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Meteor Blast Impacts Russia: AIR Worldwide

February 16, 2013February 16, 2013 Guest Author

According to catastrophe modeling firm AIR Worldwide, on Friday, February 15, a meteor exploded over the city of Chelyabinsk (population: 1 million) in Russia’s central Ural Mountains, injuring hundreds and causing damage to buildings in six cities. According to the Russian Academy of Sciences, the massive meteor weighed 10 tons and entered the earth’s atmosphere at a speed as high as 33,000 mph. Most of the damage was caused by the shock waves as the meteor broke up in the atmosphere. The force of the explosion was enough to shatter…

News Report from AIR Worldwide Puts Recent Catastrophe Losses in Perspective

January 16, 2013January 16, 2013 Guest Author

Insurance News on catastrophe insurance losses

BOSTON, Jan. 16, 2013 – In 2011, insured losses from global natural catastrophe losses exceeded USD 110 billion according to industry sources, the second-highest figure ever recorded. A new report from catastrophe modeling firm AIR Worldwide reveals that there is nearly a 7 percent probability that the global insurance industry will experience this loss level or greater in any given year (translating to a 15-year return period loss). AIR’s report titled Taking a Comprehensive View of Catastrophe Risk Worldwide not only puts the 2011 losses in perspective but also examines…

Insurance industry warning released by Lloyd’s of London

November 29, 2012November 27, 2012 Julie Campbell

The oldest market of insurers in the world has issued a caution to the globe. Lloyd’s of London, the oldest coverage market worldwide, has issued a warning to the insurance industry, cautioning it that if a natural disaster should strike in emerging economies, the cost of rebuilding could be enormous. It has included over a dozen emerging economies in its warning against tremendous rebuilding bills. In fact, it pointed out that there is currently a global insurance industry deficit worth £104 million ($168 million), and that this is now affecting…

Global Federation of Insurance Associations forms to combat rampant regulation

October 12, 2012October 12, 2012 Nordstrom

Insurers come together to form the Global Federation of Insurance Associations Insurance regulations around the world are becoming more stringent in the wake of the global financial crisis that began taking off in 2008. The crisis is responsible for a severe economic depression in the U.S. and other countries and is being widely attributed to the lack of strict regulation of both the insurance and banking industries. Because of the industry’s link to the financial crisis, companies around the world are beginning to see extreme regulations that are making it…

Insurance industry backing financial integration in the European Union

June 21, 2012 Nordstrom

EU continues to enact dramatic changes with the help of the insurance industry The ongoing financial crisis gripping Europe has been a subject of major concern around the world. The crisis has serious implications for the global economy, which could be severely impacted if the European Union cannot find a solution to the ongoing problem. The EU has turned to the global insurance industry, suggesting that insurance could be a way to solve the problems facing many of the countries facing economic troubles. In this case, insurance coverage is being…

Climate change could spark more wildfires around the world

June 16, 2012 S.Vagus

Imaga from Wikipedia Global Warming Map Showing the Hottest Temperatures in the past decade

Insurers becoming increasingly concerns over the effects of climate change Climate change is a highly politicized issue that has generated a great deal of controversy over the years. Though the issue has caused division in numerous industries and within the political world itself, it has been better received by the global insurance industry. Climate change and its potential effects have caused a great deal of concern amongst insurers who have long kept tabs on changes in environments and weather patterns. Because climate change could spur profound financial losses, insurers are…

Zurich Insurance posts first quarter profits after decline in natural disaster claims

May 11, 2012April 30, 2013

Insurer sees profits in the wake of 2011 catastrophes Zurich Insurance Group, Switzerland’s largest insurance company, has released information concerning its first quarter profits for this year. The company posted high profits this year after overcoming the challenges presented by the past two consecutive years of natural disasters. Last year’s catastrophes broke record losses throughout the world, leaving many insurance companies in a vulnerable position. Large insurers, like Zurich, have been able to recover from the disasters and have even shown promising growth in the first quarter of 2012. Zurich…