Insurance Journal’s Top 10 International Stories of 2019

Mergers & acquisitions led the interest of readers of Insurance Journal’s International section during 2019, with three of the top 10 articles covering M&A topics. This reflects a similar theme to that seen for 2018’s top articles.

At number one in 2019 was an article that revealed Aon Plc was no longer pursuing a merger with Willis Towers Watson Plc, only a day after the broker had confirmed it was exploring a tie-up. Another article, which was ranked number three, detailed the story behind the Aon-WTW deal that “died a quick death.” (See the list below for last year’s most well-read international articles).

Another M&A article of note was about Marsh & McLennan’s $5.6 billion purchase of Jardine Lloyd Thompson, ranking fourth in the list of top international articles.

Satellites were the topics in two of the top 10 articles. Ranking number two is an article that revealed a new crop of satellites will identify the biggest contributors to climate change, while number eight is an article describing how satellites found the first evidence of a link between two devastating Boeing 737 MAX crashes.

Two articles covering the fire that ravaged Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris were ranked fifth and sixth in the list of top articles. (Others on the disaster also placed in the top 20.)

The ongoing sexual harassment scandals, which hit the Lloyd’s marketplace and companies operating within the market in 2019, also made the list of the most-read articles – at number seven and number 10. (Other articles on harassment were included in the top 25.)

Rounding out the top 10 topics of the year is an article about the launch in May of a specialty broker, by insurance veteran Steve McGill, ranked at number nine. The story of another startup, Convex Group, which was launched in April by Stephen Catlin and Paul Brand, was ranked at number 14.

Based on readership metrics, here are the top 10 Insurance Journal international articles of 2019:

Other top articles (11 to 25) for 2019 include:

11. Rhine River Shipping Faces Another Historic Shutdown as Drought Hits Water Levels
12. 2019 Cyber Insurance Predictions: Strong Drivers for Growth Ahead
13. Norsk Hydro Cyber Attack Cost It Nearly $52M in First Quarter
14. Industry Veterans Catlin and Brand Launch Specialty Bermuda Re/Insurer Convex Group
15. Insurance Adjuster Reports 90% of Notre Dame Cathedral Treasure Saved from Fire
16. Allianz Forms Partnership with Microsoft, Aiming to Transform Insurance Processes
17. Architect Who Died 140 Years Ago Left Detailed Guide for Rebuilding Notre Dame
18. France’s AXA Insures 2 Notre Dame Contractors, Some Religious Artworks
19. Crash Victims’ Final Minutes Will Influence Financial Liability for Boeing, Insurers
20. Apollo Global Management Completes Acquisition of Aspen Insurance
21. Warning: Cyber Will Soon Cost Insurers More Than Natural Disasters
22. Lloyd’s Suspends Broker Over Harassing Email
23. 2 Execs at Lloyd’s Insurer TMK Forced to Resign After Sexual Harassment Allegations
24. Aspen to Place UK MGA in Runoff, Closes Dublin Office and Makes Executive Changes
25. Thousands Are Missing, Including Many Children, After Worst Hurricane to Hit Bahamas