From Editor - in - Chief

Defining a winner with trust

Hannover Re: Committed to Asia

Hannover Re, with a gross premium of around EUR12 billion (US$15.3 billion), is the third-largest reinsurer in the world and has a long association with Asia. In an exclusive interview with Asia Insurance Review, Mr Andre Arrago, Board Member,...

Ernst & Young: Arm your strategy with clarity

2013 is a year of decisions. Continued opportunities for growth, increased regulations, constantly changing customer expectations, and evolving regional catastrophe risk all call for insurers in Asia to make informed decisions and turn the year to...

IIS: Soaring to new heights

The International Insurance Society (IIS) marks a milestone as it goes through a transition in its leadership. Mr Norman Sorensen, who has been IIS Chairman since 2010 and recently retired as Chairman - International of Principal Financial Group, is...

CEOs in the News - Kudos to the newsmakers!

One came out of retirement to help keep a giant from toppling, while another rallied the industry to be relevant again to the world. There is also one who is making a comeback in insurance with bigger ambitions and more money to fuel them, and still...

Lesson from the floods - Room for the serious as market evolves

Since the disastrous infamous Thai floods, Thailand has seen corrections made, lessons learnt and opportunities seized. Asia Insurance Review looks at what is in store for committed and serious players.

Lesson from the floods - Asia-Pacific: Hot-spot analysis necessary to deal with value accumulation

Mr Andreas Siebert of Munich Re discusses the importance of tracking and analysing exposures to natural catastrophes and, in turn, minimising their impact on balance sheets.

2013 CEO Challenge - Pursuing profits and purpose

Being focussed on the bottom line and finding sustainability are herculean but standard demands on the CEOs today in a crisis-ridden world. Three experts share their insights on long-term profitability and nurturing talent.

2013 CEO Challenge: The CEO's agenda in 2013 - From top-line growth to long-term profitability

Whilst expansion of the top line is an achievable goal for most insurers across the region's emerging insurance markets, profitable growth is by no means a certainty and, in many cases, is achieved after significant investment of capital and time....

2013 CEO Challenge - The US$2 trillion prize - Keep it simple and do it well

Many life insurers see Asia's potential - which by 2025 is projected to be worth US$2 trillion in premiums - and have either made their way here or are in the midst of moving here. But not everyone who is in Asia is successful. Mr Mark Saunders and...

Gearing up for Asean Economic Community

With the impact of the 2011 Thai floods still making waves, the Thai insurance industry is now gearing up for 2015 when ASEAN economies integrate into a common market.

Regulator leads the charge

The Office of Insurance Commission (OIC) had a busy past year looking both back and forward. Looking back, it had worked proactively with the industry in responding to the flood crisis and initiating measures to mitigate the impact of similar future...

Preparing for ASEAN Economic Community

Various stakeholders are preparing for the coming of ASEAN Economic Community in 2015. Mr Jiraphant Asvatanakul, President of the Thai General Insurance Association, speaks to Asia Insurance Review on the preparations and the new rules in place.

CAT risk column - Catastrophic Flooding in Asia - When "Cold" becomes "Hot"

What has the modelling community learned from the 2011 Thai floods? Dr Richard Norreys of EQECAT Inc shares his insights.

The Geneva Association - Same challenges, new solutions

In this extract from the Geneva Association Newsletter, Mr Randy Brown of Deutsche Bank Asset & Wealth Management says the trend toward innovative approaches to asset management is likely to gather strength.

Directors' liability in the shadows

Recently, directors and officers have been the subject of civil and criminal prosecutions in Singapore and Hong Kong. Mr Patrick Perry and Ms Melissa Russell from Clyde & Co consider who is considered a "Director" by the court.

India Rendezvous - Stay basic, stay relevant

Speakers at the 6th India Rendezvous with some 500 delegates made a strong pitch for the industry to improve its underwriting skills and to pursue basic insurance principles to remain competitive and relevant.

Myanmar - Asia's last frontier economy?

Insurers are looking with anticipation to enter what has been described as Asia's last frontier economy. We speak with the regulator and a domestic private insurer granted conditional approval to gain insight into the market.

Space Weather Spotlight - Geomagnetic storms

Four experts from Aon Benfield Analytics Asia Pacific raise the red alert on severe space weather events that could cripple electrical power grids, communication systems and satellite networks. A Must Read.

Arab reinsurers: Seeking Asia's pot of gold

Despite the difficult operating environment in Asia, the region remains an essential part of the business for some Arab reinsurers.

FAIR Seminar on agriculture and microinsurance - Yes we can

The Prime Minister of Bangladesh stresses the importance of bringing agriculture insurance to the masses at the country's first FAIR Seminar.

Asia: Nat CATs, BI and fire are key risks for Asia - Allianz

Natural catastrophes, business interruption/supply chain risk and fire/explosion were rated as the top three business risks in Asia, according to the "Allianz Risk Barometer 2013".

Australia: RMIA in rebuilding mode

The Risk Management Institution of Australia (RMIA) is rebuilding and looking forward with confidence as they start to roll out their plans for 2013.

Australia: Claims from four CATs surpass US$690 mln, says ICA

General insurance companies have received more than 65,000 claims from four catastrophes, with insurance losses conservatively estimated at A$674 million (US$697 million), according to a statement recently released by the Insurance Council of...

Multi-peril policy may cover meteor damages, injuries

Damages and injuries caused by the meteor explosion last month over the city of Chelyabinsk, in Russia's central Ural Mountains, could likely be covered by insurance.

Dr Wolf Becke named 2013 John S Bickley Founder's Award winner

The International Insurance Society (IIS) has announced Dr Wolf Becke, retired Member of the Executive Board of Hannover Re Group (Germany) as the 2013 recipient of the John S Bickley Founder's Award.

Diary of Events

People on the move