London News

By Charles E. Boyle

From Novelty to Necessity: Bermuda’s Insurance Market 2008 Bermuda’s insurance industry has grown steadily since it began 50 years ago. It is now a mature market, and, in certain sectors – natural catastrophes, crop insurance and medical malpractice – it …

New Markets

New Markets The following markets were selected from the MyNewMarkets database of 25,000 coverages and programs. To find additional markets, or to submit markets, go to www.MyNewMarkets.com. Builders Risk and Affiliated Exposures Market Detail: Atlantic Risk Specialists (www.arspecialists.com) brings builders …

Aon Launches UK Extortion Consulting with Police Expert

Aon announced from its London office that its Crisis Management Unit has hired the former senior investigating officer for multinational extortion at the British police to head up a new extortion consulting team. The decision came in the wake of …

Willis Names Tracey to Head Global Professional Services Group

Willis Group Holdings announced the appointment of Keith Tracey as Chairman of Willis’ Global Professional Services Practice, effective immediately. He will report to Roland Avery, Chairman, FINEX (Willis’ Financial, Executive and Professional risks division) and to Joe Trotti, CEO, Global …

XL Expands Canada Aviation Team

XL Insurance, XL Capital’s global insurance operations, has expanded its specialty insurance product offerings in Canada with the appointment of a new aviation insurance team lead by Tony Trost. He joins XL Insurance’s global aviation and aerospace insurance unit as …

Allianz Group and Fireman’s Fund Team to Combine Marine Insurance Business

Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS), the industrial insurance arm of the Allianz Group, and Fireman’s Fund Insurance Co, an Allianz general insurance unit in the United States, are combining their marine insurance businesses,. The two Allianz subsidiaries will be …

Catlin Posts 21% Decline in First Half Net Income; GPW Top $2 Billion

The Bermuda-based Catlin Group Limited posted mixed financial results for the first half of 2008. While gross written premiums were up four percent to $2.075 billion, net income before taxes for the period declined by 21 percent from $190.25 million …

Argo Group Bucks the Trend as Q2, H1 Net Income Increases

The Bermuda-based Argo International Holdings, Ltd. (The successor to Argonaut Insurance) announced comparatively good financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008. Net income for the second quarter rose to $23 million from $21 million in …

Lloyd’s Europe Manager Highlights Expansion Plans

In a recent interview, published on the Lloyd’s web site (www.lloyds.com), Enrico Bertagna, Regional Manager for Europe, discussed Lloyd’s present and future plans to expand the London Market’s presence. Europe is a vital region for Lloyd’s and there are plans …

Credit Crunch Cripples European Insurers’ Profits

The global credit crisis tore a hole in the profits of some of Europe’s top insurers on Thursday, with AXA and Aegon both posting lower earnings. Share reactions were mixed across Europe. The DJ Stoxx European Banking Index fell 0.6 …