Insurance 27 February 2026 - 11 May 2026

Munich Re Profit Jumps 57%, But Shares Slide As Reinsurer Cuts New Business
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Munich Re Profit Jumps 57%, But Shares Slide As Reinsurer Cuts New Business

Munich Re’s first-quarter net profit jumped 57% to €1.714 billion, driven by a sharp drop in large-loss claims. The reinsurer cut April renewal business by 18.5% as risk-adjusted prices fell 3.1%. Shares fell as much as 5% in Frankfurt, hitting their lowest level since November 2024, as investors focused on weaker revenue and pricing pressure. Insurance revenue dropped to €15.018 billion from €15.811 billion.
May 12, 2026
Hannover Re Stock Drops After 48% Profit Jump as Price Pressure Bites
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Hannover Re Stock Drops After 48% Profit Jump as Price Pressure Bites

Hannover Re shares fell 2.25% Monday despite a 48% rise in first-quarter net income to 710.6 million euros, as investors focused on a 6.4% drop in reinsurance revenue and weaker pricing in property-and-casualty renewals. Risk-adjusted prices fell 3.6% in April treaty renewals. The company confirmed its 2026 profit target and reported a Solvency II ratio of 254%. Analyst reactions were mixed.
May 11, 2026
QBE Insurance Shares Slid After 11% Premium Growth — The Pricing Signal Explains Why
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QBE Insurance Shares Slid After 11% Premium Growth — The Pricing Signal Explains Why

QBE Insurance Group kept its 2026 outlook after first-quarter gross written premium rose 11% to US$9.2 billion. Shares fell 1.55% Friday despite reaffirmed guidance and higher premiums. Net catastrophe claims reached about US$300 million for the year to April. Investment income totaled US$500 million in the four months, with funds under management at US$36.1 billion.
May 10, 2026
Star Health’s Cheaper Insurance Bet Meets Claims Scrutiny as Payouts Jump
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Star Health’s Cheaper Insurance Bet Meets Claims Scrutiny as Payouts Jump

Star Health will launch two low-cost health insurance products for smaller Indian cities this fiscal year, aiming for Rs 24,000 crore in gross written premium by FY27. Claim payouts in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana rose 24% in FY26. The company reported Rs 911 crore profit after tax for FY26, with a combined ratio of 98.8%. A Kerala consumer panel faulted Star Health over a COVID-era claim denial.
May 7, 2026
Aviva And Legal & General Shares Slide As Jefferies Warns UK Insurer Dividend Trade Is Losing Its Edge
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Aviva And Legal & General Shares Slide As Jefferies Warns UK Insurer Dividend Trade Is Losing Its Edge

Jefferies downgraded Aviva to Hold and Legal & General to Underperform, citing concerns over capital returns and cash generation. Legal & General shares fell 3.41% to £2.46, Aviva dropped 2.42% to £6.12, both underperforming the FTSE 100. Jefferies set a 185p price target for Legal & General, warning dividends may fully consume surplus capital. Aviva’s price target was raised to 637p, but upside is seen as limited.
May 5, 2026
QBE Insurance Group Heads Into AGM Week as Climate Vote, Q1 Update Test Shares
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QBE Insurance Group Heads Into AGM Week as Climate Vote, Q1 Update Test Shares

QBE Insurance Group will hold its annual meeting on May 8, with shareholders set to vote on climate-risk disclosure resolutions opposed by the board. The insurer posted a 2025 net profit after tax of $2.16 billion and completed a A$450 million share buyback in April. QBE shares last closed at A$22.47, up 14% in 2026. Investors await a first-quarter update and guidance on premium growth and operating ratio.
May 3, 2026
IAG’s $1.35 Billion RAC Insurance Deal Hits Its ACCC Deadline Today
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IAG’s $1.35 Billion RAC Insurance Deal Hits Its ACCC Deadline Today

Insurance Australia Group’s A$1.35 billion bid for RAC Insurance faces a regulatory deadline Monday, with submissions due to the ACCC’s in-depth review. The deal would combine Western Australia’s two largest home and motor insurers. The ACCC is examining possible impacts on competition and repair services. IAG and RAC both say they remain confident and await the regulator’s decision.
May 3, 2026
Beazley Plc Deal Watch: SocGen Position Nears 10% as Zurich Takeover Clock Ticks
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Beazley Plc Deal Watch: SocGen Position Nears 10% as Zurich Takeover Clock Ticks

Societe Generale raised its stake in Beazley Plc to 9.43%, crossing the threshold on April 30, according to a regulatory filing. Zurich Insurance also increased its holding to 3.11% after buying 605,476 shares. Beazley shareholders overwhelmingly backed Zurich’s takeover, but the deal still requires court and regulatory approvals. Beazley reported 601.5 million shares in issue.
May 1, 2026
Beazley Takeover Takes Fresh Step as Zurich Crosses 3% Stake Threshold
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Beazley Takeover Takes Fresh Step as Zurich Crosses 3% Stake Threshold

Zurich Insurance Group has crossed the 3% voting-rights threshold in Beazley Plc as its £8.1 billion takeover advances, holding 18.16 million voting rights as of April 29. Beazley shareholders approved Zurich’s cash offer last week, but the deal still requires court sanction and regulatory approvals. Zurich’s offer values Beazley shares at 1,335 pence, above Thursday’s closing price of 1,275.5 pence.
April 30, 2026
Aviva Plc’s Next Test: Bank of England Takes Aim at Reinsurance Deals
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Aviva Plc’s Next Test: Bank of England Takes Aim at Reinsurance Deals

The Bank of England proposed raising capital requirements for UK life insurers’ funded reinsurance deals from about 2–4% to 10%, affecting firms like Aviva, Legal & General, and Phoenix. The PRA estimates UK exposure at £40 billion. The consultation runs until July 31, 2026, with changes proposed from July 2027. Aviva reported buying back 1.3 million shares for cancellation on April 29.
April 30, 2026
Aviva plc Extends Menopause Support to 675,000 More Customers as Health Cover Competition Tightens
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Aviva plc Extends Menopause Support to 675,000 More Customers as Health Cover Competition Tightens

Aviva will extend specialist menopause support to over 675,000 additional private medical insurance customers and families via its Digital GP service. The insurer bought 931,432 shares for cancellation on April 24 as part of its buyback programme. Aviva shares traded at 626.80 pence, down 0.32%, at 17:25 BST Monday. The company’s AGM is set for May 6, with a trading update and dividend payment scheduled for May 14.
April 27, 2026
Suncorp’s $2.4 Billion Reinsurance Shield Puts ASX Storm-Risk Trade Back in Focus
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Suncorp’s $2.4 Billion Reinsurance Shield Puts ASX Storm-Risk Trade Back in Focus

Suncorp Group secured a five-year reinsurance deal worth up to A$2.4 billion, providing A$800 million in annual protection against natural-hazard claims from June 30. Shares jumped as much as 10.2% Friday, reaching A$17.98. The company kept its margin outlook steady and expects fiscal 2026 natural-hazard costs to exceed its allowance by about A$250 million.
April 26, 2026
Aviva plc says accidental damage now tops home insurance claims as costs jump 63%
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Aviva plc says accidental damage now tops home insurance claims as costs jump 63%

Accidental damage accounted for 32% of Aviva’s home insurance claims over four years, with average claim values up 63% to £1,869 in 2026. Property insurance claims across the UK hit a record £6.1 billion in 2025, while average premiums fell to £379. Televisions made up 18% of Aviva’s accidental-damage claims. Aviva reports first-quarter results on May 14.
April 2, 2026
Aegon 2025 Profit Rises 15% as U.S. Move Gains Pace; AXA XL Names Michael Reynolds to Marine Post
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Aegon 2025 Profit Rises 15% as U.S. Move Gains Pace; AXA XL Names Michael Reynolds to Marine Post

Aegon reported a 15% rise in 2025 operating result to 1.7 billion euros and confirmed plans to move its head office to the U.S. and rename as Transamerica Inc. AXA XL named Michael Reynolds as head of marine, UK & Lloyd’s, and global chief underwriting officer for hull, starting in the third quarter. Aegon nominated Marco Keim to a.s.r.’s supervisory board, replacing Lard Friese.
March 27, 2026
Beazley Stock Price: Fresh Filings Put Zurich Takeover Gap Back in Focus
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Beazley Stock Price: Fresh Filings Put Zurich Takeover Gap Back in Focus

Beazley shares traded at 1,264 pence Tuesday, 46 pence below Zurich Insurance’s 1,310 pence cash offer, after major investors including Vanguard and D.E. Shaw disclosed updated positions. Zurich’s £8.1 billion takeover, announced March 2, includes a 25 pence dividend; Beazley has traded ex-dividend since March 19. Shareholder meetings are expected in April, with closing targeted for the second half of 2026.
March 24, 2026
Beazley Plc Share Price Drops 2% After Dividend Reset, but Zurich Bid Gap Stays Tight
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Beazley Plc Share Price Drops 2% After Dividend Reset, but Zurich Bid Gap Stays Tight

Beazley shares fell 2% Thursday as the stock traded ex-dividend, closing at 1,265p after Zurich Insurance’s 1,335p takeover offer was adjusted for a 25p payout. The 8.1 billion pound deal, announced March 2, gives Beazley holders 1,310p cash plus the 25p dividend. Regulatory approvals are pending, with a shareholder vote expected in April. The dividend will be paid May 1 to shareholders on the register March 20.
March 19, 2026
Aviva Share Price Holds Up After PRA Fines Direct Line Unit £10.6 Million
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Aviva Share Price Holds Up After PRA Fines Direct Line Unit £10.6 Million

Aviva shares traded near 625 pence after the UK’s Prudential Regulation Authority fined its U K Insurance unit £10.6 million for a solvency miscalculation in 2023–24. Aviva said the issue predated its July 2025 takeover of Direct Line and had already been accounted for. The penalty was reduced for early cooperation. The stock moved little, down 0.2% in mid-afternoon London trading.
March 11, 2026
State Farm’s $5B Auto Insurance Cash-Back Reaches Georgia: $135 a Vehicle on Average
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State Farm’s $5B Auto Insurance Cash-Back Reaches Georgia: $135 a Vehicle on Average

State Farm will pay nearly $279 million to Georgia auto policyholders as a dividend averaging $135 per vehicle, Georgia’s insurance commissioner said Tuesday. The payout is part of a $5 billion national dividend, the insurer’s largest, with payments starting this summer. State Farm cited improved underwriting and lower repair costs. The dividend applies to certain policies active as of Dec. 31, 2025.
March 4, 2026
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