According to a study by the Bank of Russia on the financial accessibility for disabled persons, in 2018 "voluntary insurance services were used by 19.9% of the Russian population in general and 9.4% of disabled people, while compulsory insurance services were used by 89.1% of the population in general and by 97.9% of disabled people," the document says.

MUNICH Re is aiming for a profit increase of EUR 200 million to around EUR 2.5 billion for the current year, of which around EUR 2.1 billion comes from reinsurance and around EUR 0.4 billion from ERGO.

Nikolaus von Bomhard (62) was nominated for election to the MUNICH RE's Supervisory Board at the Annual General Meeting, on 30 April 2019, and also recommended to succeed Bernd Pischetsrieder as Chairman of the Supervisory Board.

Following a volatile investment environment and another costly year from natural catastrophes in which the market paid GBP 19.7 billion in claims (gross of reinsurance), Lloyd's has today reported an aggregated market loss of GBP 1.0 billion for 2018 (2017: loss of GBP 2.0 billion).

Youplus, a new life insurance company, will launch in the Czech and Slovak insurance markets in May 2019. Youplus will begin operation in the Czech Republic the first half of 2019 and enter the Slovak market in the second half.

RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. announced on March 22 that it has concluded the acquisition of Tokio Millennium Re ("TMR"). The acquisition was initially announced 30 October 2018 and the completion follows the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals.

On March 14, Saeima, the parliament of Latvia, adopted a set of amendments to the current MTPL system (OCTA). The changes aim to refine the present law of MTPL and eliminate the shortcomings in everyday practice. The amendments will enter into force 1 May 2019.

On March 27 the Italy Protection Awards were held for 2018 re/insurer activity in the Italian insurance market. The ceremony was to support the insurance protection development in Italy since 2011.

Vienna Insurance Group (VIG) published its 2018 annual report. The Group's overall result shows increases on premiums volume, profit increases and a reduced combined ratio.

10 years after its inception, the Romanian mandatory dwelling insurance system has progressed and PAID, the pool underwriting and managing the mandatory policies is a strong and financially sound institution. "We are currently managing a reinsurance program worth EUR 920 million, with a pool of excellent reinsurers, more than half of them rated AA+, while the company's solvency rate is of 220%," recently stated Nicoleta RADU, CEO, PAID.

UK motor insurers' profit margins will remain under pressure as insurers struggle to increase premium rates to keep pace with rising claim costs, Fitch Ratings says in a new report. It is difficult to put up prices without losing business as the market is highly competitive and price-sensitive in the UK.

"In 2018, the Romanian insurance market improved its solvency indicators", Cristian ROSU, Vice-President Insurance and Reinsurance Sector, ASF - The Financial Supervision Authority declared on Tuesday, 21 March, commenting on the financial results reported on the Romanian market last year.

In 2018, the share of the Russian National Reinsurance Company (RNRC) in total outward reinsurance of the Russian insurance companies amounted to 10% (vs 7.3% a year ago), according to a report by RNRC.

Applying the Estonian model for profit taxation (insurance companies will not be subject to income tax on reinvested profits) will boost development and growth, according to the General director of GPI Holding, Paata LOMIDZE, reported Caucasus Business Week.

In March 2019, Ukrainian insurer GUARDIAN announced in a press release that Lithuania citizen, Arunas SIKSTA, was about to acquire the company as a new shareholder, the insurer said.

Hanoover-based insurer TALANX reported impressive FY2018 results, despite heavy Q4 Nat Cat losses, as the company reported in a statement.

In January this year, 87% of total GWP was generated by voluntary insurance. The total market GWP increased by 40.8% y-o-y and paid claims went up by 10.9%, according to the National Bank of Kazakhstan.

In March 2019, FITCH Ratings affirmed Ukraine's Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at 'B-' with a stable outlook, according to the agency's official report.

UNIQA Group wants to completely withdraw its capital market investments related to coal industry. UNIQA Austria states that at the end of January 2019, its investment portfolio was already coal-free.

The Parliament of the Republic of Bulgaria appointed Boiko ATANASSOV as Chairperson of the Financial Supervision Commission (FSC) on March 15, with 134 votes in favour, none opposed or abstained.