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International

AIG back on profit track

27 February 2012

Giant US insurance group AIG has beaten analysts’ expectations in lodging fourth-quarter operating income of $US1.558 billion ($1.45 billion)…

Allianz slips on Greece and weather events

27 February 2012

Global insurer Allianz missed market expectations for full-year net income as exposure to Greek debt and natural catastrophes wreaked havoc on its bottom line…

Willis defends U-turn on commissions

27 February 2012

Willis Chairman and CEO Joe Plumeri has defended plans to reinstate contingency commissions in the US after years of crusading against the controversial payments…

Tough market in China for motor insurance

27 February 2012

The opening to foreign insurers of China’s third-party motor market is likely to put pressure on Chinese companies and force premiums down, according to a report by ratings agency Moody’s…

Moody’s cuts outlook on Japan’s Big Three

27 February 2012

Moody’s has cut the long-term ratings outlook on Japan’s three largest insurers due to the severity of catastrophe losses last year and their exposure to the country’s moribund auto industry…

Japan quake causes risk re-think

27 February 2012

The earthquake and tsunami which hit the Tohoku region of Japan last March has “changed conventional wisdom” about the probability of devastating earthquakes affecting some areas of the country…

Marsh & McLennan revenues top $3 billion

20 February 2012

Diversified insurance group Marsh & McLennan has met market expectations with revenues of $US2.9 billion ($2.68 billion) in the fourth quarter…

Zurich slides in fourth quarter

20 February 2012

Zurich has posted a steep fall in fourth-quarter net income but still grew year-on-year after a tough 12 months of natural catastrophes and staid investments…

Willis profits halve in 2011

20 February 2012

Global insurance broker Willis Group has reported a 52% fall in net profit for 2011, fuelling market speculation that its legendary CEO Joe Plumeri will retire next year when he turns 70…

BI premiums fall on continuity plans

20 February 2012

Companies with continuity plans usually enjoy better terms on their business interruption policies, according to research by the UK’s insurance broking body…

Reform to combat UK whiplash epidemic

20 February 2012

Soaring car insurance premiums in the UK will be tamed through new measures to prevent false claims, according to Prime Minister David Cameron…

Zurich gets a name change

20 February 2012

Global insurer Zurich has proposed a modest name change to reflect its core business…

Arch falls on catastrophe losses

20 February 2012

Bermuda-based reinsurer Arch Capital has reported a 40% fall in fourth-quarter earnings, taking hits from the Thai floods and Melbourne’s Christmas Day hailstorm…

D&O insurance remains competitive

20 February 2012

The general casualty and directors’ and officers’ segments remain competitive in the Asia-Pacific region as local, regional and global players fight it out for market share…