The UK has seen its highest level of trade credit insurance claims since 2009 with the £54m paid out in the first quarter of this year the largest of any quarter on record, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI). The number of claims made by UK firms to cover non-payment of debt was up 50% on the previous…
The collapse of Carillion earlier this year has shed light on how directors are increasingly being found culpable when a company goes under, adding further problems for risk managers to think about and clear implications for D&O insurance. The UK’s second-largest construction company Carillion went into administration in January, owing £2bn to its 30,000 suppliers, sub-contractors and other short-term creditors.…
SCOR has reorganised its growing SCOR Business Solutions (SBS) unit in a move it says will make the firm more relevant to customers, be easier for brokers to use and help deliver planned growth in the large global corporate primary market. The Paris-based group said that in line with its current strategic ‘Vision in Action’ plan, it is “enhancing the…
Global commercial insurance rates have risen for the second consecutive quarter, up 0.9% on average, driven by increases in property business and finpro lines, according to Marsh. However, overall pricing continues to fall in continental Europe, even though the rate of decline slowed again, the broker’s global insurance market index shows. The rise in global commercial insurance pricing was driven by…
Talanx has decided to merge the primary specialty operations of its Hannover Re and HDI Global operations to create HDI Global Specialty, an international specialty insurer that will kick off with more than €1bn in premium income. HDI Global, along with the other leading industrial insurers, is struggling to deliver strong and profitable growth in core traditional European lines and…
With whistleblowing set to increase throughout Europe following plans recently announced by the EC, companies are advised to keep a close eye on proceedings and growing D&O risk. Recent years have seen regulators turn to whistleblowing to unveil corporate misconduct and wrongdoing, and aid investigations and prosecutions. This has seen more and more governments introduce whistleblowing protections – including France,…
Marsh has named Paul Denny as leader of its UK financial and professional practice (FINPRO). Mr Denny has worked for Marsh since 1989. He most recently headed up northeast US FINPRO and US errors and omissions, where he worked with professional services firms and financial institutions to cover their professional liability and cyber risk programmes. Mr Denny will manage Marsh’s…
A growing focus on privacy and tougher EU data protection laws could drive future claims against directors and officers, experts warn. The recent alleged misuse of personal data belonging to Facebook users has shone the spotlight on privacy liability just as the EU implements its General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) on 25 May. The GDPR introduces new rights for consumers…
German reinsurer Munich Re has announced a trio of executive appointments at its Asian branch, Munich Re Syndicate Asia. Tony Betteridge has been promoted to head of marine where he will be responsible for cargo, project cargo, hull and marine liability. Joel Pridmore has been appointed as head of financial lines and business development and will be expected to build…
Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com is to acquire a third of Allianz China General Insurance as part of its push into the financial services sector. The 33.3% stake, which is still subject to government approval, will cost JD.com $85.4m (CNY537m) and will make it the second-largest shareholder in the insurance operation, after Allianz. JD.com, the second-largest e-commerce company in China after…