France
Picknett leaves Groupama as restructure continues
Groupama Insurances has confirmed that 20 positions are at risk in the finance, IT, HR and marketing teams as the company moves to reduce expenses and restructure its central support functions.
Solvency II: To 2015 and beyond
Solvency II implementation is almost upon us but, as Martin Bradley and Jan Leiding explain, European insurers' preparedness varies significantly between countries and companies.
More pragmatic solution for Solvency II needed, says L&G chief
The head of UK insurer Legal & General has lambasted proposed Solvency II measures, saying they are unlikely to work in their current form and may need to be redrawn, Reuters reported.
Ferrets help to boost BGL sales in France
BGL Group has rebranded its French price comparison business as Lesfurets.com, or 'The Ferrets'.
BGL relaunches French comparison site with ferrets
The BGL Group has revealed the new identity of its price comparison business in France as Lesfurets.com or 'The ferrets'.
AM Best removes Aviva subsidiaries from under review
AM Best has reaffirmed the 'A' financial strength rating and 'A+' issuer credit rating of the insurance subsidiaries of British insurer Aviva.
Top five European news stories
The top five European news stories from www.insuranceinsight.com over the past seven days.
Europe's climate change risks in the spotlight
Natural catastrophes and disasters are an important area of research and development in the insurance world, says BrokersLink's Paul Bitner.
Axa reports P&C growth in Turkey, Mexico and Gulf with Q3 results
Axa Group has reported total revenues up 1% to €68.4bn for the first nine months of 2012.
Axa revenues up 3.7%
Axa group results show improvement in revenues across the business, with P&C growing just over 5%.
European financial services firms struggling to create paperless offices
A new study ahead of World Paper Free Day on 25 October suggests that the paperless office remains beyond the reach of many European firms.
European insurers still not transparent on exec pay and tax havens, claims report
Analysis of 31 European banks and insurance companies in four areas of corporate social responsibility has found that nearly 50 points separate the best and worst scores.
French motor market to shift following annuity policy change
The re-evaluation of motor annuities by the French government will create long-term challenges for French motor insurers, according to Willis Re, the reinsurance arm of broker Willis Group.
Risk management linked to good corporate performance
Maturity of risk management processes is correlated with sustainable improvements in corporate performance, according to the 2012 Risk Management Benchmarking Survey of the Federation of European Risk Management Associations.
Q&A: Zurich's Steve Green
Regulation, compliance and a difficult trading environment are posing problems for insurance companies in Europe, but the region still has huge potential. Steve Green, middle market network leader at Zurich, explains how to grasp the opportunities for…
Nearly half of insurers won't be Solvency II ready by 2014
While 57% of insurers across Europe think they are on track to comply with Solvency II by January 2014, readiness varies significantly by country, according to Ernst & Young.
Groupama downgraded after non-payment of coupon
Groupama Group has been downgraded by Standard and Poor's following the French insurer's statement on Friday that it will not pay the next coupon on 22 October on junior subordinated notes issued in 2007.
Miller opens Paris office
Specialist broker Miller has opened an office in Paris in a bid to increase its reinsurance presence in Europe.
Axa launches Simple second wave
French insurer Axa has expanded its Simple product range designed to be traded online.
XL adds seven new hires to continental casualty team
XL has added seven underwriters to its casualty team to meet the growing demand for liability solutions throughout Europe.
French treasury to raise €800m via tax on insurers
French insurers and reinsurers face a 7% hike in the exit tax on capitalisation reserves, if proposals in the 2013 budget go ahead.
Pricing and claims improving in French GI sector
The French general insurance sector's outlook is stable, despite weak volume growth over the past 12 months, according to Fitch.
Covéa launches in UK
Covéa Insurance, the business created from the merger of MMA Insurance and Provident Insurance, launched today, promising to deliver "the quality, consistency and financial reassurance that our broker partners and customers value".
Covéa Insurance CEO Reader looking ahead following official launch
Covéa Insurance, the business formed following the merger of MMA Insurance and Provident Insurance, has been officially launched today.