MasterCard and Visa warn of massive security breach, insurers highlighting the need for cyber security

Financial giant MasterCard has announced that there may have been a breach in its security systems this week. The potential breach is linked to a third-party vendor based in the United States. MasterCard has contacted banks and law enforcement to mitigate the problems caused by the security breach and has also elicited the aid of an independent security organization to assess the extent of the damage the breach may have caused. This particular breach could have an impact on more than 10 million customers around the world. MasterCard has been…

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United Nations report stresses the need for action on climate change

Climate change may be a controversial issue in the world of politics, but the insurance industry is betting on dramatic weather becoming a reality in the near future. The belief of the global insurance industry is shared by the United Nations. The UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has released a report concerning climate-related disasters, indicating that all nations will be susceptible to extreme weather. The report is aimed at politicians around the world, stressing the necessity of preparing for future disasters wrought by climate change. The United Nations claims…

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Vienna Insurance Group sees European insurance markets stagnating amidst financial crisis

Vienna Insurance Group, one of the largest insurers in Europe, is showing concern over the regions international insurance markets. According to the company’s forecasts, the markets are becoming stagnant and, in the best case scenario, would remain as such for the remainder of this year. This stagnation is likely a product of how consumers are responding to the ongoing economic crisis that is spreading throughout Europe. Because of this growing trend, the insurer has announced steps that it will be taking to ensure its place as one of Europe’s most influential companies.…

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UK Supreme Court issues ruling on controversial asbestos liability case

The United Kingdom Supreme Court has issued a ruling on a controversial case concerning asbestos in workplaces. The issue arose in 2008, when a number of people came forward to seek reparations after being diagnosed with mesothelioma, a type of lung cancer connected with inhaling asbestos and other fibrous materials. The country’s appeals courts struggled to determine whether liability lied with employers for exposing workers to dangerous conditions or if liability began when a victim started exhibiting symptoms of illness. Despite the conflict, the High Court ruled in 2008 that…

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Lloyd’s of London reports second largest loss from 2011’s insurance market swing

The insurance market of Lloyd’s of London LOL.UL has reported that it experienced its second largest losses in 2011, following the absorption of record breaking claim costs resulting from the natural catastrophes that included the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, as well as the flooding in Thailand. This statement was made on March 28, as it compared its last year’s loss of £516 million with the profit that it made in 2010, of £2.2 billion. The reported loss included the combined financial performance of the eighty insurance syndicate competitors which…

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