Europe News

Milliman Report on Europe, Japan, Asia Insurers Sees Increased Embedded Value

Global consulting and actuarial firm Milliman, Inc. has announced the availability of two new reports detailing embedded value (EV) results for 32 major insurance companies in Europe and Japan and 14 major insurance companies operating in Asia. The reports examine …

Zurich Joins CityMobil2 to Test Automated Self-driving Buses in Europe

Zurich Insurance Group announced that it has been selected as the insurance associate to CityMobil2, an EU-funded research project that is staging tests of automated road transport systems with self-driving buses across Europe. The announcement explained that the “project is …

RSA Appoints Gray as Marine Sales & Broker Manager, London Market, Europe

RSA, one of the largest UK marine insurers, has appointed Calvin Gray to the newly created role of marine sales and broker manager, London market and Europe. Reporting to Richard Turner, marine director, Gray will be responsible for driving sales …

European Insurers’ Dividend Growth Unlikely With Rock-Bottom Interest Rates

Expectations of rising dividends and share buybacks from Europe’s insurance companies are fading as ultra low interest rates make it harder for them to meet new capital regulations. Rock-bottom interest rates reduce insurers’ investment returns, raising the risk of them …

MAPFRE Details Future Plans – U.S. Expansion, Increased Operating Revenue

Spanish insurance group MAPFRE’s Chairman and CEO, Antonio Huertas, referred to the strategic objectives for the next three years, as he announced the highlights at its Annual General Meeting. The group forecast operating revenues by 2016 at €30 million [$41 …

Willis International Announces European Leadership Appointments

Willis Group Holdings has announced a series of senior leadership appointments in its Willis International business unit, “focusing on its UK and wider European operations.” Willis also explained that the new appointments “complete a reorganization process which began a year …

FERMA Opposes EU Fund for Industrial Accident Environmental Liabilities, Losses

The Federation of European Risk Management Associations [FERMA), which represents risk managers in 20 European countries, has told the European Commission that it is opposed to the creation of a fund to cover environmental liability and losses resulting from industrial …

Swiss Re to Invest $500 Million in Europe Infrastructure Debt through Macquarie

Swiss Re announced that it will engage in long-term financing of infrastructure businesses and assets, and has committed an initial US$500 million for investments in senior secured debt of infrastructure businesses and assets located primarily in northern Europe. “Institutional investment …

World Economic Climate Continues to Decline: ICC/Ifo Survey

The health of the world’s economy continues to deteriorate as insufficient demand, unemployment and the on-going debt crisis in Europe undermine recovery efforts, according to the latest findings from the ICC-Ifo World Economic Survey (WES). The ICC said that “based …

Best Revises ICR Outlook to Negative for QBE Group and Subs; Affirms Ratings

A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A’ (Excellent) and the issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a+” of UK-based QBE Insurance (Europe) Limited, QBE Re (Europe) Limited, and Australia-based QBE Insurance (International) …