May 2015/2

Allstate has locked in a $439mn portion of its giant nationwide cat programme after purchasing a seven-year deal in the traditional reinsurance markets, further extending its existing multi-year strategy on its core placement.

US cyber insurance was one of the few lines to record a rate increase in the first quarter of 2015, according to global broker Marsh.

Mapfre Global Risks is looking to empower local branch offices as it transitions from being an insurer largely serving Iberoamerican-controlled business to a truly global carrier with a multinational client base.

Foo heads to Swiss Re; CCR downgraded; Guenther launches advisory; Ascot hires; Capsicum Re hires; Brit lures Courchaine; Noul hits Philippines; Lockton raids THB; Third Point Re growth; Navigators GWP shrinks; AmTrust buys warranty firm; Integro buys energy specialist; Beazley's specialty push; Markel profits surge; Everest Re hires CUO; JLT Re recruits; Meadowbrook profits fall; RenaissanceRe beats; Ross row intensifies; Liiba CEO announced

Montpelier Re, the Bermudian cat specialist that has agreed to be acquired by Endurance for $1.83bn, did not receive any other binding, fully financed bids at the end of its four-month sales process.

AmTrust is to launch a London marine business after hiring Swiss Re Corporate Solutions' head of London marine, Peter Townsend.

Sometimes we Insiders get too close to the action to see the bigger picture.

Aon Benfield's Dan Burrows and Amlin's Ben Savill are in line to become the respective London and Bermuda CEOs of Richard Brindle's start-up carrier Fidelis, The Insurance Insider can reveal.