Latest Europe Headlines

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

Sources Say Iran Charters Oil Tanker with Indian Insurance

Jan 15 2013 // A loophole in an Indian insurance scheme has allowed Iran’s state-run tanker company NITC to bolster oil exports by chartering a vessel insured by India’s state-run firms, industry and shipping sources said on...

Zurich’s European Survey Confirms Insurance Isn’t a Luxury in Economic Crisis

Jan 15 2013 // A survey conducted by GfK on behalf of Zurich Insurance Group analyzed how the people in seven different European countries are dealing with their insurance needs in the light of the ongoing economic crisis. Insurance...

U.S. to Open Trade Talks on Global Insurance, Financial Services

Jan 15 2013 // The U.S. Trade Representative’s office is expected to notify Congress soon of its plan to enter into talks with the European Union and more than a dozen other countries on a pact to tear down barriers to trade in...

Is the WTO About to Abandon Dream of Global Free Trade?

Jan 14 2013 // As it seeks a new chief to lead it out of a negotiating death-spiral, the World Trade Organization looks doomed to be fatally undermined by new global carve-ups that will leave many of the world’s poorest...

New Generali Boss Promises ‘Revolution’ at Italian Insurer

Jan 14 2013 // Mario Greco, the new boss of Europe’s 3rd largest insurance group, Italy’s Generali, has vowed to boost operating profit by a quarter via an ambitious turnaround strategy that focuses on “value over...

Governments Struggle with Financial Crisis as the Planet Warms up

Jan 11 2013 // The global economy has been through economic recessions before, and has eventually recovered from them. This time around, however, it must do so while coping with the ever increasing menace of climate change – that makes...

Calnan Joins Ironshore Europe to Lead International Offshore Energy Expansion

Jan 11 2013 // Bermuda-based Ironshore Europe Ltd. (IEL) announced that Paul Calnan has been named Senior Vice President Global Offshore Energy, responsible for expanding the Global offshore energy business throughout Ironshore...

Best Affirms Amlin AG, Amlin plc, Lloyd’s Syndicate 2001 Ratings; Outlook Stable

Jan 11 2013 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A+’ (Superior) and issuer credit rating (ICR) of “aa-” of Lloyd’s Syndicate 2001, which is...

FERMA Appoints Bedhouche as Full Time European Affairs Adviser

Jan 10 2013 // The Federation of European Risk Management Associations (FERMA) has appointed Julien Bedhouche as its first full time European affairs adviser. He is a French national with a masters degree in European law from Rennes...

Multilateralism in Trade is ‘Dead’ Says French Industry Minister

Jan 10 2013 // Multilateral trade deals are “dead”, France’s industry minister said on Tuesday, professing a preference for bilateral accords as the 27-nation European Union and the United States prepare to begin talks...

Events that Topped World Insurance News in 2012

Dec 28 2012 // While 2012 wasn’t as tumultuous as 2011, it had its share of insurance shaking trends and events. Here in roughly chronological order are some of them: 1) The costs of the flooding in Thailand in 2011, wasn’t...

Any Prospects for Insurance Regulatory Changes in 2013?

Dec 26 2012 // Progress in making insurance regulatory changes has been slow, and there’s really nothing to indicate that the situation will change in the near future. The United States, however, has managed to make some relevant...

Ratings Recap: Echelon, Nationale Suisse, MAPFRE Global Risks/Empresas

Dec 21 2012 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘B++’ (Good) and issuer credit rating (ICR) of “bbb+” of Echelon General Insurance Company, as well as the ICR of “bb+” of...

Ratings: Aviva (Subs), Flagstone Re Africa, Arig, Salama, Bahrain Nat’l., BEST RE

Dec 20 2012 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a+” of several European insurance subsidiaries of...

Ratings Recap: Jordan Plc, Builders Re S.A., Sava Re, Allianz (Notes)

Dec 17 2012 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘B++’ (Good) and the issuer credit rating of “bbb+” of Jordan Insurance Company Plc (JIC), both with stable...

Best Upgrades W.R. Berkley Insurance (Europe) ICR Rating; Affirms ‘A’ FSR

Dec 17 2012 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Ltd. has upgraded the issuer credit rating (ICR) to “a+” from “a” and affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A’ (Excellent) of UK-based W.R....

Prospects for Insurance Regulation in 2013

Dec 17 2012 // Progress in making insurance regulatory changes has been slow, and there’s nothing to indicate that this situation will change in the future. The United States has, however, made relevant changes. Although it has 50...

Best Upgrades Issuer Credit Rating of Hiscox Group Subsidiaries; Affirms FSR

Dec 14 2012 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A’ (Excellent) and upgraded the issuer credit rating (ICR) to “a+” from “a” of Hiscox...

London ‘City’ Scents Victory in EU Banking Union Deal

Dec 14 2012 // London’s financial center heaved a sigh of relief on Thursday after a landmark deal on Europe’s incipient banking union removed an immediate threat to ‘the City’s’ global position. The text...

Ratings Recap: Transsib Re, First General, Arab Re, TUCI

Dec 13 2012 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘B’ (Fair) and issuer credit rating of “bb+” of Russia’s OJSC Transsiberian Reinsurance Corporation...