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Weekly Articles
Insurance Market
Insurer Returns Near Record 17% as Market Cycle Enters New Phase: Aon Analysis
Aon analysis of 120 global property and casualty insurers found that return on average equity reached 16.8% in 2025, the highest level since tracking began in 2009 and the fifth consecutive year of improvement. The report notes that the market cycle is entering a new phase with slowing premium growth and wider performance dispersion, urging carriers to convert recent profitability into sustainable competitive advantages through better capital allocation and capability investments.
Marco Capital to acquire Pro Global
Marco Capital has entered into an agreement to acquire Pro Global, subject to regulatory approval, combining it with PoloWorks to create a larger specialist insurance services business. The combined group will employ about 1,400 people across 15 offices and expand capabilities in underwriting support, claims, insurance management and related services for Lloyd's, London Market and international clients.
Reinsurance Market
BMS agrees sale of BMS Re US to Willis Re
BMS Group has entered a definitive agreement to sell its US Reinsurance division, including BMS Intermediaries Inc., BMS Capital Advisory LLC and the associated London-based US reinsurance broking team, to Willis Re. The transaction, for an undisclosed sum and subject to regulatory approvals, excludes BMS's UK, Latin America, Bermuda and Global Facultative businesses, which remain core to the group.
Consecutive price reductions at renewals to feed through to big four's earnings: Fitch
Fitch Ratings reports that Munich Re, Swiss Re, Hannover Re and SCOR achieved a record average return on equity of 21.5% in the first half of 2026, driven by strong underwriting results and investment income despite softer pricing. Revenue declined 2.7% as property and casualty business contracted, and the agency expects further pressure on earnings from successive rounds of price reductions while still forecasting the group will meet full-year profitability targets.
Large European Reinsurers Sustain Profitability Despite Lower Revenue
Fitch Ratings reports that the four largest European reinsurers achieved a record average return on equity of 21.5% in the first half of 2026, supported by an improved P&C combined ratio of 76.9% and strong investment results despite below-budget catastrophe losses. Revenue declined 2.7% amid softening market conditions, but the agency expects the group to meet full-year profitability targets by prioritizing margins over growth.
Litigation & Mass Torts
Amazon's New User Agreement Seeks to Curb Class-Action Suits
Amazon has reinstated an arbitration agreement and class-action waiver in its user terms of service, requiring most customer disputes to be resolved outside of court while still allowing small claims. The company removed a similar clause in 2021 amid privacy and other lawsuits and now says the change will provide a faster, lower-cost resolution option for customers.
Landmark Supreme Court Ruling Is Upending How America Moves Its Goods
A U.S. Supreme Court ruling has exposed freight brokers to negligence lawsuits over crashes involving contracted trucking carriers, raising the prospect of large damages as shown by a Texas jury's $604 million recommendation against CH Robinson and others. Brokers are responding by shrinking carrier networks, facing higher insurance premiums, and shifting business toward larger, better-documented operators amid ongoing legal uncertainty.
Meta Rejects Claims It Sought to Hook Kids to Facebook, Instagram as Key Trial Begins
Meta Platforms rejected claims by 29 U.S. states that it deliberately designed Facebook and Instagram to addict children for profit as a major federal trial began in California. The states seek large civil penalties and court-ordered changes to the platforms, while Meta argues there is no clear causal link between social media use and adolescent mental health problems.
State Farm Must Give Up Trade Secrets in Claims Lawsuits, but Under Court Review
The Alabama Supreme Court has partially upheld a lower court order requiring State Farm to produce confidential claims-handling procedures in a homeowners' roof dispute, while imposing tighter restrictions on how plaintiffs' lawyers may share that information in similar cases. The ruling is the latest development in ongoing litigation over alleged systematic underpayment of property claims by large insurers.
Teen Drops Lawsuit Against Meta, Google and Snap Ahead of Trial
A 15-year-old New Jersey girl dropped her remaining claims against Meta, Google and Snap in a California personal-injury lawsuit alleging the companies' platforms caused her addiction, depression and self-harm. The case had been selected as one of three bellwether trials scheduled for October in the larger consolidated social media youth safety litigation.
Commercial Lines
Aon Launches Sidecar X with $200 Million Capacity Secured
Aon has launched Sidecar X, a platform offering up to $200 million in dedicated capacity for representations and warranties and tax insurance products exclusively to its clients. The solution uses pre-agreed underwriting and claims frameworks to streamline transactions and provide a 10% premium discount across multiple regions.
HDI Global reported an 8% rise in insurance service result to EUR 465 million for the first half of 2026, with insurance revenue stable at EUR 5.0 billion and a combined ratio improving to 90.7%. Large loss payments fell below budget while net income contribution rose 7% to EUR 292 million, supported by disciplined underwriting and higher investment income.
Lockton Launches U.S. Aviation Practice to Support Clients Across Evolving Risk Landscape | Lockton
Lockton has launched a dedicated U.S. Aviation Practice to help aviation and aerospace clients manage complex operational, regulatory and insurance risks, aligning specialists across its national and global network. Taylor Anderson has been appointed U.S. Aviation Practice Leader to oversee the platform and expand specialized risk advisory and placement services.
Banyan Risk has launched a new US Inland Marine and Marine Property product line in partnership with Accredited Insurance Limited, targeting construction, logistics, transportation and related risks across all 50 states. Darren Hamman has been appointed Chief Underwriting Officer for Property & Inland Marine to lead the new offering as the specialty MGA expands its multi-line platform.
W. R. Berkley Corporation - W. R. Berkley Corporation Forms Berkley Meridian
W. R. Berkley Corporation has formed Berkley Meridian by combining Verus Specialty Insurance and Vela Insurance Services into a broader specialty insurance platform focused on the excess and surplus wholesale broker market. Marlo M. Morrison has been named president of the new business, which will integrate underwriting capabilities across construction, professional liability, garage, casualty and other specialty lines.
Emerging Risks & Technologies
Kids Keep Getting Hurt and Killed on E-bikes. Should Parents Be Held Responsible?
Rising traumatic injuries and deaths among children on e-bikes and other electrified vehicles have prompted some prosecutors to pursue criminal charges against parents while cities and states introduce new age, licensing and sales restrictions. Officials and advocates debate whether the measures adequately target higher-powered vehicles marketed as e-bikes or risk over-regulating safer, lower-powered models amid a patchwork of local laws.
Munich Re Group to Acquire Cyber Insurtech At-Bay
Munich Re Group has agreed to acquire U.S. cyber insurtech At-Bay at an enterprise value of $575 million, with the business to be overseen by Hartford Steam Boiler. The deal aims to strengthen Munich Re's cyber capabilities by combining At-Bay's integrated insurance and cybersecurity platform for SMEs with HSB's underwriting expertise, subject to regulatory approvals and expected to close in the first quarter of 2027.
Report Documents Growing Silicosis Epidemic Among Quartz Countertop Workers
A new report documents 592 cases of silicosis among California quartz countertop fabrication workers from 2019 to mid-2026, including 65 lung transplants and 31 deaths, with cases rising rapidly among relatively young workers after short exposure periods. The authors call for stronger national surveillance, earlier diagnosis, and policy measures to protect workers from this preventable occupational lung disease linked to high-silica engineered stone.
People Moves
Aon Announces CFO Transition - Aug 17, 2026
Aon has announced that Edmund Reese will step down as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer effective immediately to pursue opportunities outside the firm, with Nadin Virani appointed as Interim CFO. Reese will serve as a senior advisor through August 2027 to support the transition, while Aon conducts a search for a permanent CFO and reaffirms its full-year 2026 financial guidance.
Aon has appointed Doug Hammond as Global Executive Chairman of its middle market segment, including NFP, while Mike Schneider becomes CEO, Ethan Foxman President and Mike James Chief Growth Officer of the Middle Market for North America. Mike Goldman and Ed O'Malley have been named Vice Chairmen of NFP as part of the leadership transition to support the firm's middle market strategy.
AXIS Capital has appointed Jim Rhyner as Head of North America Financial Lines, Programs, and Canada, effective August 31, succeeding the retiring John Van Decker. Rhyner joins from The Hartford, where he most recently served as Global Head of Financial Lines, and will report to the Head of North America.
Conduit Re appoints Anthony Mongiello as Chief Operating Officer - Haggie Partners
Conduit Re has appointed Anthony Mongiello as Chief Operating Officer with immediate effect, succeeding the retired Stuart Quinlan. Mongiello joins from Aspen, where he served as COO for the reinsurance and capital markets businesses, and will oversee operations, IT, underwriting operations and claims.
Conduit Holding appoints chief financial officer - Haggie Partners
Conduit Holdings has appointed Mark Pickering as Chief Financial Officer effective 30 November 2026, succeeding Elaine Whelan who will retire at the end of September. Pickering joins from Aspen Insurance Holdings, where he served as Group CFO and played a key role in its IPO and subsequent acquisition by Sompo.
EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants Announces Strategic Leadership Promotions
EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants has announced strategic leadership promotions, including Thomas O'Neil as vice chairman and Phil Moyles and Gregg Bundschuh as co-presidents. The changes align oversight with the firm's expanding specialty platform and long-term growth strategy across regional operations, financial services, organic growth and specialty programs.
Guy Carpenter announces global property and casualty leadership appointments
Guy Carpenter has appointed David Duffy as Global Property Leader and Chris Ross as Global Casualty Leader, effective immediately. Both executives, each with more than 25 years of experience at the firm, will report to the CEO of North America and focus on delivering risk transfer solutions and leveraging global data insights for clients.
Kerry Vitolano joins AXA XL as Head of East USRM and Head of USRM
AXA XL has appointed Kerry Vitolano as Head of East, US Risk Management and Head of US Risk Management, based in New York and reporting to the Chief Underwriting Officer, Casualty in the Americas. Vitolano joins from AIG, where she managed loss-sensitive primary casualty business, and will focus on expanding the company's casualty portfolio and strengthening broker partnerships.
Marsh Names Gulati-Kapoor Chief Claims Officer
Marsh has appointed Chetna Gulati-Kapoor as global chief claims officer for Marsh Risk, effective September 1. Based in London, she will report to the president of global placement and succeed Rob Powell, who moves to chairman of global claims.
MSIG USA Appoints Carrie Brodzinski as Chief Underwriting Officer
MSIG USA has appointed Carrie Brodzinski as chief underwriting officer, bringing nearly 30 years of specialty underwriting and leadership experience from roles at The Hartford, AXA XL and AIG. In the role she will lead enterprise underwriting strategy, portfolio management and the continued development of the company's data and technology capabilities as it expands its U.S. specialty business.
QBE appoints Jack Norman as Director of Financial Lines - QBE European Operations
QBE has appointed Jack Norman as Director of Financial Lines for its International Markets portfolio, effective from September, succeeding Jamie Thompson. Norman, who joined QBE in 2012 and most recently served as Head of Technical & Business Performance, will be based in London and report to the Executive Director of International Markets.
QBE appoints new global data centre lead | QBE Insurance Group
QBE Insurance has appointed Jamie Thompson as Global Director of Data Centres, a newly created role focused on developing an integrated insurance proposition for the rapidly growing data center sector. Thompson, previously head of Financial Lines for QBE's International Markets and a 20-year company veteran, will coordinate underwriting, risk engineering, claims and distribution expertise to address evolving risks driven by AI and cloud demand.
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