Articles by Chris Wheal
Commercial lines hurt Allianz's Q1 COR
Allianz has reported UK Q1 gross written premiums up 6.8% over same period in 2011 and a marginally worse combined operating ratio of 97.1% giving the firm its 37th consecutive quarter with a sub-100% COR.
Administrators sell Hemel Hempstead broker Castle Personal to Taylor Francis
Castle Personal Insurance Brokers has gone into administration and its assets have been sold to Buckinghamshire-based broker and agent Taylor Francis.
More Than issues hay fever warning
Insurer More Than has warned that hay fever causes havoc on the road and is set to reach new heights this summer.
Biba renews Premium Credit finance deal
The British Insurance Brokers Association has extended its endorsement of premium finance scheme provider Premium Credit for a further three years.
Jelf boosts schemes and affinities team
Broker Jelf has strengthened its schemes and affinities team following the appointment of Rob Rees as managing director to develop its schemes proposition.
Hiscox extends PI to new professions
Specialist insurer Hiscox is unveiling five new professional indemnity (PI) products at the British Insurance Brokers' Association conference aimed at new professions such as interior designers and 'green' consultants.
Evolution to push Beazley's PI to brokers
Broker-only commercial underwriting specialist Evolution Underwriting is to manage and develop Beazley's professional indemnity portfolio for UK SMEs.
Sky adds Groupama non-standard motor
Groupama is to underwrite cover for modified, prestige and performance cars for specialist broker Sky Insurance Services Group.
Casualty & General opens London office
Gibraltar-based liability insurer Casualty & General has opened a representative office in London as part of a plan to grow the business in the UK, particularly its casualty account.
NIG's Moakes targets East Anglia brokers
Commercial insurer NIG is continuing to bolster its regional offices, recruiting Gill Moakes, pictured, from broker Scrutton Bland to be senior business development manager covering East Anglia.
Sabre's profits fall as claims rise 55%
Motor insurer Sabre has filed accounts showing gross written premiums for 2011 up more than 8% to £170.1m. (2010: 156.9m) but profit fell.
Haste reported not to want Aviva job
Former RSA boss Andy Haste, pictured, speculatively tipped to take over running Aviva after Andrew Moss' sudden departure, does not want the job, the Sunday Telegraph reported.
Quindell buys Simon Hall to run motor arm
Insurance claims outsourcer Quindell Portfolio has named Simon Hall as chief executive of its Quindell Motor Services arm having bought his firm, Simon Hall Associates, for £2.5m.
London-bound Aon backs Lloyd's plans
Aon Risk Solutions, the broker's global risk management business that is moving back to London, is supporting Lloyd's attempt to make London the world's insurance hub.
UK P&I Club warns of claims inflation
The UK P&I Club (the Club), one of the oldest shipping protection and indemnity insurance mutuals, has said its results for the year ended 20 February 2012 showed a surplus of $11m after a combined ratio of 97%.
Towergate bolsters Midlands management
Towergate has announced three management appointments to its Midlands broking team.
Lloyd's set out Vision 2025 to make London global insurance hub
Lloyd's has set out plans to become the major global hub for specialist insurance and reinsurance.
Aim Group moves to Broadstone Mill
North of England legal expenses provider and claims management firm Aim Group has moved to new premises at Stockport's landmark Broadstone Mill.
Jelf’s Carter move signals stepping up a gear on key insurer relations
Jelf Insurance Brokers has added Duncan Carter, pictured, to its insurance markets team as markets director in what it says signals a move to be more proactive with key insurers.
EU to force broker commission disclosure
The British Insurance Brokers' Association is warning that Europe could force mandatory commission disclosure on brokers by 2019.
London must alter loss of hire wordings
The London insurance market needs to address shortcomings in standard loss of hire wordings if it is to be a 'go-to’ market for this important type of marine business, the chairman of the Association of Average Adjusters has warned.
Axa UK and Ireland GWP grows 9%
Axa has reported that its UK and Ireland general insurance business saw gross written premium rise 9% to €996m (£800m) (2011: €916m).
Catlin GWP up 12% as rates rise across portfolio
Catlin has announced a 12% rise in gross written premium in the first quarter to $1,642m (Q1 2011: $1,465m).
Allianz promotes Daws in risk control
Allianz has promoted Stuart Daws to manager, risk control within its commercial division.