United States of America (USA)
Counter-fraud specialist Gracey goes solo
Crawford & Company's former counter-fraud boss Bobby Gracey has set up his own consultancy firm after quitting a senior role at the US investigation firm Global Options.
London market presence set to contract as Beazley targets US
Beazley is expecting continued growth in the US alongside a London market reduction after its US operation aided a 61% increase in group-wide profit before tax of $132.9m (£77.8m) in the opening six months of the year.
Xchanging hires Oracle's Baker as MD for Xuber
Xuber, Xchanging’s insurance software business, has appointed Chris Baker, formerly a senior vice president of Oracle, as managing director of Xuber within Xchanging Technology Services.
Tropical storm Arthur set to graze Florida
The first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season will brush the Florida coastline later today, before strengthening near the end of the week.
Aviva poaches Great Eastern chief
The chief executive of Great Eastern, Chris Wei, is to join Aviva as head of its global life insurance business and Asia chairman.
Markel to underwrite US trade credit from New York office
Markel Corporation will underwrite trade credit insurance in the United States from its New York office as of next month.
International: Best Practices for EU Insurers Filing US ORSA Summary Reports
Kristi M Robles gives a few pointers on filing ORSA reports in different jurisdictions
Wunelli targets US after striking deal with Chinese insurer
UK telematics provider Wunelli has signalled its intention to launch into the American and Chinese insurance markets following its takeover by US firm Lexis Nexis.
Ex-Guy Carpenter boss Flandro joins JLT Towers Re
JLT Towers Re has swooped to make Guy Carpenter’s David Flandro its global head of strategic advisory.
Healthy Pets plotting USA expansion
Healthy Pets is to launch in the USA this summer in collaboration with American insurer Pet First.
Brit chalks up marginal GWP growth in Q1
Growth of 8.2% within Brit’s direct business contributed to group-wide gross written premium of £336.5m in the opening three months of the year (Q1 2013: £332.6m).
Airclaims lands in Vancouver
McLarens-owned aviation loss specialist Airclaims has expanded its Canadian operation with the launch of a new office in Vancouver.
Integro appoints Clements chairman and names executive committee
US broking and risk management firm Integro has appointed John Clements as chairman of its board of directors. Rocco Nittoli has been named vice chairman of the board.
Quindell signs deal as Ebitda rises
Quindell has reported gross sales of almost £163m in the first quarter of 2014, as its subsidiary 360 Globalnet has agreed two five-year property claims deals worth £20m with an unnamed direct UK insurer.
Four insurers subpoenaed in Iran sanctions probe
Four US insurers have been subpoenaed by New York’s Department of Financial Services as part of its investigation into potential sanctions breaches involving Iran.
Quindell boss optimistic on swift full listing as attention turns stateside
Quindell executive chairman Rob Terry has described the early June target for a full listing on the London Stock Exchange as a “conservative estimate” and has underlined his interest in seeking a dual listing in the US.
Digital Channels: The future is digital
Insurers must perform a root and branch review of their digital channels if they want to remain competitive in the coming years.
BMS names reinsurance veteran head of US broking business
BMS has appointed Andrew Bustillo as president and chief executive of its US broking arm BMS Intermediaries.
Kiln buys 49% of Lloyd’s cyber coverholder NAS
Kiln has purchased a 49% stake in NAS Insurance, one of the largest cyber producers in the Lloyd’s market.
Fracking: Frack to the future
With the government pushing hydraulic fracturing in the UK, how will developments in this market affect insurers and what risks does it entail?
Brit achieves record COR following benign cat year
Brit Insurance chalked up a record combined operating ratio of 85.2% in its second full year since turning its focus to global specialty underwriting at Lloyd’s.
UK pet insurance market expected to remain stable
The outlook for UK pet insurers remains positive over the next five years following a 35% increase in the market between 2008 to 2012, according to an insurance software provider.
US January insurance storm claims hit $1.4bn
Catastrophe modeller Impact Forecasting said January's weather in the US cost insurers at least $1.4bn and economic losses of $3bn. Asia also saw its fair share of cold weather in January.
Marsh report highlights falling UK insurance rates last quarter
Insurance rates in the UK mirrored those of Continental Europe and Asia-Pacific in falling in the fourth quarter of last year, according to Marsh’s latest global insurance market quarterly briefing.