19th August 2012

The Global Insurance Week

This week, Aviva was downgraded by Standard & Poor's as interest grew in its US life book, whilst Hiscox was upgraded by Fitch. South African insurer Sanlam is looking at a stake in a Malaysian insurer, and Resolution is to move to a more traditional life company structure and change its strategy.
Fitch updated its ILS rating criteria and also reviewed the US life market.
No further action is planned against actuaries related to the Equitable Life saga.
AIR introduced a catastrophe model for buildings under construction, Ebix acquired London Market sofware and communications specialist TriSystems, and Quindell finalised another claims management purchase. A StoneRiver solution was selected by a major US workers' compensation insurer and FICO is to buy Adeptra.
Interim results included QBE, Resolution, Standard Life, Tryg and Zurich. The three major Japanese insurers also announced disappointing first fiscal quarter results.
Zurich appointed a new head of General Insurance.