The China Insurance Regulatory Commission has granted licenses to Chubb Corp. and XL Group to operate businesses in the country.

The protection and indemnity insurance market bounced back this year, up from negative earnings a year ago, thanks to the improved investment picture, but claims are eating into underwriting earnings.

The soft market is expected to continue unabated into 2011, but there are signs that insurers are beginning to hedge risks and become more circumspect about those that they accept, according to a group of experts.

Swiss Re said it has secured $106.5 million in coverage for natural catastrophe events for a three-year period through a catastrophe bond program placement.

Insurance brokers Brown & Brown and Integro recently announced several acquisitions in California and New York.

The protection and indemnity insurance market bounced back this year, up from negative earnings a year ago, thanks to the improved investment picture, but claims are eating into underwriting earnings.

Major insurance brokers are stepping up their game, delivering better service to their customers in a bad economy and surpassing the satisfaction rating of others who in the past would have been considered service leaders.

Ryan Specialty Group, LLC said its wholesale brokerage unit, R-T Specialty, LLC, has acquired OakBridge Insurance Services, LLC.