Italy
Aviva posts COR of 106% for H1 in Ireland
Aviva's general insurance and health business posted operating profit of £461m for the first six months of 2012, up from £455m in the first half of 2011, driven by strong UK performance.
Generali board officially appoints Greco as group CEO
The board of directors of Assicurazioni Generali co-opted Mario Greco, and appointed him to the posts of group CEO and general manager of the company, at a meeting chaired by Gabriele Galateri di Genola.
Italian quakes and UK floods hit RSA's H1 result
RSA continues to expect overseas operations to be 70% of group premiums by 2015, following strong performances in its international segments in the first half.
Allianz, Generali and Munich Re dominate as European travel insurance market prospers
European markets for travel insurance and assistance continue to flourish with Allianz, Generali and Munich Re heading the market.
Generali sees profits boost from premiums outside Italy
Generali Group has posted net profits up 4.5% to €842m (2011 H1: €806m) for the first half of 2012, with the operating result stable at €2.34bn despite significant catastrophe events.
Mapfre Assistance signs deal for Italian rental firm's fleet
Mapfre Assistance has signed a deal to manage the fleet of Italian car hire firm Car Server.
Mapfre result down 20% owing to Eurozone impairments
Mapfre's attributable result fell 20.1% to €434.2m in the first half of 2012 after provisions and impairments resulting from the Eurozone crisis.
Fitch affirms Generali's 'A-' IFS rating
Fitch has affirmed Assicurazioni Generali SpA's insurer financial strength rating at 'A-' and long-term issuer default rating at 'BBB+' on account of its solid operating performance. The outlook for both ratings is negative.
Lancashire reports hike in profit to $102.6m
Lancashire has reported a 35.5% increase in gross written premium to $514.8m in the first half of the year, compared with $379.8m in the same period in 2011, reporting growth across three of its four main classes of business.
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.
Top five European news stories
The top five European stories from www.insuranceinsight.com over the past seven days.
Perissinotto resigns from Generali board
Giovanni Perissinotto has formally resigned from the Assicurazioni Generali board of directors, having agreed to terminate all corporate ties with the Generali group.
Generali and Allianz among downgraded Italian insurers
Moody's Investors Service has downgraded three Italian insurers in reflection of the Italian sovereign’s weakening credit worthiness.
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.
RSA expects £35m hit from Italian quakes
RSA expects a net loss of £35m from the two earthquakes in Italy's Emilia-Romagna region in May, the general insurer said today.
Top five European news stories
The top five European stories from www.insuranceinsight.com over the past seven days.
Fitch withdraws ratings of Fondiaria-SAI
Ratings agency Fitch has withdrawn the ratings of Italian insurer Fondiaria-SAI owing to insufficient information.
Markel appointments aim to strengthen Italian PI team
Specialist underwriter Markel International has made two appointments in its Italian professional liability team.
Mapfre consolidates Italian position with travel tie-up
Mapfre Assistance has signed an agreement with Intermundial company,the third biggest Spanish travel insurance group by market share, to provide a range of policies on the Italian market.
Analysts claim Aviva business exit could spark shares re-rate
Analysts believe Aviva’s decision to scrap 16 of its most under-performing business units is likely to prove “challenging” given market conditions, however success could result in a shares re-rate.
Cellerini takes over from Haugh as Zurich global corporate CEO
Zurich has appointed long-standing management figure Vinicio Cellerini to the position of UK global corporate chief executive.
Aviva chairman vows to exit underperforming segments
Aviva’s new chairman has pledged to cull 16 underperforming segments as part of a business revamped strategy.
Aviva to exit 16 worst performing businesses
Aviva is to dump 16 of its worst performing business segments including its Italian partnerships businesses, UK large-scale businesses; and its South Korea business as part as an overhaul of the whole business.