Germany
Average strength of companies deteriorates in Europe
Trade credit insurer Coface has reduced its 2011 forecasts for much of Europe following a deterioration of the average strength of companies.
Coface downgrades forecasts
Trade credit insurer Coface has downgraded its forecasts for the US and much of Europe claiming financial market volatility “has spread to the real economy”.
European fleet insurance market worth €18bn by 2015
The European market for fleet motor insurance is expected to be worth more than €18bn by 2015, according to Finaccord.
European insurers vie for KBC's Polish Warta
Several European insurers are believed to be in the running to acquire Polish insurance company Warta from Belgium's KBC, according to reports from Polish financial daily, Parkiet.
Insurance Insight weekly update live
Insurance Insight’s weekly update is live with an article on how European insurers will be affected by US Asbestos, Pollution and Health Liabilities when Solvency II is implemented; and a guest blog on brokers putting business out to auction.
Guest blog: Offer to sell?
I recently had an interesting debate with a seasoned insurance practitioner, the chief executive officer of an insurance company in the Middle East and Africa region.
Westfaelische Provinzial Versicherung AG upgraded to 'AA'
Insurer Westfaelische Provinzial Versicherung AG has had its insurer financial strength ratings upgraded to 'AA' from 'A+' with stable outlook.
Risk managers skills poll result
Have risk managers had a adapt their skills-set?
Weak technical results threaten profitability in French, German and UK motor
Motor insurers in Germany, the UK, and France face an uphill struggle for profitability and are unlikely to break even on their underwriting results for several years, according to a report by Standard and Poor’s.
PwC names chair of actuarial services network
Richard Batty is to chair PwC’s actuarial services network. In his new role, Batty will work with Bryan Joseph, PwC’s global actuarial leader, to develop the company's global actuarial consulting practice.
France and Germany lagging behind on Solvency II
French and German insurers are behind UK counterparts when it comes to Solvency II, according to Fitch.
European insurance market facing critical moment
The European non-life insurance sector is approaching critical moments, with economic, regulatory and market forces set to severely test the industry as a whole, according to a report from AM Best.
Insurance Insight October is now live
Insurance Insight October is now live with an article on ratings across Europe; a look at how a huge cloudburst in July has affect the Danish insurance market; and an interview with Alberto Corinit, formerly of the CEA and CEIOPS.
Ratings watch: the risk of negative outlooks
The Greek sovereign debt crisis has raised questions about insurers’ investment portfolios and the ratings they attract because of this. Jakki May explains why brokers should be aware of the issue to provide the best service to their customers.
German non-life sector remains stable, according to Fitch
The outlook for the German non-life insurance sector remains stable, according to a new report from Fitch ratings service.
German insurers face endurance test, says S&P
German insurers are being tested by challenging conditions in the financial markets, according to Standard and Poor’s.
European contract law poll result
Does the European insurance market need an optional contract law?
Insurance Insight weekly update live
Insurance Insight’s weekly update is live with an article on International geocoding; and a View from the Top on the importance of collaboration and partnership for the modern broker.
BIS 2011: EU economy could go into meltdown, warns former Bank of England boss
The former deputy governor of the Bank of England Sir John Gieve has forecasted the European economy will either slowly limp along to recovery and see unemployment rise or go into complete meltdown.
Delta Lloyd creates dedicated wind team
Dutch insurer Delta Lloyd is creating a dedicated wind energy team, to take advantage of its experience in the sustainable growth market.
Insurance Insight weekly update live
Insurance Insight’s weekly update is live with an article on the pitfalls and opportunities with exporting to the US; and a View from the Top the different approaches being adopted for environmental liability.
Exporting to the US: pitfalls and potential
Exporting to the US could be a solution to Europe’s economic problems but as Pat Drinan explains brokers looking to help out firms venturing into this market need to watch their own back as well as their clients.
View from the top: Environmental variations cause issues
Differing approaches adopted by individual European countries have added complexity to the issue of environmental liability.
Whiplash - Britain: The European whiplash capital
With its proportion of whiplash claims far outstripping any other European nation, what must the UK do to curb this cause of claims inflation?