April 2009/2

Aon's revamp of its UK pension structure comes as the big three global brokers continue to target cost cutting measures within a difficult trading environment.

Rates for national US property-catastrophe reinsurance programmes rose by between 10 and 14 percent on a risk-adjusted basis at 1 April renewals, continuing the hardening trend seen in January’s renewals for catastrophe-exposed lines, according to broker

Global reinsurers' capital may have deteriorated by a further 10 percent in the first quarter of 2009 as stock markets continued to slide, according to Guy Carpenter (GC)’s head of business intelligence Chris Klein.

Hurricane forecasters from Colorado State University have lowered an early prediction of 14 named storms in the upcoming Atlantic season to 12.

Class of 2005 start-up Lancashire Holdings said last week it expects to benefit from a surge in demand for Gulf of Mexico (GOM) energy capacity in the second quarter, after deliberately holding back capacity in the first three months.

The momentum behind hardening in the airline insurance market has seen average lead hull and liability rate rises of 5 percent in 2009, according to a sector update from Aon.

Standard and Poor’s (S&P) has revised its outlook on French composite insurer Groupama to negative from stable, citing increased pressure on the company’s capital adequacy resulting from the sharp decline in market conditions.

Ratings agency Moody's has completed a hat-trick of negative agency actions against Warren Buffett-owned Berkshire Hathaway, by downgrading the financial strength ratings on its insurance subsidiaries from Aaa to Aa1.

UK FTSE 100 companies are purchasing 20 percent more directors’ and officers’ (D&O) insurance compared to 12 months ago, amid heightened concerns over litigation, shareholder action, and increased regulator scrutiny...

Bermuda-based Ironshore has tapped into the steady stream of talent leaving struggling insurance giant American International Group (AIG) with the appointment of Tim McAuliffe - former president of AIG Excess Casualty - as president of its specialty casua

One of the founders of energy specialist Torus Insurance Holdings, David Hope, has stepped down from his position as chief underwriting officer, The Insurance Insider can reveal.

Aon unveils UK energy unit; Sagicor starts life at Lloyd's with Cassidy Davis hire; RSA acquires Irish Underwriter; Glacier opens new Swiss office; LPL expands into Caribbean.