France News

European Safety Agency Orders More Airbus Speed Sensor Checks

European safety officials have ordered checks on certain Airbus speed sensors supplied by U.S. manufacturer Goodrich, just weeks after clamping down on similar equipment from France’s Thales. Potentially faulty speed readings from sensors made by Thales are at the center …

People

Louisiana-based insurance wholesaler, Specialty Risk Associates Inc., announced several changes to its management team. Thomas Garland was named chief operating officer. Garland joined Specialty Risk in 2004 as vice president of Marketing and Underwriting responsible for the coordination of marketing …

Guy Carpenter Report Updates European Legal, Legislative Changes

Guy Carpenter & Company, LLC has published its annual update on legislative and legal developments affecting insurers and reinsurers in Continental Europe. The report – available at: www.GCCapitalIdeas.com – “addresses the implications of the ongoing global financial crisis and highlights …

Wildfires Wreak Havoc around the World

Australia, Canada, Spain, France, Italy, Greece, California: They’ve all experienced devastating wildfires. Is there a connection? In February bush fires swept through large parts of the state of Victoria, killing 173 people and destroying more than 2,000 homes. The fires …

Burke Joins Arkansas’ Stephens Insurance

Patrick J. Burke has been appointed as a senior vice president with Stephens Insurance LLC, based in Little Rock, Ark. Burke has spent the last 30 years advising select utilities and utilities mutual insurance companies. He has designed risk coverage …

Best Revises Outlook on SCOR to Positive; Affirms ‘A-‘ Ratings

A.M. Best Co. has revised the outlook to positive from stable and affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and the issuer credit rating (ICR) of “a-” of French reinsurer SCOR S.E. and its rated subsidiaries. Best has …

UPDATE – Thousands Flee Raging Wildfires in Greece

An overnight drop in gale-force winds offered hard-pressed Greek firefighters a brief respite Monday after wildfires raged unchecked for two days north of Athens, burning houses and swathes of forest while forcing thousands to flee their homes. But the winds …

Lloyd’s Assesses Impact of Heat Waves and Wildfires

The recent series of wildfires that ravaged parts of Spain, France, Greece and Italy in late July may well be symptomatic of the warming trend in global weather patterns according to experts at Lloyd’s of London. “Spain was worst hit …

FERMA Supports RIMS Position on Brokers Contingent Commissions

The Federation of European Risk Management Associations (FERMA) has issued a bulletin expressing concerns over a new ruling in the US state of Illinois that allows brokers to resume taking contingent commissions. The bulletin said the association supports the “stance …

New York Regulator Signs Cooperation Agreement with Thailand

The New York State Insurance Department recently signed an agreement with regulators in Thailand that calls for increased cooperation between the two in investigating insurance matters. The agreement formalizes coordination between the two regulatory bodies. “This agreement between Thailand and …