Latest Europe Headlines
All the headlines from our Europe Topic Page, ordered by recency.
Best Revises Aviva and Subs Outlook to Positive; Affirms Ratings
Dec 1 2010 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has revised the outlook to positive from stable and affirmed the issuer credit rating (ICR) of “a-” of the UK-Based non-operating holding company, Aviva plc....
European Storm Season Starts, But Forecasts are Difficult, Says Lloyd’s
Dec 1 2010 // The world really gets no respite from global weather events. Just as the hurricane season draws to a close, the European windstorm season, which usually lasts around four months, starts up. In its examination of the onset...
Euro Crisis Worries Spread; U.S. to Send Treasury Envoy
Dec 1 2010 // Global concern about the debt crisis rocking the euro zone mounted on Wednesday, with Washington sending a top U.S. Treasury envoy to Europe and G20 officials discussing the turmoil in a conference call. A day after...
Catastrophes Cost World $222 Billion in 2010: Swiss Re
Nov 30 2010 // According to initial estimates from Swiss Re’s sigma research team, worldwide economic losses from natural catastrophes and man-made disasters totaled $222 billion in 2010; more than triple the 2009 figure of $63...
France, Germany Say Euro Saved; Investors Remain Skeptical
Nov 29 2010 // Germany and France declared on Monday that Europe had taken decisive action to save the euro by rescuing Ireland and laying the foundations of a permanent debt resolution system, but investors were not convinced. Under...
UN Climate Talks Seek to Bridge Rich-Poor Divide
Nov 29 2010 // A new round of U.N. climate talks opens on Monday with almost 200 nations meeting in Mexico in hopes of clinching an agreement on a narrow range of crunch issues dividing rich and emerging economies. The two-week...
Ireland, EU Conclude $113 Billion Bailout
Nov 29 2010 // Negotiators for the Irish government and the European Union put the finishing touches on an €85 billion [$113 billion] bailout for the beleaguered country over the weekend. The agreement follows Ireland’s...
European Union Faces Both a Debt and a Communication Crisis
Nov 24 2010 // The European Union has deployed billions of euros and endless words to try to contain its sovereign debt crisis this year, but poor communication and bad timing have left financial markets unconvinced. The communications...
UK MGAs Gather to Support New Managing General Agents’ Association
Nov 24 2010 // The UK’s insurance industry has spawned numerous professional and trade associations over the years, but, oddly enough, one of the most important sectors, the managing general agents, or MGA’s, who underwrite...
EU to Give Insurance Industry More Time to Prepare for Solvency II
Nov 18 2010 // European Union regulators look set to bow to insurance industry demands for more time to adjust to new solvency rules, with the head of the EU’s insurance watchdog acknowledging that some of the measures would have...
Aon Benfield Warns on Perils of European ‘Uncommon’ Storm Tracks
Nov 17 2010 // Aon Benfield has issued a briefing on uncommon European winter storm tracks in conjunction with the University of Cologne. The research points to a lower total number of events in the future, but “indicates intense...
Ireland’s Re/Insurers Not Seriously Affected by Financial Crisis
Nov 17 2010 // Even though Ireland’s financial crisis continues to make headlines, it’s not by any means a national meltdown, and it doesn’t appear to pose a threat to any of the re/insurance companies and brokers, who...
Countries Finalize Anti-counterfeit Trade Pact Text
Nov 16 2010 // Negotiators from nearly 40 countries have finalized the text of an international agreement to help fight the growing trade in fake and pirated goods, the European Commission and the United States said on Monday. The...
RMS Appoints Weinthrop VP for Client Development in Europe
Nov 16 2010 // Risk Management Solutions announced the appointment of Martin Weinthrop to the position of vice president of client development, Europe, effective immediately. He will be based in London, and will lead the regional sales...
Lloyd’s New Director of North America, McGovern, Navigates Turbulent Waters
Nov 14 2010 // Addressing Changes in EU and U.S. Regulations; North American Lloyd’s Reorganization Sean McGovern, Lloyd’s general counsel and, since February 2010, the director of Lloyd’s North America, may still have...
EU Safety Regulator Orders A380 Engine Inspection
Nov 11 2010 // Europe’s aviation regulator said fire from an oil leak was the likely cause of last week’s engine failure of a Qantas A380 plane and ordered stringent inspections on super jumbos using Rolls-Royce...
World War I Remembered; Could it Have Been Different?
Nov 11 2010 // Armistice Day/Veteran’s Day – the “war to end war;” the dead, the wounded and the missing. Almost faded from memory now – 92 years after it ended – the “Great War,” World War...
ING Plans Europe, U.S. Insurance IPOs
Nov 10 2010 // Dutch bancassurance group ING said on Wednesday it planned two initial public offerings, rather than one, for its insurance activities as part of a mandatory split-up imposed because of its state bailout. Chief executive...
Best Affirms Hiscox Operating Companies ‘A’ Ratings; Outlook Stable
Nov 10 2010 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating (ICR) of “a” of Hiscox Insurance Company (Bermuda)...
Best Affirms Generali’s ‘A+’ Ratings; Outlook Stable
Nov 9 2010 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A+’ (Superior) and issuer credit rating of “aa-” of Italy’s Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A., both...
