Willis News

Allianz Is Lead Underwriter for Crashed Germanwings Airbus A320

German insurer Allianz confirmed it was the lead insurance underwriter for the Airbus A320 plane which crashed in the French Alps on Tuesday. All 150 people on board the plane, operated by Lufthansa’s Germanwings budget airline, were feared dead. “We …

Willis Expert: Aviation Industry is Under-Prepared to Deal with Cyber Risks

The aviation industry is behind the curve in terms of its response and readiness to the insidious threat posed by cyber criminality whether from criminals, terrorists, nation states or hackers, according to Peter Armstrong, head of Cyber Strategy for Willis …

Former California Surplus Lines Chair Gibbs Loved Stories, Clients

George N. Gibbs Jr. was a man who was famous in insurance circles for his ability to tell a good story, and those who knew him say he was passionate about protecting the interests of his clients. Gibbs died on …

Willis China Unveils New Leadership Team to Drive Expansion

Willis Group Holdings plc, the global risk adviser, insurance and reinsurance broker, has announced a group of internal promotions and moves to strengthen the Willis China leadership team. Mitchell Ma has been appointed as chairman of Willis China. Ma has …

Paris Terror Attacks Not Unexpected; Demand for Political Risk Cover Is Up

Terrorism, security and political risk experts from Willis provided some broad observations about last week’s terror attacks in Paris and how insurance buyers are responding. “The tragic events in Paris are a continuation of a pattern that has been proliferating …

Space Station Supply Rocket That Exploded Insured for $50 Million

Authorities on Wednesday started investigating what made an unmanned U.S. supply rocket explode in a fireball moments after lifting off from a launch pad in Virginia, destroying supplies and equipment bound for the International Space Station. The 14-story Antares rocket, …

Keegan Joins Beecher Carlson to Head Cyber Liability Practice

Former Willis executive Christopher Keegan is joining Atlanta-based insurance broker Beecher Carlson to head the firm’s cyber liability practice. As part of the executive liability practice, Keegan will be expanding the capabilities of Beecher Carlson in cyber liability and technology …

Stratton Agency Acquires Willis Retail Pizza Program

Stratton Agency, an independent insurance brokerage in San Carlos, Calif., has acquired Willis Insurance Services retail pizza program. This purchase, initiated by the PizzaSurance division, includes hundreds of pizzeria clients in 38 states across the country. PizzaSurance by Stratton Agency …

Complex Situation Occludes Details on Loss of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370

Very few details have been released by the re/insurance industry related to the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, which has caused some minor confusion as to the re/insurers providing coverage for claims. The confusion is primarily the result of the …

Supreme Court Allows Stanford Fraud Suits by Investors; Willis Among Defendants

Victims of R. Allen Stanford’s $7 billion Ponzi scheme can sue outside companies, including insurance broker Willis and law firms, alleged to have played a role in the fraud, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled, dealing a setback to the securities …