reinsurer Scor.
Axa tipped to make £300m bid for Pinnacle plot
Axa is poised to buy the site for what was intended to be London’s tallest skyscraper, according to reports.
JLT sells 26.2% stake in French associate
Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group has sold its 26.2% stake in Milestone, the holding company of Siaci St Honoré, the broker's French Associate.
Cedants less likely to transfer business to reinsurers, says AM Best
Europe’s 20 largest cedants are benefitting from lower reinsurance rates and stronger bargaining power according to ratings agency AM Best.
Ace launches local cyber units throughout continental Europe
Ace Group today unveiled a new, independent cyber risk business unit designed to provide local specialist expertise across continental Europe.
Elite cites 'fantastic growth potential' as it launches French office
Niche lines insurer Elite has signalled its intention to grow in the French market with the opening of an office in Paris.
AA counter-fraud head calls for 'tough action' after fraud task force unveiled
The new government fraud task force is ‘a step in the right direction’ but more needs to be done to tackle the ‘out of control claims management industry' according to the AA's head of counter-fraud intelligence.
French floods force more than 3000 evacuations
Floods in Southern France have forced more than 3000 to evacuate their homes, while five people have lost their lives.
Equinox Global expands its presence in France
Equinox Global, the Lloyd’s cover holder, has appointed Vladimir Malenic at Equinox France, which recently moved into a new central Paris office.
Blog: Diff'rent strokes to move the world (of insurance)
As a popular 1970s/80s US sitcom noted: ‘the world don't move to the beat of just one drum; what might be right for you, may not be right for some' - a theme tune that is as relevant to insurance markets as it is in the wider world.
Assurant Solutions buys French mobile insurer
Assurant Solutions has completed its purchase of French mobile insurance administrator CWI Group.
Europe: Commission disclosure - disaster averted?
The Insurance Mediation Directive has been the subject of much conjecture in recent times. So what will the trialogue decide on - and what will the impact on insurers be?
Matthews Daniel purchased by Bureau Veritas
Independent energy claims adjuster Matthews Daniel has been acquired by French inspections expert Bureau Veritas.
Insurers behind banks on mobile offerings
Insurers continue to lag behind their banking counterparts when it comes to mobile websites and apps, according to research from CP consulting.
Cypriot insurers still suffering following bank bail-outs
The Cypriot insurance market has failed to rebound following the financial crisis despite the bail-out of both of the country’s major banks, according to a report published by Axco Insurance Information Services.
Environmental guarantees sought as Costa Concordia prepares for final voyage
France’s environment minister is seeking environmental assurances from her Italian counterpart before giving permission for the Costa Concordia to be towed past the French island of Corsica on its way to Genoa for scrappage.
UK broker market sees rapid consolidation after AJG buying spree
The UK commercial non-life broker market is consolidating faster than its main European counterparts due to the recent acquisitions made by Arthur J. Gallagher, new research from Finaccord has shown.
Europe faces more than €2bn losses from June thunderstorms
An outbreak of severe thunderstorms in June caused over €2bn economic losses across Europe, according to Impact Forecasting, the catastrophe model development centre at Aon Benfield.