France
Taiwan's insurers urged to stop lending securities for shorts
Taiwan’s regulators have urged insurers to stop lending securities to short sellers seeking to bolster equities after the Taiex Index slumped.
Axa, MMA and Allianz linked with Groupama swoop
Axa, MMA's parent Covea and Allianz have been tipped to buy Groupama arm GAN, according to reports.
Spanish and French SMEs rank lowest in their understanding of insurance
Spanish and French SME’s rank the lowest when it comes understanding their insurance options, according to a recent study by Hiscox.
Marine - Post-IUMI: High seas scrutiny
The recent International Union of Marine Insurance conference underlined the escalating piracy problem and tasked underwriters with delivering a cargo-specific solution.
France and Italy assess flood damage
Torrential rains have caused widespread flooding in France and Italy during the first week of November after a low pressure system that developed over the Mediterranean Sea moved northwards, bringing high levels of precipitation.
European floods defy categorisation
Catastrophe modelling firm AIR Worldwide has said the storm that caused flooding in France and Italy earlier this month has led to 36 municipalities in France categorising it as a natural disaster.
Groupama mulls possible sales option
Groupama is believed to be investigating the option of selling a stake in the company or assets to outside investors in an attempt to strengthen its capital and restore its solvency margin.
Strong US ties help rate Axa's entities as 'AA-'
Axa has had all its entities' insurer financial strength ratings affirmed at 'AA-' by Fitch Ratings.
Groupama CEO Azéma sacked after Fitch and S&P action
A senior rating analyst has played down fears a raft of major European insurers could be on the end of downgrades in the wake of the European Union debt crisis.
Greek debt exchange won't lead to insurance downgrades, says Fitch
Leading insurers across Europe have been told that manageable exposure to Greek government bonds will mean they will not be downgraded if they accept the EU's offer of a 50% haircut in return for new debt, according to Fitch Rating.
Editor's comment: Maelstroms on multiple fronts
This week has seen maelstroms on multiple fronts. As the devastation and mass fatalities caused by the Turkish earthquake continue to dominate news headlines, the insurance industry is bracing itself for a different bout of turmoil prompted by another…
France and Japan largest purchasers of cat reinsurance
France and Japan are the largest purchasers of excess of loss per event treaties according to a new report by Aon Benfield.
Insurance Insight weekly update live - 21 October
Insurance Insight’s weekly update is live with an article on how brokers need to be up to date on the cyber risks their customers are facing; and a feature of how Lloyd’s of London has spread its each across Europe.
Cyber risks in the modern business
Technology is evolving every day and as Iain Ainslie explains if brokers want to offer their customer the best cover possibly they need to be aware of all risks and the specialist policies available to help them.
Lloyd’s in Europe
Lloyd’s of London is no longer only accessed through London and has spread its reach across the globe in recent times. Francesca Nyman asks how established it is in Europe and what challenges it faces here.
Towers Watson appoints senior broker for continental Europe
Towers Watson has appointed Nicolas Moinier as a senior broker in its reinsurance business with the aim of strengthening its presence in the European reinsurance brokerage market.
French broker joins Brokers Link
Filhet Allard has become a member of independent insurance broker network Brokers Link.
French broker joins Brokers Link
Filhet Allard has become a member of independent insurance broker network Brokers Link.
Claims event: ABI urges ‘shared responsibility’ for flood cover
Homeowners living in high flood risk areas could potentially see their insurance part-covered by government subsidies after the Statement of Principles agreement expires.
Average strength of companies deteriorates in Europe
Trade credit insurer Coface has reduced its 2011 forecasts for much of Europe following a deterioration of the average strength of companies.
Coface downgrades forecasts
Trade credit insurer Coface has downgraded its forecasts for the US and much of Europe claiming financial market volatility “has spread to the real economy”.
European fleet insurance market worth €18bn by 2015
The European market for fleet motor insurance is expected to be worth more than €18bn by 2015, according to Finaccord.
Insurance Insight weekly update live
Insurance Insight’s weekly update is live with an article on how European insurers will be affected by US Asbestos, Pollution and Health Liabilities when Solvency II is implemented; and a guest blog on brokers putting business out to auction.
Guest blog: Offer to sell?
I recently had an interesting debate with a seasoned insurance practitioner, the chief executive officer of an insurance company in the Middle East and Africa region.