Germany
Europe View from the Top: Frederik Wulff
The protective nature of the German insurance market has historically meant that local property and casualty insurers have been willing to provide generalised cover across a range of industries, ensuring profitability when claims increase, or demand…
Lufthansa's fleet grounded
The German airline Lufthansa has cancelled all but 20 flights out of 1 700 as its ground staff staff strike over pay on Monday 22 April.
Talanx targets 10% increase in net income annually
German insurer Talanx is eying annual net income growth of 10% for the next three to five years, it's chairman Herbert Haas has said.
Ace appoints environmental head for Germanic region
Ace Group has appointed of Udo Wegerhoff as environmental insurance manager for its Germanic region as it grows its environmental offering across Continental Europe.
Insurers miss opportunity to voice opinions on EU consultation on PPOs
The UK’s general insurance sector has failed to engage with a consultation on setting Solvency II liability rules, despite a European Union recommendation that 20% of the sector should contribute for the study to be credible.
Ace names chairman for Germanic region
Ace Group has promoted its country president for the Germanic region, Dankwart von Schultzendorff, to the newly created position of chairman in the same region.
Insurance Insight Q+A: Frederik Wulff
As the head of Markel-owned Anglo Underwriting, Frederik Wulff is well placed to comment on liability trends. He tells Francesca Nyman about the pitfalls of medical malpractice business, the changing regulatory environment, and new opportunities in…
IMDII: Full disclosure
The second Insurance Mediation Directive could fundamentally change the way European brokers conduct their business. But will it be kicked into the long grass? Edmund Tirbutt investigates.
Helvetia appoints new head of investor relations
Switzerland’s Helvetia Group has appointed Susanne-Christina Tengler as its head of investor relations.
Market losses support improvements to flood and windstorm database
Catastrophe insurance data provider Perils has updated the property sums insured exposed to UK flood as part of an update to its Europe Industry Exposure Database.
Talanx enjoys results boost following IPO
Talanx showed strong underwriting performance in the first full year results since its initial public offering, but there is still room for improvement according to analysts.
Mutual growth outpaces traditional insurers since the crisis
European mutual insurers have managed to wrestle 10% of the general insurance market from their traditional counterparts since 2007, a new study has shown.
Top five European news stories
The top five European stories from www.insurancensight.com over the past seven days.
Hamburg Internationale acquires run-off portfolio
Hamburg Internationale Rückversicherung, part of Tawa Group, has acquired Lower Insurance AG’s run-off portfolio.
GDV asks for relaxing of green investment rules
German insurers want regulators to ease rules restricting their ability to invest in renewable energy and infrastructure, according to trade body GDV.
Talanx targets net income of over €650m in 2013
German insurance giant Talanx saw earnings before interest and taxes reach €1.8bn in 2012, up 42% on the previous year.
Hannover Re completes its conversion to an SE
Hannover Re has completed its conversion to a European Company,Societas Europaea, following its entry in the commercial register of Hannover County Court.
Warranty gap insurance catching on in Continental Europe
Increased awareness of warranty and indemnity insurance is spurring the growth of the market in European territories, according to CMS Cameron McKenna.
GWP for mobile goods will be worth $14.6bn by 2016
The global market for extended warranties and insurance for mobile goods is expected to surge 46.3% from $10bn to $14.6bn by 2016.
Allianz forecasts stable operating profit in 2013
Allianz chief executive Michael Diekmann said today the firm expects operating profit in the region of €9.2bn in 2013.
Generali posts 10.5% rise in operating profit
Generali posted a 10.5% increase in group wide operating profit to €4.22bn in 2012.
DLG posts improved international COR after reserve releases
Direct Line Group saw a return to underwriting profit for the 2012 financial year as it posted a combined operating ratio of 99.2%.
Allianz Worldwide Care posts 27% GWP growth
International health insurer Allianz Worldwide Care posted a 27% increase in gross written premiums for the 2012 financial year.
DLG improves combined ratio to 99.2%
Direct Line Group has reported a 9.3% rise in operating profit for ongoing operations to £461.2m (2011: £421.9m) including an underwriting profit of £28.2m compared to a loss in 2011 of £72.3m and a combined operating ratio of 99.2% (2011: 101.8%).