European Union (EU)
MEPs on the front foot as Prudential sparks fear of mass insurer exodus
Solvency II concerns in the spotlight after UK giant linked with Hong Kong move
Telematics: Aggregators - the future of motor insurance
As young drivers are priced out of the market, could the emergence of telematics bring an end to the dominance of the traditional big four aggregators, as others seek to take a share of the market?
Japan's P&I club cuts cover for ships in Iran
Japan's P&I Club has confirmed it will only be able to provide a fraction of insurance coverage to tankers that transport Iranian oil under the new European Union sanctions.
European Council introduces rule to limit short selling in crisis situations
The European Council has adopted a regulation designed to restrict short selling and certain aspects of credit default swaps in situations where there is a threat to financial stability.
The temporal scope of Rome II
Rome II was intended to bring about uniform choice of law rules but had left some uncertainty over when the regulation applied in cross border accidents. Tarek Uddin explains how the recent case of Homawoo has helped bring clarity.
In Series On Data: Bringing credit to the nation
Credit data is relied on to help decide if customers can repay monthly instalments but, as competition heats up, will insurers consider its use in APR calculations to give them an edge?
Argo Group launches first insurance SE in Malta
Argo Group International Holdings has formed a new insurance company in Malta - Argo Global SE – the first insurance Societas Europeas (SE) established in the country.
Bernardino urges EC to agree Solvency II timeline
The chairman of the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority has again expressed concern about the impact of Solvency II delays.
Greece not a worry for European insurers, says Eiopa
The chairman of the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority expects little further impact on the insurers from their holdings of Greek sovereign bonds.
Liability - Cosmetic treatments: Smoothing out the wrinkles
With a rise in cosmetic treatments, there is more scope for problems, as the recent PIP implants scandal has shown - whether it is clinical negligence or a product defect, insurers must be wary.
In series - On data: An era of androgyny
With gender set to disappear from the underwriting landscape at the end of 2012, what factors will insurers turn to when accessing risk?
Impact of the French national commitment towards the environment
As changes to environmental laws begin to impact in France Gregory Allard explains how brokers and insurers must continue to innovate to ensure adequate protection is readily available.
Q&A John Schembri
The risk management association of Malta was the second new organisation to be admitted to the Federation of European Risk Management Associations last year. Marm president John Schembri spoke to Francesca Nyman about joining Ferma, Malta’s changing…
ING to sell Asian insurance business separately
ING Groep NV has dropped plans to create an Asian-European insurer and is considering selling its Asian business separately as European markets have worsened.
European insurers welcome guidelines on ECJ gender ruling
The European Commission’s publication of guidelines on applying the March gender ruling by the European Court of Justice has been welcomed by Europe’s insurers, according to the European insurance and reinsurance federation.
Practical guidance can reduce risk managers' attention from regulators, says Ferma
Practical guidance on implementing European company law requirements on risk management, internal control and internal audit can help reduce regulatory attention, according to the Federation of European Risk Management Associations and European…
Global reinsurance capital declined by 4% in the first nine months
Global reinsurer capital declined 4% from $470bn at 31 December 2010, to $450bn at 30 September 2011, according to an Aon Benfield report.
Claims club: Claims teams must gear up to provide Solvency II documentation and evidence
Claims handlers are not exempt from the Solvency II requirements, according to Lloyd’s boss Luke Savage. The finance, risk management and operations director warned attendees that claims teams would have to ensure their documentation, technical provision…
Eiopa president calls for 'paradigm shift' in consumer protection
Eiopa president Gabriel Bernardino called for a “paradigm shift” to restore confidence in Europe’s financial services sector at the regulator’s first consumer strategy day.
Japan to set up Asian nat cat insurance plan
Japan is planning to establish a large-scale insurance system encompassing the Asia-Pacific region to cover developing countries hit by devastating earthquakes, typhoons and other disasters.
Harmonising insurance guarantee schemes across Europe
Harmonisation of insurance guarantee schemes is a topic that has been debated for some time but European Commissions direction on it due next year Sam Barrett looks at how this could work in practice.
EU and FEMA agree on risk reduction and disaster response
The European Union and the US Federal Emergency Management Agency have signed an agreement to cooperate on disaster management and emergency response.
EU & US conduct tests for cyber attacks in 'Cyber Atlantic 2011'
The first test of trans-Atlantic responses to cyber incidents, including cyber attacks, has taken place in Brussels.
Reaction to proposed ELD extension
The CEA claims the proposed extension to the Environmental Liability Directive will be damaging for European insurers. Francesca Nyman asks the market for its initial reaction to the proposal.