Germany
Uniqa exits Germany as Continentale aquires Mannheimer
The Continentale insurance group has signed an agreement to acquire 92% of the shares of Mannheimer AG Holding from Austrian firm Uniqa.
Are you listening to your customer?
The perception in the insurance market is that all customers care about is price but, as Geoffrey Godding and John Cooper reveal, a recent survey highlighted that brand, financial security and insurer interaction are just as important.
The challenges of the solar market
Solar power is a firm part of the green movement in Europe but, with government cuts becoming increasingly common, Jakki May asks whether this renewable energy will continue to be affordable and efficient.
Insurance Insight – top 10 stories
The top 10 most popular articles on insuranceinsight.eu over the past seven days.
Allianz buys wind farms as part of renewables investment
German insurer Allianz has bought two recently completed wind farms in France from Nordex SE.
ISE 2012: UK regulator’s emphasis on board role in risk management could attract “wrong” sort of execs
Following the bank crisis the Financial Services Authority in the UK has focused more closely on the board’s role in risk management in a move which could be bad for non-executive directors according to a legal expert.
Talanx 'thoroughly satisfied' after posting €1.2bn profit
German insurance giant Talanx was "thoroughly satisfied" after increasing operating profit 21% to €1.2bn for 2011, despite a turbulent year for the eurozone and high incidences of natural catastrophes.
ISE 2012: Interest in cyber insurance 'overwhelming' in Europe
Speaking at Insurance Insight's inaugural Insurance Strategy Europe event, Jacob Ingerslev, European underwriting director for technology and cyber risks at CNA, said that interest from Europe in cyber crime insurance is growing rapidly.
ISE 2012: Portugal to follow Greece but sovereign defaults won't 'cripple' insurers
Kurt Karl, managing director, chief economist and head of economic research and consulting at Swiss Re, has predicted that Portugal will be the next nation to default, but that it will not cripple the insurance industry.
Generali profit hit by €1,017m one-off impairments
Generali posted reduced profits for the full year 2011 due to impairments from Greek write-downs and its Telco investment to the tune of €1,017m.
European insurers win ground in Solvency II debate
European Union insurers could be spared the full impact of solvency rules owing to a last-minute agreement on Thursday between senior lawmakers.
Hannover Re latest group to reveal nat cat hit with 2011 results
Hannover Re this morning reported that its gross written premium in total business increased by 5.8% to Eur 12.1bn (2010: Eur 11.4bn).
Munich Re CEO von Bomhard forecasts €2.5bn profit for 2012 after good start
Munich Re has made a good start to 2012 and is aiming for a profit of around €2.5bn, according to CEO Nikolaus von Bomhard.
Social media-based broker heralded as five years ahead of the game
While the UK insurance industry is still trying to understand the financial merits of social media, one German online-based broker has already started using Facebook to encourage its users and their friends to sign up for cover.
Admiral overseas losses increase to £15.1m but policycount soars to 4.1m
Admiral Group has reported that its two international operations – motor and aggregator – increased their losses to £15.1m (2010: £12.8m loss) in 2010.
Kiln launches into specialist property with appointment in Paris
Kiln has appointed a new underwriter in Paris to focus on a broad range of property facultative reinsurance risks across Europe.
European construction – back to good health?
Construction markets have suffered across the globe with the financial downturn biting hard. Edward Murray investigates whether there are any glimmers of hope for the European market in 2012.
Protection needed for consumers to embrace 'mobile wallets'
Consumer interest in mobile transactions would be "exponentially higher" if secure protection products were an option, according to a survey on mobile trends by specialty insurer Assurant Solutions.
Generali reports 5.5% fall in premiums
Italy-based insurer Generali reported a 5.5% reduction in premiums for the full year 2011, despite the solid performance of the non-life segment.
Allianz revenues down 2.7% to €103.6bn
German general insurer Allianz reported a 2.7% reduction in revenues for the full year 2011, down to €103.6bn from €106.5bn in 2010.
Cigna relocates Europe HQ to London
Insurer Cigna is relocating the European headquarters of its international health, life and accident business from Madrid to London in a bid to be closer to its largest revenue stream.
Perils expects €267m losses from Windstorm Andrea
Independent Zurich-based firm Perils has disclosed its initial loss estimate for windstorm Andrea as €267m.
View from the Top: Maritime trade, empires and insurance in Holland and the UK
The 17th century saw the Dutch and the English competing for control over the seas and trade routes, which both countries rightly saw as fundamental to their economic and political standing.
Axa Germany appoints CEO
Axa has named Thomas Buberl as chief executive officer of Axa Germany, subject to approval by regulatory authorities.