Bermuda News

Best Affirms Tower Group’s ‘A-‘ Ratings

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a-” of the New York-based Tower Group Companies and its pooled and reinsured members. Best also affirmed the FSR of ‘A-‘ …

Piracy Insurance Premiums Take a Breather

Stiff competition and moves by owners to protect ships better has taken the edge out of insurance costs after pirate attacks off Africa’s east coast created a two-year boom for specialist cover. But analysts say the menace of piracy is …

Ratings Roundup: Victoire, Merna Re II, Utica Mutual

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘B++’ (Good) and issuer credit rating of “bbb” of VICTORE Insurance Company (VIC) of Oklahoma City, both with stable outlooks. The ratings reflect VICTORE’s current “modest underwriting leverage, sound balance …

Irish Financial Woes Dominate Discussion, Country’s #2 Insurer Taken Over

The European Insurance Forum, held in Dublin Monday and Tuesday, was dominated by the fiscal crisis that has hit Ireland particularly hard. Although the country’s insurance industry remains a bright spot in an otherwise fairly bleak landscape, even it is …

Willis Group Donations for Haiti Top $400K

Haiti is a place where Willis Group Holdings plc, the global insurance broker, does little or no business. Among its 17,000 employees worldwide, the firm says only one was known to come from Haiti. But still, the company’s employees responded …

Tennessee Regulators Move to Close ATA Health Insurance Firm

Tennessee officials are trying to shut down operations of two Robertson County companies accused of defrauding more than 12,000 consumers nationwide who sought affordable health insurance. Some of the $14 million that Springfield-based American Trade Association and Smart Data Solutions …

Should Florida Follow New York and Revive Its Surplus Lines Exchange?

New York regulators are pursuing a reincarnation of the New York Insurance Exchange, a Lloyd’s of London-style insurance market that lasted for several years the last time it was tried. New York Insurance Superintendent James Wrynn said the exchange would …

Catlin Estimates Impact of Chilean Quake, Windstorm Xynthia

The Bermuda-based Catlin Group Limited has given preliminary estimates of the financial impact of the Chilean earthquake – around $140 million – and Windstorm Xynthia – less than $10 million. Catlin noted that the current estimates of the insured damage …

Lloyd’s Posts 2009 Profits of $5.8 Billion

Lloyd’s announced overall pretax profits of £3.868 billion [$5.796 billion] for 2009, doubling the £1.899 billion [$2.84 billion] it reported for 2008. The record results were achieved despite ongoing economic problems in the UK and the decline in the value …

Argo Group Estimates Q1 2010 Cat Losses at $25 to $35 Million

The Bermuda-based Argo Group International Holdings announced that it expects its initial loss estimate from first quarter 2010 catastrophe events that have occurred to date will be $25 to $35 million, net of reinstatement premium and tax benefits. Argo said …