June 2008/4

Previous contracts are likely to play an increasingly large role in legal cases following a precedent-setting case involving a policy taken out by Standard Life, say insurance law experts Ince & Co.

Hyperion Insurance Group Ltd has announced that its 2007 operating profit increased by 10 percent to £6.5mn, compared to £5.9mn in 2006.

Qatar has staked its claim to be the leading centre for insurance in the Middle East with a move to launch an electronic trading platform later this year to service the sector.

Zurich Financial Services (ZFS) - the enduring frontrunner in the race to buy Royal Bank of Scotland's up-for-sale insurance businesses - overcame a significant hurdle last week when reports confirmed that the firm had its financing in place.

Former CEO of XL insurance Clive Tobin is set to front energy start up Torus Insurance Holdings Ltd (Bermuda), which has been formally launched today (Monday), The Insurance Insider has learnt.

As many as 500,000 homes in the UK could become uninsurable unless the Government takes action to protect them, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI).

Insurers face a greater threat from weak pricing than from the credit crisis in the months ahead, according to Swiss Re.

German reinsurer Hannover Re has reached an "exclusive agreement" with Indian reinsurer GIC Re to develop and underwrite life reinsurance business in India, the group has announced.

Aon Corp's Middle East division has opened a regional headquarters in the Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC), after being granted a license to operate within the DIFC.

The Chubb Corporation has appointed John Dengan as vice chairman and chief operating officer among several senior promotions at the US firm.

US insurer Assurant Inc has announced the completion of its catastrophe reinsurance programme for 2008 and, with rates falling, was able to buy additional cover.

Angus Cameron is to join Marsh as CFO of its UK operations, parent company MMC confirmed last week.