France
Covéa exerts control over UK arm with merger and rebrand
French-owned insurer MMA is to be rebranded as Covéa as part of a merger with Provident Insurance.
Groupama could be headed for junk bond rating
Groupama SA has suffered further bad news on its credit rating status with Standard & Poor’s warning it could lower the group to junk bond status.
Majority of SMEs are risk averse, survey finds
The majority of SMEs buy more than the minimum insurance cover but 30% are still willing to take a chance, a recent survey has found.
New surety manager joins QBE London team
QBE has appointed Steve Manwaring as UK surety manager.
Results improve at Coface
Trade credit insurer Coface has announced an 8% increase in turnover to €764m (£672m) in the first half of 2011 (H1 2010: €708m).
Bulletin from Bordeaux: Axa’s global chief sees UK market hardening
In his third special report from Axa's media conference in Bordeaux, Emmanuel Kenning reports on UK commercial market hardening and Axa's global prospects.
Polly C – the hottest insurance gossip
Polly was surprised to hear rumours that a leading broker, that espouses the benefits of independence, was actually in the market for a buy-out.
Mayer tasked with EMEA focus in London return
Igal Mayer has returned to London as Aviva's chief executive of Europe, Middle East and Africa. The move from CEO of the North American division comes a year after the implementation of the restructure, which saw Mark Hodges appointed to lead UK…
The PB Interview - Laurent Matras: Through the storm
Laurent Matras, managing director at Groupama Insurances, tells Andrew Tjaardstra about the state of the insurance market and how he is working closely with brokers to give his firm a competitive advantage.
Coface returns to profit
Trade credit provider Coface has announced operating profit of €89 million in the first nine months of the year compared to a loss of €240 million in the same period of 2009.
Agenda: Commission disclosure
The European Union (EU) is now putting together its consultation paper on a revised Insurance Mediation Directive and this will include their views on commission disclosure.
Axa's new CEO takes up reins at start of October
Paul Evans takes up his new position as chief executive officer of Axa UK on 1 October, following on from his appointment earlier this year to deputy CEO. He also joins Axa’s global executive committee.
Record FSA fine prompts call for brokers to help tackle fraud
Brokers have been called on to do more to support the Financial Services Authority's (FSA) crackdown on fraudulent behaviour after the regulator imposed one of the largest ever fines on an individual.
Flooding: Raising the barriers
The spate of high-profile floods over the last five years has given insurers, brokers and clients much food for thought about rates and whether or not some risks can be covered at all. Andrew Tjaardstra finds out what precautions the industry is taking.
Interview: Breaking the insurer mould
Groupama sits somewhere in the middle in terms of how it presents itself to brokers - as both a composite and a specialist. Allison Andrews explains to Martin Friel how the insurer's realistic approach maintains a balanced service.
Majority of SMEs have inadequate cover
Less than one in three (30%) small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in Europe believe they are insured in the event that a professional mistake leads to them being sued, according to research from Hiscox.
Reportage - state of the market: A very British coup
Unlike our continental cousins, buying insurance online has become de rigeur for the UK public - but it is not all doom and gloom for personal lines brokers. Louise Meeson reports on the state of market.
Young UK drivers better risk than European peers
Young British drivers are a better risk on the road than some of their European counterparts, according to research from Axa.