France News

Top Insurance Stories in 2007

The debate over climate change captured the world’s attention, including the insurance industry’s, in 2007, while major hurricanes spared the United States’ coastline. The soft market took hold of virtually all segments of the insurance market and even buyers in …

AXA to Buy 36.7 % Stake in Russia’s RESO

France’s AXA Group announced that it has reached an agreement with the shareholders of Russia’s second largest insurance agent network, Reso Garantia (RESO), to acquire a 36.7 percent stake in the company for a total cash consideration of around €810 …

Ratings Recap: Green Valley (Swiss Re), Aviva Canada, CSOB Pojistovna, Harbor Point Re, Hiscox

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has assigned its ‘BB+’ debt ratings to the €200 million ($292 million) Class A Series 1 Principal At-Risk variable-rate notes due Jan. 10, 2011 issued by Green Valley Ltd. The transaction closed on Dec. 27, …

Ratings Roundup: Ambac, Ballantyne Re, Paris Re, Cincinnati Specialty, American Strategic

Fitch Ratings has placed the following ratings of Ambac Financial Group, Inc. and Ambac Assurance Corp. (Ambac) on Rating Watch Negative: Ambac Financial Group, Inc.- Long-term rating ‘AA’; – $400 million 5.95 percent senior unsecured notes due Dec. 5, 2035 …

2007: Climate Change Dominates Debate While Soft Market Hits Entire P/C Market

The debate over climate change captured the world’s attention, including the insurance industry’s, in 2007, while major hurricanes spared the United States’ coastline. The soft market took hold of virtually all segments of the insurance market and even buyers in …

Ratings Recap: London General, AIG Global Trade, Kiln, PartnerRe (Europe), New Technology, Radian (Europe), Allied World

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength ratings of ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings of “a-” of London General Insurance Company Limited (LGI) and London General Life Company Limited (LGL) with a stable outlook for both. Best said …

Allied World to Buy Converium’s U.S. Reinsurance Operations

Bermuda-based Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, Ltd. announced that its U.S. holding company has entered into an agreement to purchase Converium Insurance (North America), Inc., a New Jersey domiciled company. Financial details of the purchase were not disclosed. Subject to …

Coastal Flood Peril Study: $3 Trillion Today – $35 Trillion by 2070

An exhaustive study of the threat posed by coastal flooding warns that “as many as 150 million people in the world’s major cities could be reliant on flood defenses by 2070 – more than three times the 40 million people …

New Report Reveals Future Exposure to Coastal Flood in Key Cities

As many as 150 million people in the world’s major cities could be reliant on flood defenses by 2070 – more than three times the 40 million people today – as a result of climate change and urban development. This …

Ratings Recap: MMA, Shinkong, First Ins., Singapore Re, Swiss Re, W.R. Berkley (Europe)

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has raised its long-term counterparty credit and insurer financial strength ratings on France-based insurer MMA IARD Assurances Mutuelle (MMA IARD) to ‘A’ from ‘A-‘. S&P also raised its insurer financial strength rating on MMA’s guaranteed …