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…
Read MoreLloyd’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…
Read MoreTotal SA natural gas leak births insurance nightmare as the industry tackles yet another man-made environmental disaster
Trouble is brewing in the North Sea where a major natural gas leak is causing problems for Total SA, a multinational oil company. The leak began at one of the companies abandoned platforms, dubbed the “well of hell” by environmentalists. Total is claiming that it will take at least six months to shut off the flow of natural gas due to high pressures within the reservoir beneath the platform. The company now faces serious backlash from the insurance industry for being at the heart of yet another man-made environmental disaster.…
Read MoreFacebook clashes with employers over passwords and user accounts
Facebook is a majorly successful social network. Hundreds of thousands of people use the network each day to share information with their friends and participate in various online communities. The network is also popular amongst businesses, though not in the same way as it is with consumers. To many businesses, Facebook is a tool for social media marketing. It can be used to market to a specific demographic, or to investigate a potential hire. The latter purpose is becoming more commonplace, and Facebook is looking to put an end to…
Read MoreInsurance brokers benefit from recovering economy and rising prices
The economic recovery and the increases in prices have helped to boost the largest publicly traded insurance brokers as a whole throughout 2011 when compared to the year before. According to the director at Stifel, Nicolaus & Co. Inc., Meyer Shields, these two factors were very helpful to the collective fortune of these insurance brokers. He stated that “It’s not the strongest recovery we’ve ever seen. It’s not the strongest rate cycle we’ve ever seen. But it’s helping.” The industry has discovered that as there is not as much income…
Read MoreReinsurance companies face tremendous losses
Last year, the reinsurance sector was battered down by huge losses resulting from natural disasters. The disasters that lead to the enormous insured losses included the earthquakes in New Zealand, the flooding in Thailand and Australia, and the tsunami following the earthquake in Japan. These were all top events discussed in the most recent survey results from the Reinsurance Association of America. Catastrophe losses considered, the combined ratios for most reinsurers within the group were reported to have fallen. According to the executive director covering property and casualty insurance at…
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