JLT buys Jakarta-based health management companies

By: Sarah Veysey

Published May 14, 2013 - 9:31am CST

London-based brokerage Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group P.L.C. has acquired two employee benefits businesses in Indonesia.

CBIZ makes first acquisition of 2013 in Minneapolis

Published May 08, 2013 - 12:19pm CST

CBIZ Inc. said it has acquired Minneapolis-based Associated Insurance Agents for an undisclosed price.

Business Insurance BROKER BEAT Video: Keenan & Associates

Published May 08, 2013 - 6:00am CST

In this episode of Broker Beat, sponsored by FM Global, Managing Editor Paul Bomberger discusses industry trends pertinent to the West region with John Stephens, senior vice president, public agency property/casualty practice leader at Keenan & Associates.

Gallagher builds up U.K. presence

Published May 02, 2013 - 10:31am CST

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. has acquired Property & Commercial Ltd. in the United Kingdom from Barbon Insurance Group.

Unipol says Allianz, Axa, Zurich eyeing assets

Published May 02, 2013 - 10:00am CST

(Reuters) — Italian insurer Unipol Gruppo Finanziario S.p.A. has received 10 to 15 expressions of interest for €1.7 billion ($2.24 billion) in assets it must sell as part of a merger with peer Fondiaria-Sai S.p.A., the company's CEO said on Thursday.

Business Insurance BROKER BEAT Video: Horton Group

Published April 25, 2013 - 6:00am CST

In the latest episode of Broker Beat, sponsored by FM Global, Associate Editor Bill Kenealy discusses industry trends and issues pertinent to the Midwest region via Skype with Glenn Horton, CEO of the Horton Group.

AXA to buy 50% of Chinese insurer Tian Ping

Published April 24, 2013 - 9:00am CST

(Reuters) — Europe's No. 2 insurer, AXA, has agreed to pay €485 million ($633 million) to buy 50% of Chinese insurer Tian Ping, betting the country's fast-growing ranks of car owners will help turbo-charge its auto insurance market.

Brit acquires Maiden unit’s renewal rights, underwriting platform

By: Sarah Veysey

Published April 22, 2013 - 9:10am CST

Brit Insurance has acquired the renewal rights and underwriting platform of Maiden Holdings Ltd.’s excess and specialty unit, Brit announced Monday.

Ironshore buys 9.9% equity stake in Lexon Surety Group

By: Bill Kenealy

Published April 17, 2013 - 2:22pm CST

Hamilton, Bermuda-based insurer Ironshore Inc. said on Wednesday that it has purchased a 9.9% equity stake in Lexon Surety Group L.L.C., a Mount Juliet, Tenn.-based insurer that specializes in surety bonds.

Catalina completes $30.2M acquisition of KX Reinsurance from Tawa

By: Sarah Veysey

Published April 17, 2013 - 9:24am CST

Catalina Holdings (Bermuda) Ltd. on Wednesday announced it had completed the acquisition of KX Reinsurance Co. Ltd., which is in runoff, from Tawa P.L.C. for $30.2 million.

Hilb Group buys Virginia mid-market brokerage EPH

By: Joanne Wojcik

Published April 15, 2013 - 11:25am CST

As part of its ongoing strategy to grow through targeted acquisitions in the middle-market insurance brokerage space, Richmond, Va.-based Hilb Group L.L.C. has announced the purchase of Engle, Paxson & Hawthorne Insurance Services L.L.C. of Leesburg, Va.

Atlas General Insurance buys South Bay Underwriters

By: Bill Kenealy

Published April 12, 2013 - 11:48am CST

Atlas General Insurance Services L.L.C. has acquired South Bay Underwriters L.L.C. from managing general agency and surplus lines broker Bliss & Glennon Inc. for an undisclosed sum, Atlas said Friday.

Cooper Gay Swett & Crawford's Chile move

Published April 08, 2013 - 10:31am CST

London-based brokerage Cooper Gay Swett & Crawford Ltd. on Monday announced that it had taken a 100% shareholding in its Chilean operation, Cooper Gay Chile S.A.

IIABA-owned bank becomes unit of Connecticut Community Bank

By: Mark A. Hofmann

Published April 05, 2013 - 1:06pm CST

The Alexandria, Va.-based Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America said Friday that InsurBanc, a Farmington, Conn.-based federal savings bank founded by the IIABA, now is a division of Westport, Conn.-based Connecticut Community Bank N.A.

Arthur J. Gallagher buys N.J. broker Advanced Benefit Advisors

By: Matt Dunning

Published April 05, 2013 - 11:21am CST

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. said it has acquired Advanced Benefit Advisors Inc., a Cherry Hill, N.J.-based benefits broker.

Kaufman Financial Group acquires New York firm

Published April 03, 2013 - 12:59pm CST

The H.W. Kaufman Financial Group has acquired Global Excess Partners, a New York-based specialty insurance organization, Kaufman Financial Group announced Tuesday.

Willis acquires indemnity broker Prime Professions

By: Sarah Veysey

Published April 02, 2013 - 9:22am CST

Willis Group Holdings P.L.C. has acquired London-based professional indemnity broker Prime Professions Ltd.

Opinions vary on future property/casualty mergers and acquisitions activity

By: Bill Kenealy

Published March 24, 2013 - 6:00am CST

Opinions vary whether the property/casualty industry is poised for consolidation.

Transactional risk insurance demand up 41% in 2012: Marsh

By: Sarah Veysey

Published March 13, 2013 - 9:45am CST

Demand for transactional risk insurance increased by 41% last year, according to a report by Marsh Inc.

Insurance industry could see mergers and acquisitions uptick: Deloitte

By: Bill Kenealy

Published March 12, 2013 - 2:21pm CST

Market and economic conditions are favorable for increased mergers and acquisition activity within certain segments of the insurance industry, a report released Tuesday by Deloitte L.L.P. finds.

Risk managers can play vital roles in mergers and acquisitions

By: Rodd Zolkos

Published March 10, 2013 - 6:00am CST

Risk managers can play vital roles in mergers and acquisitions, potentially helping acquiring companies avoid unexpected liability issues and assisting target companies maximize sale value, according to a consultant who runs his own firm advising companies on the risk management aspects of deals.

Team approach reduces the risks associated with mergers and acquisitions

By: Rodd Zolkos

Published March 10, 2013 - 6:00am CST

A structured approach to assessing mergers and acquisitions that includes broad involvement by key business units can reduce the risks associated with closing deals, according to a risk manager who has been involved with many buyouts.

Business Insurance BROKER BEAT Video: Higginbotham & Associates Inc.

Published March 07, 2013 - 4:32pm CST

Business Insurance Associate Editor Bill Kenealy discusses industry trends and issues pertinent to the Southwest region via Skype with Rusty Reid, president and CEO of Higginbotham & Associates Inc. in Fort Worth, Texas.

Crawford acquires majority interest in Lloyd Warwick International

By: Mark A. Hofmann

Published March 07, 2013 - 1:56pm CST

Atlanta-based Crawford & Co. announced Thursday that it will acquire a majority interest in Lloyd Warwick International Ltd.