Articles by Chris Wheal
Markel enters Germany with Anglo buy
Markel International has taken a 50% stake in Munich-based Anglo Underwriting with an option to acquire the remaining 50% by 2017.
Coversure opens in Swansea
Coversure has opened its third Welsh franchise, this time in Swansea, with former broker and Admiral worker Jason Lawrence (left in picture) heading up the operation.
NHS contractors must have insurance
Baroness Finlay of Llandaff, professor of palliative care at Cardiff University, has warned the government must force private health contractors to have insurance against negligence claims.
Willis Re names Cavanagh as CEO
Willis has promoted John Cavanagh, pictured, to CEO of its reinsurance broking arm Willis Re, succeeding Steve Hearn who was appointed chairman and CEO of Willis Global in December.
DAS recruits first ever COO
The DAS group has appointed Paul Timmins, pictured, to the newly created role of chief operating officer.
Law Assist revamps clinical negligence product
Arundel based ATE provider Law Assist, has revamped its clinical negligence product by combining the cover and benefits of three policies into a single policy called Clinical Justice Assist.
Motor premiums increase again
According to the AA’s benchmark British Insurance Premium Index the shoparound price for comprehensive motor insurance is now £971.40, a 5.4% increase, from £921.38, over the three months ending 31 December. The annual increase is 15.3%, from £842.69.
Munich Re suffers multi-million euro loss in ship disaster
Munich Re expects its share of claims from the stricken cruise ship Costa Concordia to be in the mid double-digit million euro range.
Chartis re-jig creates three world regions
Chartis is splitting itself into three major geographic areas: the Americas; Asia; plus Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Martha Gorman joins Dual Ireland
Dual Ireland has expanded its Dublin-based team with the appointment of Martha Gorman as development underwriter for financial lines.
Swiss Re names Michel Liès as CEO
Swiss Re global partnerships chairman Michel Liès is to replace Stefan Lippe, pictured, as group chief executive officer effective from 1 February 2012.
Chartis re-jig creates three world regions
Chartis is splitting itself into three major geographic areas: the Americas; Asia; plus Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Anti-metal theft bill debated this Friday
The full text of the private member’s bill to toughen the law on scrap metal dealers to cut the spate of metal theft has been published and will be debated on Friday.
Guernsey doubles new insurer licences
The Guernsey Financial Services Commission licensed 72 international insurers during 2011 - a 53% increase from the 47 approved during 2010.
Legal groups to fight Travelers PI refusal
The Law Society and the Solicitors Regulation Authority are to take on insurer Travelers over its aggregating of fraud claims and subsequent capping of a solicitors’ professional indemnity insurance policy.
BMW recalls Mini over water pump
BMW has issued a worldwide recall for 235 535 cars for two models from its iconic Mini range because of a suspect water pump that may cause fires.
Catvest launches energy risk model
Recently founded specialist risk modelling firm Catvest Petroleum Services has launched an energy risk model and industry loss index.
Costa Concordia claims could cost £1bn
Insurers could face claims of up to $1bn from the Costa Concordia cruise liner disaster making it the biggest marine loss ever, analysts have warned.
Swiss Re warns quakes remain underinsured
Swiss Re has described the cumulative effects of earthquakes over the past two years as “overwhelming” but says the world’s worst affected areas remain underinsured.
IBRC bankrupts Sean Quinn in Ireland
The Irish Bank Resolution Corporation has had Sean Quinn, pictured, declared bankrupt in Ireland after successfully overturning his previous bankruptcy in Northern Ireland.
XL quiet over stricken liner losses
Lloyd's insurer XL is keeping tight-lipped about its potential claims exposure as lead insurer for the stricken cruise liner Costa Concordia.
Gracey sets out charter for IFIC clients
One of Bobby Gracey’s first moves as the new CEO of forensics investigators International Fire Investigators and Consultants has been to draw up a charter guaranteeing services standards to customers.
Pallett to identify weaknesses at UIB
International reinsurance broker UIB has signalled an operational shake-up by promoting Steven Pallett, pictured, to the position of executive director, operations and administration.
Ink gains renewal rights for Adding 1 lines
Ink Insurance has signed an agreement with Adding 1 for the rights to renew their property, liability and motor fleet based business.