Latest Asia Headlines

All the headlines from our Asia Topic Page, ordered by recency.

Tokio Marine Joins Singapore Insurtech Program

Aug 19 2019 // Japanese property/casualty insurer Tokio Marine Holdings announced a partnership with Plug and Play’s Insurtech program in Singapore. With this new partnership in Singapore, Tokio Marine will now have access to Plug...

Prudential to Complete Split of Insurance, Asset Fund by Year’s End

Aug 14 2019 // Britain’s biggest insurer Prudential will complete a planned break-up of the company by the end of the year, with its UK-focused fund and insurance business set to list as M&G Plc. The Asia and U.S.-focused rump...

BHSI Enhances Executive First D&O Liability Insurance in Asia

Aug 13 2019 // Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) announced that it has enhanced its Asia Executive FirstDirectors & Officers (D&O) Liability Insurance to include a provision that reinstates policy limits exhausted by...

Hurricane Barry Cost Economy $600M, Insurers $300M: Aon Catastrophe Report

Aug 9 2019 // Total economic losses, largely flood-driven, were expected to exceed US$600 million, while public and private insurers paid out nearly US$300 million, said Aon in its latest edition of its monthly Global Catastrophe Recap...

UK’s Aviva Reports 1% Rise in 1st Half Operating Profit, Reviews Asia Business

Aug 8 2019 // Britain’s second largest insurer Aviva reported a forecast-beating 1% rise in first-half operating profit on Thursday, helped by a strong performance in its general business and announced a review of its Asian...

Aviva Weighs Options for Asian Business Including Possible Sale

Aug 2 2019 // Aviva Plc is considering options for its Asian business including a possible divestment of the unit as its new chief executive officer seeks to overhaul the British insurer, people familiar with the matter said. The Asian...

Chubb Promotes Ortega to President, Overseas, as Andrade Moves to Top Everest Role

Aug 1 2019 // Chubb Ltd. has appointed Juan Luis Ortega as executive vice president, Chubb Group, and president, Overseas General Insurance. He succeeds Juan Andrade, who is leaving Chubb to take the role of president and chief...

Swiss Re-Backed Insurer FWD Eyes China Expansion Ahead of Potential IPO

Jul 31 2019 // Fast-growing insurer FWD is seeking to launch operations in China ahead of any public offering and plans to bolster its non-life business in Asia, its chief executive said, as a potential shake-up looms in the...

Chubb Names Kopp Head of A&H for APAC, Nisbet Appointed Thailand Country President

Jul 30 2019 // Chubb announced two leadership appointments for the company’s Asia Pacific business, which are effective from Oct. 1, 2019. Edward Kopp, currently country president of Chubb’s general insurance business in...

Brokerslink Bolsters Presence in Asia with Addition of 3 New Affiliates

Jul 8 2019 // Global broking business Brokerslink has bolstered its presence in Asia with the addition of three new affiliates in the region. South Korean LK Insurance Services, Malaysia-based State Insurance Services and John Foord in...

Asia Market Drives Global Insurance Premiums Past $5 Trillion in 2018: Swiss Re

Jul 8 2019 // Carriers’ expansion in Asia helped push global insurance premiums past the $5 trillion mark for the first time in 2018, Swiss Re said in its latest sigma report. That growth came generally from property/casualty...

Higginbotham Named Swiss Re’s CEO Reinsurance Asia, Replacing Plunkett

Jun 27 2019 // Swiss Re announced that Russell Higginbotham has been appointed CEO Reinsurance Asia and regional president, effective July 8, 2019, and subject to necessary regulatory approvals. He is succeeding Jayne Plunkett, who has...

Tokio Marine Looking for Insurance Acquisitions in Asia, Other Markets

Jun 25 2019 // Tokio Marine Holdings Inc. is seeking acquisition opportunities in Asian emerging markets and elsewhere as it seeks to double profits from those regions, according to the new chief of Japan’s largest...

AXIS Re Hires Hands from CNA Hardy as Head of Australia

Jun 24 2019 // AXIS Re, the reinsurance business segment of AXIS Capital Holdings Ltd. announced the expansion of AXIS Re Strategic Partners with the hiring of Robert Hands as a strategic account executive and head of Australia. In this...

Oil Shippers Continue Sailing Through Strait of Hormuz – with Heightened Security

Jun 21 2019 // A series of attacks on oil tankers near the Persian Gulf has ratcheted up tensions between the U.S. and Iran – and raised fears over the safety of one of Asia’s most vital energy trade routes, where about a fifth...

Cold War Era Satellite Images Reveal Acceleration of Asian Glacier Melt

Jun 20 2019 // Himalayan glacier melt has doubled over the last 40 years, according to new research made possible by declassified cold war era satellite imagery. The 650 glaciers under study in parts of China, India, Bhutan and Nepal...

Motorbike Taxi Firms to Offer E-payment, Insurance Services in West Africa

Jun 12 2019 // Motorcycle taxi companies are expanding in West Africa with backing from investors betting that the meteoric rise of two-wheeled taxi firms in Asia can be replicated in some of the fastest growing countries in the...

WTW Taps Nat Re’s Hidalgo as Head of Capital Science and Policy in Southeast Asia

Jun 6 2019 // Willis Towers Watson announced the appointment of Augusto Hidalgo as head of Capital, Science and Policy (CSP) in Southeast Asia. Based in Manila, Philippines, Hidalgo brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise...

Thailand Intensifies Efforts to Stop ‘Pig Ebola’ from Crossing Border

May 20 2019 // Thailand, one of Asia’s top pork producers, is intensifying efforts to hold off a lethal pig virus that’s causing havoc as it spreads across the region. African swine fever — a disease that kills nearly...

Oil, Gas Shippers Brace for Rise in Insurance Premiums After Saudi Ship Attacks

May 16 2019 // Asian shippers and refiners have put ships heading to the Middle East on alert and are expecting a possible rise in marine insurance premiums after recent attacks on Saudi oil tankers and pipeline facilities, industry...