A new study released this month by worldwide consultancy firm Mercer has found that leading employers in the Asia Pacific region are continuing to adjust to the challenges present in their rapidly developing markets and have earmarked rising employee healthcare risk and demand for benefits as a particular concern going forward. Regional employers are increasingly recognizing the value of having a healthy,…

As November approaches, many of the world most prominent multinational insurers are releasing their third quarter earnings reports, the cumulative results of which could present some interesting insights on the future of the international insurance industry. Metlife, the United States' largest life insurance group, posted the most considerable gains this week. The New York based insurer announced…

Global reinsurer Swiss Re have added to their impressive international microinsurance platform this month with the announcement of a new three-year partnership with USAID to provide customizable, market-based insurance products for vulnerable communities throughout the Americas, Africa and Asia. Microinsurance refers to insurance…

American consumers who have noticed the dwindling number of private health insurance coverage options made available to them in recent years have perhaps had their concerns verified this week. A new report released by the American Medical Association (AMA) has found that four out of five metropolitan markets in the United States lack a truly competitive commercial marketplace for health insurance.…

Aviva Life Insurance Company Ltd, part of Aviva PLC, has announced to its brokers and agents in Hong Kong that the company will be cancelling its line of Aviva Global LifeCare products. The Aviva Global LifeCare plan is an individual international private medical insurance policy licensed out of Hong Kong SAR. In a recent communication to the Aviva distributor network in Hong Kong the company has…

There could be changes afoot in China's powerhouse insurance industry as the country's national regulator looks to address the capital position, debt, and other competitive issues amongst players active across multiple business lines in the market. Last week Mainland China's insurance regulator, The China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC), released a statement outlining tighter credit rules for…

Etiqa Insurance, one of Malaysia's largest composite insurers and takaful providers, is considering further merger and acquisition activity going forward to boost its business, both locally and overseas. Etiqa is a joint venture insurance operation that was formed in 2007 by a merger between Malaysia National Insurance and Takaful Nasional. The company is 69.05 percent owned by Maybank, with Ageas…

The aggregate mortality protection gap across 12 insurance markets in the Asia Pacific region has expanded significantly over the past decade, from US$16 trillion in 2000 to US$41 trillion in 2010, according to a new study published by global reinsurance company Swiss Re. Swiss Re's "Mortality Protection Gap:…

New research published by savings, investment and insurance specialist Standard Life warns that a substantial increase in inflation could cut the average spending power of a pensioner in the United Kingdom by over 60 percent when as they enter retirement, The UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported on Tuesday that inflation had spiked to 5.2 percent in September, a 20 year high, and well…

British United Provident Association (BUPA) have seen their overall revenues increase by 6 percent in the first half of 2011, overcoming the global economic downturn largely on the back of the continued strong performance from its expatriate insurance and overseas healthcare operations. Bupa now intend to build upon this momentum and further develop their international medical distribution network,…