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International

Subprime separates best from rest in risk

11 December 2007

The US subprime crisis has exposed deficiencies in risk management among financial institutions globally, according to a report by consultants TowerGroup…

US rates continue to flounder

11 December 2007

The soft US property and casualty insurance market shows no sign of turning, with rates down an average of 15% last month…

MMC in rating downgrade

11 December 2007

Standard & Poor’s has lowered its counterparty credit rating on Marsh & McLennan (MMC) to BBB- from BBB, which it attributes to the poor performance of broking…

Mixed fortunes for US reinsurers

11 December 2007

The US reinsurance sector’s combined ratio improved to 94.1% from 95.4% for the first nine months of the year, according to the Reinsurance Association of America’s latest…

US commercial market going strong

04 December 2007

US commercial property/casualty insurers appear to be in rude health despite soft market conditions, says a report by Standard & Poor’s…

AIG in subprime horror show

27 November 2007

Giant insurer AIG is facing the subprime blowtorch as it deals with a shareholder lawsuit, the possibility of further writedowns and the disaffection of influential…

Hurricane risk remains high

27 November 2007

US residents face an elevated threat of hurricanes making landfall over the next five years, according to weather forecaster Risk Management Solutions…

Hike in P&I club claims force up premiums

27 November 2007

A surge in costly protection and indemnity pool claims is increasing shipowners’ premiums, with P&I clubs initiating increases of 10% to 20% at renewal…

Soft market here to stay: consultant

20 November 2007

The market for property and casualty insurance will stay soft next year, with premiums expected to decline further or at least remain flat…

Zurich income up 25%

20 November 2007

Zurich has reported a 25% increase in net income to $US4.2 billion ($4.7 billion) for the nine months to September 30, compared with the first three quarters of last year…

Swiss Re decked by subprime loss

20 November 2007

The subprime mortgage meltdown in the US has claimed its first reinsurance victim, with Swiss Re announcing a startling CHF1.2 billion ($1.22 billion) write-down from exposure…

Over the Limit in QBE Euro restructure

13 November 2007

QBE European Operations will replace a swag of well-known brands with QBE livery in the new year when it launches a new product and distribution structure…

Marsh back in the commission game

13 November 2007

No 1 global broker Marsh will begin charging US insurers an "enhanced" commission for small and middle-market commercial business from early next year…