Industry News
Fitch Puts Watch on Brit plc
Fitch Ratings has placed some of Brit plc's ratings on Rating Watch Negative following an announcement that Fairfax Financial Holdings intends to acquire Brit for roughly $1.9 billion. The ratings ...
Allstate Sees Energy Bond Losses Deepen As Oil Prices Plunge
Allstate Corp., the largest publicly traded U.S. seller of auto and home insurance, said gross unrealized losses widened on energy bonds in the fourth quarter as crude prices plunged. Losses climbed ...
Swiss Re’s Restructuring Costs Slash Profit; $1.1B Share Buyback Begins
Swiss Re AG, swimming in excess capital from lower-than-expected disaster claims, reverted to share buybacks to return cash to investors after three years of paying special dividends. Following the ...
FEMA Seeks to Resolve Sandy Flood Insurance Claim Lawsuits
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is working on settling litigation with hundreds of Hurricane Sandy victims who challenged denials or alleged underpayments of flood insurance claims. Brad ...
Ironshore Eyes ‘Strategic Growth Opportunities’ After Fosun Buys 20% Stake
China's Fosun International has completed plans to grab a 20 percent stake in Ironshore Inc., a billion-dollar insurance holding company led by former AIG executives. The Shanghai-based investment ...
Everest Re Hires Marsh Vet to Lead Division’s U.S. Insurance Operations
Everest Re Group brought in a Marsh & McLennan veteran to head the U.S. offices of one of its insurance arms. Jonathan Zaffino is now president of Everest National Insurance Company's U.S. ...
Low Interest Rates Threaten Insurer Success in Europe: A.M. Best
Insurers and reinsurers alike could see some adverse affects from financial and social instability in the European Union, A.M. Best said in a new report. Points of concern range from quantitative ...
Boston’s Rapid Winter Snowfall Edges Close to Record High
Boston has had more snow this year than Fairbanks, Alaska, which is 23.3 inches below normal for this time of year at 29.7. It outstrips Fargo, North Dakota, with 15 inches. Although, things could be ...