According to the Provisional Statistics on Hong Kong Insurance Business for 2008 recently published by the Hong Kong Insurance Authority (IA), gross premiums for general insurance business increased by 11.3% to HK$27 billion and net premiums were up 12.3% to HK$19.2 billion, compared with 2007. 

Read More HK: Insurance Market Performance in 2008 and 2009 to Date

The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (“SFC”) recently issued a circular clarifying that insurers, corporate insurance brokers and individual insurance intermediaries are not required or permitted to be licensed by the SFC under the provisions of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (“SFO”) (Chapter 571 of the Laws of Hong Kong) to engage in promoting, offering or selling investment linked assurance schemes (“ILAS”) to the Hong Kong public (the “Circular”). 
Read More HK: SFC Clarifies the Licensing Requirements for the Promotion, Offering or Sale of Investment Linked Assurance Schemes to the Public

On 1 October 2009 the Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA) published three market communications outlining proposals on a variety of developments to its regulatory framework. Initially the proposals are only intended to apply to Class 4 and Class 3B insurers and reinsurers due to their high risk profiles. 
Read More Bermuda: The Bermuda Monetary Authority Publishes Market Communications on its Regulatory Framework

In our previous blogs on the Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) market, we discussed the Competition Commission’s Final Report published on 29 January 2009 (see our blog here) and the Financial Services Authority’s (FSA) response (see our blog here). 


Read More UK: FSA Unveils a Package to Protect Payment Protection Insurance Consumers

On April 26, 2004, the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (“NJDBI”) issued Bulletin No. 04-05 advising property & casualty insurers that they may use credit scoring in determining an insured’s rate provided that consumer protection measures are established, including, but not limited to providing rate, underwriting and classification exceptions for consumers whose credit information has been directly influenced by extraordinary life events, such as a serious illness, temporary loss of employment; divorce; or identity theft, to name a few. 
Read More P&C Insurers to Submit Copies of Consumer Notices in connection with Credit Scoring to New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance

Vice President Joseph Biden spoke yesterday at the NAIC Fall meeting taking place near Washington DC, and he used the opportunity to seek the support of state insurance commissioners for the Government’s proposals for national healthcare reform.

Read More Report from the NAIC Fall Meeting – Vice President Biden Addresses State insurance Commissioners on Healthcare Reform

The Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 (S. 2499) (the “Act”), signed into law on December 29, 2007, contains a new mandatory reporting requirement for insurers covering medical expenses. This advisory focuses on liability insurers, no-fault insurers, and workers’ compensation insurers. 


Read More Client Advisory – Mandatory September 30, 2009 Registration Deadline Approaches for Insurers Subject to New Medicare Reporting Requirements