May 2013/4

Swiss specialist property and engineering (re)insurer Infrassure has accused OSO SK Allianz of bribing judges as a reinsurance dispute was litigated through the relevant tiers of the Russian legal system.

Brown & Brown acquired the well-regarded independent broker Beecher Carlson last week to give the expansive US retailer a greater presence in larger corporate accounts-type business.  

Carlier appointed; Reinsurance buyer leaves Argo; Marketform moves; Marsh buys; Claims build-out; Towergate loss; Lloyd's leverage; China grows; Kramer reunites; Montpelier endorsed; Goddard hire; RenRe loans Universal $20mn; Xchanging opens Malay hub; Kiln NED; Miller hire; UK motor convergence; Endurance hires four

Japanese big three insurer Tokio Marine and giant agricultural cooperative Zenkyoren revealed last week that they are holding discussions about the formation of a "comprehensive strategic alliance".  

Big three broker Willis has placed itself on a collision course with the Corporation of Lloyd's by making an audacious bid to put together a 20 percent facility on its London market specialty book.

The Insurance Insider writes to John Charman to tell him a lot has happened in the short time he has been out of the market

As the Florida-centric 1 June renewal enters the finishing straight, the picture emerging is of rate reductions that are more significant than initially forecast and a traditional and non-traditional market that is offering buyers a broader range of coverage options than ever before.