February 2015/1

Evidence from US primary bellwethers indicates a further deceleration of US commercial P&C rate increases during the fourth quarter, amid suggestions that pricing is now falling below loss cost trends

The need to increase Miller's ability to grow was the principal driver behind its merger with Willis, the firm's CEO Graham Clarke has explained

Willis' fine art, jewellery and specie team along with its kidnap and ransom specialist SCR will be the first units to join Miller when the global broker's deal to buy an 85 percent partnership in the independent London wholesaler completes

Marsh & McLennan Companies (MMC) has announced details of its 2015 young professional forum and gala night - a market initiative that aims to develop future industry leaders

US wholesale broker Amwins is one of the parties conducting due diligence on London market broker RFIB, The Insurance Insider can reveal

Share price data on The Insurance Insider's universe of P&C (re)insurers

P&C (re)insurance stocks got off to a shaky start in the first month of 2015 as The Insider 30 declined by 0.26 percent.

The future of UK intermediary Towergate remains unclear despite the successful restructure of its £1bn debt pile, with no long-term strategic direction confirmed

Big four continental reinsurer Scor and Transatlantic Re owner Alleghany are both exploring the possibility of "jumping" the Axis-PartnerRe merger, The Insurance Insider understands

The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (Eiopa) has said a 7.6 percent cut in its proposed budget for 2015 will impact the delivery of Solvency II.

The Placing Platform Limited (PPL) board's decision on which firm will be chosen to roll out electronic placing to the London market is due in the next few weeks, according to sources.

Brian Duperreault's Hamilton Insurance Group is among the bidders that have made it through to the second round of the Montpelier Re sale process, The Insurance Insider can reveal

London company market trade body the International Underwriting Association (IUA) has welcomed the Bank of England (BoE)'s appointment of Sam Woods as executive director for insurance supervision but expressed concern over a lack of experience in its insurance division.

If any evidence was needed of just how soft the Florida reinsurance market will be at 1 June it can be found in the placement of recent start-up Mount Beacon's cat programme

A London jurisdiction dispute has uncovered a suit for unfair dismissal brought by Gary Hirst, one of the four founders of Chesterfield Insurance Brokers, against the London-based intermediary.

Private insurers could need $1.5bn+ new limit as cat fund also considers risk transfer

London market broker Houlder (Houlder London) was granted permission late last month to use a defence alleging fraud and forgery against its Asian sister broker Houlder Far East in a negligence dispute being litigated in London.

Gibraltarian motor insurer Southern Rock Insurance Company appeared in court last month (30 January) amid a bitter row with its broker Brightside Group, which allegedly failed to adequately screen policyholders.

The end of 2014 and the beginning of 2015 has seen a flurry of activity in the Japanese legacy market with three books totalling $224mn being acquired by buyers across the Pacific, The Insurance Insider understands.

Legacy-to-live carrier Enstar has completed its $218mn acquisition of South Carolina-headquartered Companion Property & Casualty Insurance Group, the firm announced late last month.

Enstar's Lloyd's legacy platform Shelbourne has struck a reinsurance to close (RITC) agreement that will bring the curtain down on the ill-fated Singapore-based syndicate backed by Japanese trading house Mitsui & Co, The Insurance Insider can reveal.

Kinsale prepares for IPO; Milligan joins Lancashire; Novae confirms Patten; Guy Carp hires analytics exec; Compre finds a buyer; Tokio GWP hike...

Should investors take advantage of wider risk-asset spreads or play it safe?

Former underwriters from defunct Swiss insurer Infrassure have spawned new energy capacity as they have begun to write fresh books of business elsewhere or have set up their own businesses.