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Reactions from the global insurance market

News analysis, features and opinion

  • Economic uncertainty strengthens fac offering

    08 March 2010

    Fac players are bullish about their business offering in the uncertain economic climate. But with fierce competition among brokers and softening rates there the picture is not as rosy as it may seem.

  • More premiums to stay in Asia: John Tan

    05 March 2010

    Asia’s reinsurance markets have weathered the global economic turmoil and a greater share of premiums is set to stay in the region, says the CEO of Asia Capital Reinsurance Group.

  • AIG's AIA sale has big integration risks for Pru

    01 March 2010

    The deal is the largest insurance acquisition ever and will make Prudential south-east Asia's largest insurer.

  • AIG’s $9bn Q4 loss not as bad as it seems

    26 February 2010

    US insurer American International Group (AIG) has reported a fourth-quarter loss of $8.9bn and warned that it may need more support from the US government.

  • The future for contingent commissions

    22 February 2010

    With Aon, Marsh and Willis now able to accept contingent commissions again, the market is abuzz with questions about which of them will accept the controversial payments, how much business this could bring and what buyers’ reaction will be.

  • Interview: Pat Ryan on hopes for new firm

    23 February 2010

    Reactions speaks to brokerage veteran Pat Ryan, who built Aon into a global powerhouse, about his plans for new firm Ryan Specialty Group.

  • The February 2010 issue of Reactions

    18 February 2010

    The February 2010 issue of Reactions is now online. Click through to read a selection of articles from the issue.

  • Swiss Re signals confidence to repay Buffett

    18 February 2010

    Swiss Re has raised its dividend for 2009, in a sign that the world’s second-largest reinsurer is now in a position to repay a expensive convertible loan from Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway.

  • MMC, Aon could receive $200m in contingents

    17 February 2010

    The Spitzer-era ban on contingent commissions for the world’s biggest insurance brokers, Aon, Marsh and Willis, has been lifted. An equity analyst believes Aon and Marsh could now receive as much as $200m a year in contingent commissions.

  • Interview: PartnerRe ready to punch its weight

    16 February 2010

    PartnerRe's acquisition of Paris Re, along with involvement in initiatives such as the Global Reinsurance Forum trade group, confirms Patrick Thiele's position as one of the most influential reinsurance executives around.

  • ANALYSIS: Lloyd's looks to alter product mix

    16 February 2010

    Lloyd’s of London’s decision to broaden its product range as part of its strategic plan will not harm the market’s position in its core lines, Sean McGovern, Lloyd’s general council, has told Reactions.

  • Convergence Quarterly: ILS outlook for 2010

    12 February 2010

    Fresh off the back of the busiest ever fourth quarter for cat bonds, insurance-linked securities activity is predicted to be high in 2010. Reactions' Convergence Quarterly section includes all the cat bond data from 2009.

  • Insurance issues from Toyota recall likely small: Hartwig

    12 February 2010

    Japan car maker Toyota’s embarrassing recall of many of its cars because of braking problems will cause headaches for people who have bought its cars, but is unlikely to cause a big problem for insurers.

  • LINE FOCUS: D&O insurers wary of claims pipeline

    11 February 2010

    The soft market for US directors’ and officers’ liability (D&O) insurance continues as competition and surplus business puts pressure on rates.

Latest News by Sector

North America

  • AIG’s Nan Shan outcome expected Thursday

    10 March 2010

    American International Group could find out about the fate of its Taiwan unit, Nan Shan, as early as Thursday, when the Taiwanese parliament will review a report from the top financial regulator, Reuters has reported.

Casualty/liability

  • Interview: Cash confident of Endurance growth

    09 March 2010

    Endurance's new CEO will be looking to continue the work done under eight years of Ken LeStrange's leadership but won't be afraid to make big changes if necessary, he tells Reactions in an exclusive interview.

Bermuda

  • ABIR raises opposition to homeowners bill

    09 March 2010

    The Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers today filed its opposition to a house bill which would replace private sector risk bearing capital with government reinsurance and government guarantees of state debt.

Property-catastrophe

  • Moody’s comments on Xynthia’s France impact

    10 March 2010

    Windstorm Xynthia, which caused serious damage in Western Europe at the end of February, will present a substantial, though manageable, cost for the French insurance industry according to Moody's Investors Service.

Europe

Financial management

Lloyd's and London Market

Legal and regulation

  • ABIR raises opposition to homeowners bill

    09 March 2010

    The Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers today filed its opposition to a house bill which would replace private sector risk bearing capital with government reinsurance and government guarantees of state debt.

Poll

Do you believe efforts to set up a New York Insurance Exchange by the state's insurance department will succeed?

Yes, and it is a good idea
33%
Yes, but it is a bad idea
3%
No, but it is a good idea
43%
No, and it is a bad idea
17%
Not sure
3%