United States of America (USA)
Zurich GI profit falls after Sandy and German 'system error'
Operating profit in Zurich's general insurance business dropped by $150m to $2.1bn year-on-year in 2012 after above average catastrophe and weather-related losses offset gains made through tighter underwriting discipline and expense management.
Willis reveals $446m net loss
Global broker Willis recorded a net loss of $446m for the 2012 financial year, in stark contrast to the previous year’s $203m profits.
Patrick Gallagher to quit UK business
Gallagher Heath head of retail Patrick Gallagher is returning to his native US next month to take up a new retail role, Post has learnt.
Steady growth at Marsh and Guy Carpenter
Marsh and Guy Carpenter have both seen revenues increase for the year ending 31 December.
Aviva "delivering on promise" to strengthen cost base
Aviva should be viewed as a "strong restructuring story" given most of the "heavy lifting" to improve its cost base has been completed through the disposal of underperforming business units, according to equity analysts Panmure Gordon.
Blizzard alerts raised on US East Coast
The US National Weather Service has sent out text message alerts to US East Coast residents warning of a blizzard due to hit the region over the weekend.
Axis acquisition to drive international expansion at York
York Risk Services Group has acquired loss adjuster Axis as part of the company’s plans to expand international growth.
Dual partners with Everest Re on international D&O programme
In partnership with Everest Reinsurance Company, Dual Specialty Underwriters has launched an international directors’ and officers’ programme aimed at foreign companies listed on US securities markets through American Depository Receipts.
Ankara embassy attack indicates rising terrosim risk
An attack on the US Embassy in Ankara suggests that the capability of terrorist organisation the Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front or a PKK splinter group to attack state and diplomatic assets has increased, according to Exclusive Analysis.
Sandy set to generate lengthy legal battles amid deductibles debate
Settlements over the first disputes to arise from claims relating to Superstorm Sandy are unlikely to be reached until the middle of 2014 at the earliest.
Ace reports 76% rise in net income
Ace has reported a 76% increase in net income to $2.71bn (£1.72bn) in 2012 compared to the previous year (2011: $1.54bn).
Half of insurers doubt effectiveness of social media marketing
Marketers in the insurance sector could inadvertently turn customers off by irritating them with their online behavior, according to a new study.
P&C insurers better placed than life firms to weather economic storm
Property and casualty insurers are better positioned to withstand a slow growth environment compared to life insurers, which will be more impacted by the weak global economy given they are mainly "discretionary" purchases and the low interest rates,…
View from the Top: London looking for leadership
Independent brokers in the capital must adapt to survive the US-led private equity feeding frenzy, says Toby Esser.
Starr's Asia plans boosted by AIG hire
Maurice 'Hank' Greenberg's insurance group Starr International has appointed Jeffrey Hayman as president of international insurance operations.
Legal forecasts: Predictions on Florida, Italy, Poland and the UK for 2013
In the second of a two-part series Insurance Insight asked members of Insuralex, the global group of specialist insurance and reinsurance lawyers, to highlight their thoughts and predictions for the new year.
Legal forecasts: Predictions for the UAE, US and Germany for 2013
In the first of a two-part series Insurance Insight asked members of Insuralex, the global group of specialist insurance and reinsurance lawyers, to highlight their thoughts and predictions for the new year.
Plumeri rounds on contingent commissions
Outgoing Willis chief executive Joe Plumeri has criticised a resurgence in the payment of contingent commissions to brokers by insurer partners.
Sandy loss "comfortably" within budget, says Hannover Re
Losses arising from Superstorm Sandy are within Hannover Re's major loss budget for 2012 after the firm estimated a €261m net burden of loss from last October's storm.
AIG files Maiden Lane lawsuit
Insurer AIG has launched a lawsuit against the Maiden Lane vehicle set up by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York to bail out the firm in 2008.
Ex-Aon director joins Kane as US MD
Kane has appointed Carlos Oliveras as managing director of Kane USA.
AIG will not sue US state over bailout
AIG has ruled out backing a claim by shareholder CV Starr that the terms of its state-backed bailout were unfair.
AIG considers joining bailout lawsuit against US government
American International Group, the insurer rescued by the US government in 2008, has come in for stinging criticism after claiming that it is considering joining a lawsuit which states that the bailout conditions were "exorbitant".
Aviva to offload remaining Delta Lloyd stake
Aviva is seeking buyers for its remaining shares in Benelux insurer Delta Lloyd.