Investors call for private sector to mobilize against climate change

Despite controversy, the issue of climate change is gaining serious momentum with various industries. During a session of the United Nations last week, a group of investors with a collective $26 trillion under management, took a stand on the issue, claiming that the private sector needs to be more involved in protecting the environment and that no singular government can solve the problem. The collective group is comprised of insurance professionals, government officials and business leaders from all over the world. Few governments have taken the issue of climate change…

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Berkshire India announces intentions to sell either health or life insurance

A branch of Berkshire Hathaway – a firm owned by Warren Buffet – called Berkshire India has announced that it will be selling either Bajaj Allianz life or health insurance products to consumers in India. Bajaj Allianz corporate agent, Berkshire India is already providing retail customers with online travel and auto insurance products through its distribution website. However, according to Arun Balakrishnan, the CEO of BerkshireInsurance.com, within the upcoming six months, the insurer plans “to launch one more product which would be either health insurance or term life product.” Their…

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Institute of International Finance warns European Union regarding upcoming changes to insurance and banking regulations

As the European Union seeks to draft new plans governing the investments made by insurance companies, the world’s largest financial institution has voice concern over the initiative. The Institute of International Finance claims that the new rules being weighed by the EU will encourage insurers to seek out riskier investments. Such practice would put the world’s financial infrastructure in a dangerous position, as the assets most often pursued by insurance companies looking to generate major profit are the ones whose failure is disastrous. The EU is looking to change regulations…

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Cinven buys U.K. Guardian life and pension from Aegeon

Cinven Ltd. has announced that it has purchased the life and pension unit of U.K. Guardian from the Dutch insurance company which owns Scottish Equitable, Aegon NV, for $449 million, in the effort to reduce its expenses within the United Kingdom. According to Aegon, which is based in the Hague, by the end of June 2011, the U.K. Guardian unit had recorded a value of approximately $445 million. Its unit for asset management will still be responsible for Guardian’s approximately $12 billion in assets on Cinven’s behalf. By 2015, Aegon’s…

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Insurance survey shows consumers unclear about what they really have

A new survey from Accenture, a managing and technology services company, has been released. The survey draws upon the experience of 7,000 people across 13 countries regarding their satisfaction with the insurance industry. The worldwide industry has come under a fair amount of scrutiny recently for glorifying insurance policies that are far less than what they claim to be. Accenture’s survey reveals major gaps between what customers expect to receive from insurers and what they are actually getting. According to the survey, 84% of respondents said that they were satisfied…

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