London News

BP Oil Spill Losses Hit Reinsurers; Premiums Jump

Reinsurers have bumped up prices for offshore energy-related insurance premiums by 50 percent following insurance industry losses of up to $3.5 billion from the BP plc oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, Moody’s Investor Service said in a report …

Braemar Marine Expands in London, Singapore, Europe

Braemar Marine Inc, the marine claims and risk assessment specialist, has expanded its operations in both London and Singapore through with a series of key appointments. Chris Lunda, Formerly the VP of Braemar in the U.S., will assume a new …

Schiappa Joins Maclean, Oddy & Associates

Excess and surplus lines broker Maclean, Oddy & Associates Inc. (MOA) has appointed Sharon Schiappa as vice president and producer. Schiappa is based in Houston. Schiappa brings more than 25 years of marine and energy insurance experience to MOA, working …

Prudential Deal Exit Raises Prospects for AIA IPO

UK insurer Prudential Plc is pulling out of its bold $35.5 billion takeover of AIG’s Asian life insurance arm, ending a 3-month battle with shareholders who had argued the deal was over-priced. The widely expected move on Wednesday came after …

Gulf Oil Spill Threatens Mississippi, Alabama Islands

Oil from BP’s out-of-control Gulf of Mexico oil spill could threaten the Mississippi and Alabama coasts this week, U.S. forecasters said Monday, as public anger surged over the country’s worst environmental disaster. U.S. government and BP officials are warning that …

Lloyd’s Market Association Appoints Hurst-Bannister as Chairman

Barnabas Hurst-Bannister, Chairman of Travelers Syndicate Management Limited, has been elected Chairman of the Lloyd’s Market Association (LMA), which represents the interests of the Lloyd’s underwriting community. He succeeds Paul Jardine, Chief Operating Officer of Catlin Group Limited, who has …

London American Risk Now Offering Small Commercial Standard Lines

London American Risk Specialists Inc., based in Houston, Texas, has contracted with Travelers Insurance Co. to offer small commercial standard lines business through the firm’s Select Division. London American will have in-house binding authority for package, commercial auto, and workers …

Pru In Talks to Lower Price for AIG’s Asian Unit, AIA

Prudential has entered talks to cut its $35.5 billion offer for for AIG’s Asian life insurance arm, in a last-ditch bid to salvage a deal criticised by shareholders as too expensive. Prudential chief executive Tidjane Thiam’s future hinges on the …

Saft: Lessons for U.S., UK from Japan’s Lost Decade

Deflation and a lost decade can be avoided it seems; all we need are perfect central bankers, sensible politicians, a biddable electorate and cooperative investors. Nothing to worry about there, then. In a speech on Monday, Bank of England Monetary …

More Analysts Warn on Prudential’s $35.5 Billion Deal for AIA

A chorus of opposition is growing against Prudential Plc’s bold $35.5 billion takeover of American International Assurance (AIA), with analysts from Singapore to London flagging risks to the deal just weeks ahead of the critical shareholder vote. Many analysts have …