Property
Berkshire Hathaway loses 'AAA' rating
Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffett's giant investment vehicle, has had its 'AAA' rating removed by Standard & Poors.
Torus names power and utilities underwriter
Property and casualty insurer Torus has appointed Louis Scott as an underwriter in its power and utilities team.
Experian reveals UK hotspots for man-made perils
Global information services company Experian has revealed Liverpool as the prime location for malicious household and vehicle damage.
Markel reports rise in income for 2009
Property and casualty insurer Markel Corporation has announced a comprehensive income of $591m (£372m) for 2009 up on the $403m comprehensive loss reported for 2008.
Mapfre's earnings fall in 2009
Mapfre, the European (re)insurer, said that earnings for the year fell in 2009.
Barbon earnings up 20% on back of new business
Barbon has reported that its broking business saw annual profits grow by 2% to £42.7m last year, compared to 2008 (£41.9m).
Aviva drops Asda
Aviva has relinquished its role as lead home, motor and travel insurer for Asda. The insurer extended its affinity deal signed in March 2003 with the supermarket until December 2009.
AA insurance boss: deals "drying up"
The AA has reported that car insurance premiums rose more sharply in the last quarter of 2009 than at any other point since the launch of its UK insurance premium index in 1994.
EMC ups guidance
EMC, the US property/casualty insurer, said it is upping its operating earnings guidance for 2009.
Fire - historic buildings: History in the remaking
When a listed or historically important building is caught up in a fire, action taken in the days and hours following are crucial. Stuart Carter warns of the damage caused by delay alone.
Former Layton Blackham boss seeks new director for start up
Julian Mungo tells postonline that acquisitions could also be on the agenda at property specialist Aquilla.
Ace reports strong profits increase
Ace, the Switzerland-based (re)insurer, said that fourth quarter and yearly pretax profits grew.
MMC makes another US purchase
Marsh's US mid-market subsidiary Marsh & McLennan Agency said it has bought US broker Haake Companies for an undisclosed sum.
Obama aims to eliminate terrorism subsidy for insurers
Barack Obama has proposed eliminating insurers' terrorism subsidy in his 2011 Budget.
Environment Agency backs new flood test centre
Simulator aims to recreate the devastating effects of a flood to test products designed to defend homes, businesses and people.
Munich Re's profits jump in 2009
Munich Re has reported that its profits rose to €2.56bn in 2009 from €1.58bn in 2008. The Germany-based reinsurance giant's fourth quarter profit also grew substantially, jumping to €0.78bn from €0.11bn in the fourth quarter of 2008.
Neste Oil to receive EUR 47.5m from reinsurers
Finnish oil refining company Neste Oil has announced that it will receive 47.5m euros from a syndicate of reinsurers following a fire at a refinery in April 2008
Paymentshield to match competitors
Paymentshield has launched a new price match facility on its Best Quote Buildings & Contents Insurance site.
Allianz household range goes live
Allianz Retail’s broker household product range, Allianz Clear, will be launched to over 500 Insurecom software users this month, forming the next stage of the range’s roll-out to Allianz Retail’s broker network.
Insurers given access to escape of water and accidental/malicious damage models
Experian has launched three new Perils models, providing insurance companies with greater insight into a household's level of exposure to escape of water, malicious damage and accidental damage.
Swiss GI premiums up 0.7% in 2009
SIA added it is striving for the "recognition of the equality of supervision between the EU and Switzerland" with regards Solvency II
Chubb launches new broker site
Chubb Insurance has launched its new broker website, Masterpiece24, which allows brokers to quote and bind high net worth cover online.
Bright Star wins contract
Corporate risk broker Brightstar Risk Solutions has been appointed to take on scheme development for the Southern half of the UK on behalf of Fleurets.
Household premiums rise 5.9%
AA Insurance said increase relfected rising cost in repairing buildings and claims frequency.