QBE European Operations

QBE Insurance Group is Standard & Poor’s ‘A+’ rated and is one of the world's leading international insurers and reinsurers, headquartered in Sydney, Australia. We operate out of 45 countries across the globe, with a presence in all key insurance markets, and are lead underwriters within our chosen markets, setting rates and conditions. For the year ended 31 December 2008, the company underwrote gross written premium totalling £6,025 million and held shareholders’ funds of £5,364 million.

As a lead underwriter in our chosen markets, QBE is known around the globe for its healthy appetite for risk and willingness to work flexibly in partnership with brokers and clients. From policy inception to claims settlement, QBE uses its market expertise to understand the particular needs of each client, tailoring solutions to fit. We do not believe that one size fits all or that we should follow what other insurers do and are always willing to take a view on specialist risks.

Standard & Poor's insurer financial strength and counterparty credit rating for QBE's main insurance subsidiaries is A+ (Stable). Fitch Ratings insurer financial strength rating for QBE's main underwriting subsidiaries is A+. Fitch has also affirmed QBE’s long-term credit rating at A and its outlook for all ratings is Positive. A. M. Best’s financial strength rating of the QBE Group of companies is A (Excellent).

QBE’s European Operations accounts for almost 40% of QBE Group turnover and operates out of 17 countries across the region, focusing on underwriting commercial lines business. Active in both the Lloyd’s and company market, QBE offers considerable diversity to clients and brokers alike, with eight product-focused underwriting divisions - Casualty, QBE Reinsurance, Property, Motor, Marine and Energy, Specialty, Aviation and British Marine.