April 2, 2010
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-‘ …
April 2, 2010
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 …
April 1, 2010
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 …
March 31, 2010
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 …
March 31, 2010
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 …
March 30, 2010
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 …
March 30, 2010
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 …
March 25, 2010
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 …
March 24, 2010
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 …
March 23, 2010
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 …