July 2015/1

Reinsurers are bracing themselves for a two-fold blow from the proposed Ace-Chubb deal, with the impact of treaty consolidation expected to be compounded by Chubb adopting a more aggressive approach to buying.

One of the key merger benefits touted by Willis and Towers Watson is the significant growth potential for the professional services firm's healthcare exchange business in the US middle market.

The agreed merger with Towers Watson is being seen as a much-needed fillip for Willis Re after the departure of a number of senior figures in recent months.

The proposed merger of Towers Watson and Willis has raised questions over the professional services firm's alliance agreement with JLT and the ability of either broker's reinsurance arm to leverage its analytical tools.

Described by sources close to Willis as "one of the best kept secrets in the insurance business", the "merger of equals" with Towers Watson left some observers struggling to decipher the rationale behind the $18bn deal.

RSA hires Egan; Dual hires Watson; Colombian growth; Flood Re kicks off retro tender; Taxing growth; NZ's EQC rethink; Oklahoma frack fight; Libertad Peru; Moody's reviews CGSC; Unshockable M&A; BP Marsh picks Plum investment; Colosso exits Howden

London-listed insurer Lancashire and Munich Re's Lloyd's platform Watkins are among the carriers most reliant on the distressed energy market for premium income, analysis from The Insurance Insider shows.

Major UK personal lines insurer Direct Line secured a risk-adjusted rate reduction of around 10 percent as the speed of softening in the UK market decelerated significantly, The Insurance Insider understands.

Validus CEO Ed Noonan has excoriated the PartnerRe board for the way that it has conducted itself through its agreed sale to Axis and the subsequent struggle with hostile acquirer Exor.

Most downstream insurers have entered the second half of the year with around 75 percent of the year's expected business placed but income levels off-target, according to JLT Specialty.

The rapid downward pricing trajectory seen in the upstream energy market in recent quarters has started to show signs of subsiding, according to the latest energy report from JLT Specialty.

New York-listed insurer Navigators has continued its push for international expansion by hiring the political violence and terrorism team of Munich Re's Lloyd's arm Watkins, The Insurance Insider can reveal.