Europe's biggest insurer, Allianz, is worried about the role central banks may have played in an interest rate rigging scandal that has enveloped some leading international lenders, the insurer's chief financial officer said on Friday.

Captives are starting to feel the squeeze of market conditions, low-investment yields, and issues in the global-financial markets, according to A.M. Best, which reports that a composite of 209 captives it follows reported a decline in net income for 2011.

Insurers need to be fully aware of the processes direct repair shops have in place for communicating with vehicle owners.

PC360 recently visited the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety's Research Center to see its first commercial wind test. See what happens when the right precautions aren't taken.