July 2004/4

Anglo-American scheme increase The joint scheme administrators of Anglo American Insurance Company, KPMG partners Tony McMahon and John Wardrop, revealed that the payout percentage has climbed yet further from 85 percent to 90 percent.

Dutch retail giant Royal Ahold announced on Friday (16 July) that it had reached a settlement with AIG of all outstanding litigation relating to $100mn D&O coverage of its US Foodservice subsidiary.

Equity analysts from Morgan Stanley have reinforced concerns over insurers’ exposure to environmental liabilities, suggesting current reserves are “priced for perfection”, and warning that claims for Natural Resource Damages (NRDs) should be looming large

World Trade Center leaseholder Larry Silverstein succeeded in persuading US district court judge Michael Mukasey to issue a “confidentiality order” over mediation discussions between the remaining ten insurers.

UK risk managers’ representative body AIRMIC has welcomed a statement from the Financial Services Authority (FSA) that many group risk managers will be spared from regulation imposed by the Insurance Mediation Directive when it comes into force at the sta

Lloyd’s announced Friday (16 July) that all slips placed under binding authority agreements will have to meet London Market Principles (LMP) standards from the start of 2005.

The defunct Australian insurer HIH Casualty & General will be able to allege fraud against its broker JLT Risk Solutions over controversial film finance losses written in 1997.

Despite UK insurance analysts’ collective scepticism over Berkshire Hathaway plans to back a Lloyd’s consolidation vehicle, sources suggest Capital Insurance Holdings remains on target to float on the Alternative Investment Market by the end of the month.

Lloyd’s underwriting members will provide a compulsory loan from next year as part of a scheme to grow the Society’s central assets and improve its financial strength ratings.

New market opportunities are creating a more positive business outlook than at any time in the past three years, the most recent International Insurance Society (IIS) survey of insurance executives has revealed.

According to reports last week, Zurich Financial Services (ZFS) faces more than $500mn in debts after a Texas bankruptcy ruling that the Swiss company had part ownership in failed nursing-home operator Senior Living Properties.

French reinsurer SCOR has announced the completion of a platform for electronic data exchange with reinsurance broker Benfield.