Germany
Half of CEOs responsible for risk management as terrorism tops concerns
The chief executive or chief operating officer has formal responsibility for risk management at 50% of European companies, according to a new survey which found that companies feel underprepared for terrorism and political violence risks.
EC approves acquisition of Groupama's Gan by Allianz France
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation Allianz's proposed acquisition of a non-life insurance portfolio of Groupama-owned Gan Eurocourtage.
Top five European news stories
The top five European stories from www.insuranceinsight.com over the past seven days.
Talanx subsidiary HDI-Gerling Industrie opens in Bahrain
Talanx subsidiary HDI-Gerling Industrie Versicherung AG is opening a branch in Bahrain.
Allianz champions sustainability with 'first' ESG advisory board
Allianz has established an advisory board for company-wide environmental, social and governance issues which it says is the first of its kind.
Travel cancellation insurance must be opt-in, ECJ rules
Online travel agents can no longer automatically include travel cancellation insurance in the price of plane tickets bought on the internet, following a ruling by the European Court of Justice.
IMD2 - a level playing field?
Legislative proposals released this month by the European Commission for the Insurance Mediation Directive have met with mixed reviews. Victor Fornasier asks whether they will finally create a level playing field.
European Union liability trends raise 'supra-national' challenges
UK Prime Minister David Cameron has hinted that he wants to rein in Europe's legislative power. Ralph Savage looks at the effects it is having on European insurers.
Hannover Re installs Agencyport 'what if' risk management suite
Hannover Re has installed Agencyport risk management software in six of its Worldwide offices and will roll out to further offices in due course.
Magma gets IRDA nod for joint venture in India
Asset financing company Magma Fincorp has gained approval from India's insurance regulator to start a general insurance joint venture.
View from the top: Eyes wide shut?
It is hard to read news reports that do not contain stories about the latest cyber data breach, or information on 'spyware' and computer espionage.
Analysis: Major events in the Russian insurance market in Q2 2012
Highlights for the Russian insurance market for Q2 include a number of important personnel reshuffles, several companies being sold and problems with a high roller. Paul Koshik reports.
XL seeks to increase "regional presence" with German appointments
XL has expanded its underwriting team for middle market firms in Germany with the appointment of two senior underwriters.
Asia’s next big growth market
Asia-Pacific is still very much the place to be in insurance terms but as Jenni Marsh reports the less traditional markets, outside of China and Japan, are expected to be the real growth stories in the coming years.
Mandatory commission – an necessary evil?
Rumors of mandatory commission disclosure have plagued the market since the start of the year but as the European Commission confirms brokers fears Francesca Nyman assesses the impact on European brokers.
Commission disclosure overhaul could hit Germany hardest
Commission disclosure requirements in the revised Insurance Mediation Directive would have a particular impact on the German market according to law firm Norton Rose.
Talanx completes Warta aquisition
Talanx International AG has completed the acquisition of Polish insurance company TUiR Warta SA from KBC.
View from the Top: Winds of change in the power industry
Germany's policy shift towards renewable energies has been a tremendous boost to wind-farm prospects.
A mutual future?
Regulations like Solvency II will have a significant impact on mutuals across Europe. Francesca Nyman asks whether the model will survive.
Belgian mutual becomes Allianz's second acquisition this month
Allianz Belgium has agreed to acquire the insurance activities of Mensura CCA and its subsidiary Mensura Assurances SA.
Talanx may rethink July IPO owing to market volatility
German insurance group Talanx is thought to be considering postponing its initial public offering slated for July, as market volatility continues following Greece's election, Reuters reported.
German regulator seeks insurance supervisor head
Bafin, the German financial regulator, is seeking a new head of insurance supervision.
Solarif and HDI Gerling partner with LDK Solar for complete PV cover
Solar insurance and finance firm Solarif has partnered with solar photovoltaic manufacturer LDK Solar to offer customers what it claims is the first full insurance package at the system level.
Axa moves to loans to diversify investment portfolio
Insurance group Axa will offer loans to mid-cap companies in France as the firm looks to diversify its investment portfolio.