Post - 2010-06-24
Articles in this issue
Ebay signs up broker for affinity insurance pilot
Online marketplace Ebay is poised to seek a raft of insurance partners as it gears up to launch a financial services offering, Post has learnt.
Kwik Fit bidders close in on deal
The private equity parent of Kwik Fit Insurance is within reach of a deal to sell the motor specialist to a trade buyer, Post understands.
Canopius confirms KGM interest as Lloyd's deadline approaches
Canopius, the largest privately owned Lloyd's insurer, has confirmed it is in talks to acquire up- for-sale motor underwriter KGM, with the deal expected to be completed within a fortnight.
Regulatory reform will not hamper Solvency II
Financial Secretary to the Treasury Mark Hoban has denied suggestions the government's regulatory reform will hamper the UK's implementation of Solvency II.
Broker bodies want their say on regulator
Broker trade bodies have urged members to air their views on the regulation of intermediaries before the Financial Services Authority is stripped of its powers.
New regulator must understand differences
The insurance industry has claimed it must be distinguished from the wider financial services sector under the coalition government's widespread regulatory reform.
Ex-Fusion bosses outline MGA plan
The new managing general agency led by Fusion founders Kevin Pallett and Geoff Crisp aims to establish at least five offices as it gears up for its launch next year, backed by Bermuda-based insurance group Aspen.
Editor's comment: Travel's IPT headache
It has certainly been a busy few weeks for the chancellor George Osborne.
Rivals set to vie for Halliwells business
Law firm Hill Dickinson is understood to be considering buying the assets of rival Halliwells.
Moorhouse Enterprise
Welsh broker Moorhouse is to launch its first business under Moorhouse Enterprise, set up to support the next generation of broker start-ups.
Insurance Fraud Awards
The second annual Insurance Fraud Awards will be held on 21 October at the Grand Connaught Rooms, London, to recognise the industry's continued efforts to tackle fraud and encourage the spread of best practice and excellence across the sector.
Isis move creates 40 jobs
Validation and fulfilment firm Isis Claims Solutions is set to move to a new office as it looks to grow its headcount.
Questgates hires four
Specialist loss adjuster Questgates has boosted its property team.
Start-up seeks to aid genuine claims validation
An initiative that aims to help claims handlers make faster, informed decisions to validate a claim or pass it on for further investigation, has been launched by Stuart Dennis, chief executive of fraud management company TCF Corporate.
RICS director warns of property insurance age timebomb
The property insurance sector is heading for a massive skills shortage, Gary Strong, director of practice standards and technical guidance at the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, has warned.
Imperial extends validation remit to glazing
Imperial Consultants has expanded its validation and settlement offering to cover entrance doors and windows, garage doors, patio and French doors, and conservatories.
Interview - Gary Duggan: Creating a difference
With insurance one of the key strategic priorities for Barclays Bank, Amy Ellis talks to its managing director, insurance & investments, banking Gary Duggan about his plans.
Comment - Industry regulation: A massive eruption
The media slaughtered the insurance industry over the volcanic ash incident. Merryn Myatt explains why the sector needs to listen to the criticisms and make some much needed changes.
Equity World Cup competition - week three: World Cup cheer
Our World Cup competition continues, with more great prizes up for grabs — including an Ipad.
View from the top: The new watchword
Efficiency has become the watchword of the new government, as it looks for savings to combat the UK's budget deficit. The same watchword could be applied to businesses. While the likelihood of a double dip recession has lessened, we are still at a…
Postbox: Time to use hindsight
I read with interest earlier this week that, despite a decline in foreign travel, the number of available travel insurance policies has risen by 9.5% in the last year as new policies, covering strikes and volcanic ash cloud disruption, have come onto the…
Postbox: Training rules
I read Patrick O'Connell of Oval recently on the role of qualifications in promoting greater professionalism in our industry.
Round table - online customer experience: The evolving role of the insurance aggregator
Online insurance is now a massive part of the industry. Post gathered a number of industry figures together to discuss what drives a customer to buy a policy online or abort and seek a quote elsewhere. Jonathan Swift reports.
Solvency II - Cost V opportunity: A cost worth paying
After complaints over the amount of management time needed to comply with Solvency II and the costs associated with this, Rachel Gordon asks if the grumbles are justified.
Solvency II - proportionality: A sense of foreboding
After a promising start, Solvency II is increasingly being viewed as a heavy burden after proposals to gold-plate the rules and increase capital requirements. Neil Coulson examines its progression.
Environmental liability: Grasping the impact
Despite it providing the potential for conflict, Mike Marston asks why brokers have failed to fully understand the implications of the Environmental Damage (Prevention and Remediation) Regulations 2009.
Law reports: Law degree requirement deemed non-discriminatory on basis of age
This law report has been contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Law reports: Mesothelioma case underlines need for archive appraisal
This law report has been contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Law reports: Uninsurable risk means fire claim was defendable
This law report has been contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Career path - SME underwriting - Beyond examinations
David Martin explains how the role of SME underwriters is evolving and why a far broader skill set is now essential if the much-talked about professionalism is to be fully embedded.
Postscript - 20 years ago: Skuld makes offer to ferry fire victims
Looking through Post's back catalogue paints a unique picture from more than 150 years of insurance news, as this highlight from 20 years ago reveals.
Postscript - 10 years ago: No more acquisitions for Marsh
Looking through Post's back catalogue paints a unique picture from more than 150 years of insurance news, as this highlight from 10 years ago reveals.
Postscript: 5 years ago: Ex-Churchill bosses back Swiftcover
Looking through Post's back catalogue paints a unique picture from more than 150 years of insurance news, as this highlight from five years ago reveals.
Penny Black's insurance week
While many have tired of crooning ex-soldier-turned-popstar James Blunt, Penny was pleased to see that one insurer was giving him a boost as he desperately clings onto fame. RSA will be strapping Mr Blunt into a plane and flying him over London in an…
Post triumphs at Biba bash
Post has been acclaimed with a prestigious award and three 'highly commendeds' at the British Insurance Brokers' Association's 2010 journalist of the year awards.
RIIG share issue
Resources in Insurance Group, the provider of claims management and consultancy solutions to the UK insurance sector, has raised £190 000 with the placing of 44 444 444 new ordinary shares of 0.1 pence each.
Willis Kazakh branch is go
Willis has received official approval from local authorities to open a representative office in Kazakhstan.
Lloyd's appoints Jardine
Lloyd's has appointed Paul Jardine from Catlin Syndicate as deputy chairman of The Council of Lloyd's, following Ewen Gilmour's retirement from the position earlier this month.
RICS chooses Howden
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has appointed specialist Lloyd's broker Howden as its preferred UK professional indemnity broker.
Insurers seek to make up shortfall after hike in IPT
Insurers with policyholders paying by monthly instalments look set to be worst hit by the standard 1% hike in insurance premium tax, announced in Tuesday's budget.
Top 5 Post stories
The top five most popular stories on postonline.co.uk over the last week were:
FSA to probe Apollo leak
The Financial Services Authority is investigating the leak of Apollo's takeover approach for Brit Insurance.
Loss adjusters survey
Are your contracted loss adjusters up to scratch, or could you be getting better performance elsewhere? With your help, Post's sister industry insight unit, Insurance 360, is going to find out.
Low insurance uptake in NI attributed to state handouts
Government handouts for tenants in social housing without contents insurance could account for the low insurance uptake rates in Northern Ireland.
Ecclesiastical records rising metal thefts
The severity of natural disasters this year has led to a rise in the number of metal thefts and put 2010 on course to be the second worst year for the crime on record
Aviva raids Mitsui for corporate risks leader
Aviva has named Dipak Warren as head of its new corporate risk solutions division — almost eight months after its launch.
Keoghs praises H&S review
Law firm Keoghs has welcomed Lord Young's review of health and safety law.
CII London market award
The Chartered Insurance Institute has outlined its new qualification in London market insurance.
CFC hires a real Gent
Underwriting agency CFC has appointed Nigel Gent to the new role of products manager.
DAS adjusts ratings following employment claims surge
DAS is applying corrective rating increases to its family legal protection business due to a rise in employment claims frequencies, greater consumer awareness of add-on covers and legal costs inflation.
Marston quits Cunningham
Cunningham Lindsey is searching for an environmental services boss following Mike Marston's announcement that he plans to leave the business after six years.
RDT customer service tool
RDT has developed a software package that aims to help insurance claims departments tackle customer complaints more efficiently.
Jelf CEO optimistic asnew hires reap rewards
Jelf group chief executive Alex Alway has said the broker's investment in account executives has been key to growing the business despite recording a £616 000 loss for the six months ended 31 March 2010.
Britannia Rescue agrees two new brokers
LV's breakdown division Britannia Rescue has added two broker partners to its intermediary distribution network.
Co-op hands keys to Nash
The Co-operative Financial Services is to hand over its motorcycle insurance book to Carole Nash next month. Equity Red Star is set to benefit from the deal after being appointed by the latter, a long-term broker partner, to underwrite the 5000 policies.
Ex-Layton duo return
Layton Blackham founder Chris Blackham and former managing director Geoff Bradford are offering investment to general insurance brokers and managing general agents as part of a new venture.
Brokers Link chief exec
Insurance intermediary network Brokers Link has named Leonard Battifarano as its new chief executive.
Towergate sales day
Amanda Blanc, Towergate deputy chief executive, said its first annual sales day, held on 17 June, generated "tens of thousands of new leads".
Equity World Cup competition - week three: Broker on the ball
Neil Campling, Barnett & Barnett
Equity Word Cup competition - week three: Insurer in play
David Grant, deputy underwriter and head of distribution and operations, Equity Red star.
Post Magazine – 1 July 2010
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