economic crisis News

Survey Shows 8-in-10 Americans Believe in Climate Change

More than eight-in-10 Americans now believe the climate is changing – although they place that concern beneath issues like global political instability, economic crisis or a pandemic. Munich Re America’s inaugural 2014 Climate Change Barometer survey released on Tuesday shows …

UK Prime Minister Cameron Promises Britons Straight Choice on EU Exit

Prime Minister David Cameron promised on Wednesday to give Britons a referendum choice on whether to stay in the European Union or leave if he wins an election in 2015, placing a question mark over Britain’s membership for years. Cameron …

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

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 coverage was one of those …

IMF Urges Permanent Fix to U.S. ‘Fiscal Cliff’

The International Monetary Fund on Thursday urged the United States to quickly reach an agreement on a permanent fix to avoid automatic tax hikes and spending cuts early next year, saying a stop-gap solution could be harmful to the global …

Best Reports Italy’s Non-Life Insurance Sector Faces Shifting Landscape

The Italian non-life insurance market faces changes as the sector is subject to new legislation and industry consolidation, while the country’s ongoing economic challenges constrain demand for coverage, according to a new report from A.M. Best Co. Best explained that …

Best’s Report on Spanish Non-Life Sector Finds Profits, Future Challenges

“The Spanish non-life insurance sector remained profitable in 2011, but growth remains challenging, as it continues to face one of the bleakest economic environments since the 1930s,” according to a new report from A.M. Best Co. Best explained that non-life …

Best Affirms AXIS Specialty and Subs ‘A’ Ratings; Outlook Positive

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a+” of AXIS Specialty Limited and its operating affiliates, as well as the ICR of “bbb+” and all existing debt ratings …

Europe Drawn Back to its First Problem – Greece

The euro zone debt crisis was born in Greece. Nearly three years and two bailouts on Europe must decide whether to give the country yet more help or cut it loose. For all its complexities, Greece’s problems essentially come down …

Swiss Re Reports Italian Insurance Market at ‘Crossroads’ of Change

According to Swiss Re’s latest study – The Italian insurance market: opportunities in the land of the Renaissance – “Italy stands at the crossroads of economic and social change, and therefore offers interesting opportunities for the insurance industry.” The report …

Best Sees No Change in MAPFRE USA Group Ratings

A.M. Best Co. has commented that the financial strength ratings (FSR) of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings of “a” of the members of MAPFRE USA Group are unchanged following the recent market volatility surrounding Spain’s economic conditions, derived from …