Articles by Maria Sheahan and Carolyn Cohn

Update: Zurich Reports 25% Increase in H1 Operating Profit, Beating Expectations

Zurich Insurance Group reported a better-than-expected 25% rise in operating profit in the first half on strong performance across the board and announced a bumper 1.8 billion Swiss francs ($1.91 billion) share buyback on Thursday, sending its shares higher. Europe’s …

UK Insurer Aviva Posts 14% Rise in H1 Operating Profit

Aviva plans to return more cash to shareholders, the British insurer said as it posted a better-than-expected 14% rise in first-half operating profit, sending its shares to the top of the FTSE 100 gainers on Wednesday. Activist investor Cevian Capital, …

Admiral Sees Cost of Motor Claims Running High in Britain and U.S.

The cost of paying auto claims is running particularly high in Britain and the United States, insurer Admiral’s chief said on Wednesday, after the company posted a 48% fall in pretax profit due to a “more turbulent cycle.” Motor insurers …

London Insurance Sector Readies $50M Ukraine Grain Cargo Cover

The London insurance sector is preparing to cover Ukrainian grains and fertilizer shipments through a secure corridor, voyages that may need up to $50 million of insurance cover per cargo, industry sources involved said on Wednesday. London’s marine insurance market …

Lloyd’s Insurer Hiscox to Provide Insurance for Ukraine Grain Shipments

Hiscox is committed to a planned insurance consortium providing cover for ships traveling through a safe passage from Ukraine, its chief executive said on Wednesday, as the Lloyd’s of London insurer shares plunged on a first-half loss. The first grain-carrying …

UK Motor Insurer Direct Line to Raise Premiums After H1 Profit Hit

British motor insurer Direct Line is raising premiums after higher claims hit its first-half profits, as the company feels the effects of soaring prices for everything from used cars to spare parts. Chief Executive Penny James said on Tuesday the …

Lloyd’s of London’s Ascot, Marsh Provide Insurance for Ukraine Sea Corridor

Lloyd’s of London insurer Ascot and broker Marsh on Friday launched marine cargo and war insurance for grain and food products moving from Ukrainian Black Sea ports, removing a hurdle to getting shipments underway. Russia and Ukraine signed a deal …

Lloyd’s Insurers Preparing to Cover Ukraine Grain

Lloyd’s of London insurers and brokers are preparing to provide cover for grain shipments from Ukraine and are likely to announce their plans shortly, the commercial insurance market’s chairman said on Wednesday. Russia and Ukraine signed a deal on Friday, …

Return of Coal as Alternative to Russian Gas Threatens European Firms’ ESG Ratings

European companies turning to coal as an alternative to Russian gas face a hit to their environmental, social and governance ratings, leaving them scrambling to impress investors still vocal on sustainability. Despite an energy crisis following sanctions on Russia, major …

UK Pubs Group Sues Zurich, Liberty Mutual, MS Amlin for $1.2B Over COVID BI Losses

Britain’s biggest pubs group Stonegate, which is suing Zurich Insurance and two peers for 1 billion pounds ($1.2 billion) over lockdown losses, battled the COVID-19 pandemic “day by day, venue by venue,” a London trial heard on Monday. Ben Lynch, …