Articles by Chris Wheal
45% of all FOS cases brought by CMCs
Claims management companies accounted for 45% of cases taken to the Financial Ombudsman Service last year, according to a report by the government’s financial watchdog the National Audit Office.
Liberty Syndicates to sponsor World Cup
Liberty Syndicates Brazil has signed up as an official national supporter of the 2014 Fifa World Cup.
Australian disaster claims total A$5bn
Australia’s eight natural disasters in 2011 cost general insurers approximately A$5bn (£3.4bn) – more than double the 2010 figure, the Insurance Council of Australia reports.
Groupama for sale after ‘grand cru’ year
Groupama’s UK chief executive officer François-Xavier Boisseau, pictured, has told staff in the insurer and its broker subsidiaries that the company is for sale after “unsolicited approaches”.
Bluefin recruits for Glasgow office
Axa-owned national insurance broker Bluefin has opened a new office in Atlantic Quay, Glasgow creating nine new jobs.
Ex-Garwyn, Crawford and Cunningham staff launch new claims firm
A six-strong team of casualty claims experts has founded a new London Market-based consultancy called Applied Claims Consultancy.
Marsh in energy and construction move
Marsh has named Frenchman Vincent Marrot as global leader, energy engineering and leader of construction engineering in its international division.
Mitsui Sumitomo to hit accident market
Mitsui Sumitomo at Lloyd’s has appointed Steve Ranzetta as class underwriter to target the UK and international accident & health market.
Capita recruits FSA’s Greg Carter
Capita Commercial Insurance Services has recruited Greg Carter from his role regulating wholesale insurance brokers at the Financial Services Authority.
Catastrophes could halve QBE profits
QBE has warned its profit margin could be cut in half by catastrophe claims.
Bradford top for motor premium rises
Bradford saw the highest increases in motor insurance premiums last with a whopping 17.1% compared with an overall average below 5%, Confused.com and Towers Watson claim.
XL may have $185m Thai flood claims
Insurer XL has said its preliminary net loss estimates from the Thailand floods could be as much as $185m.
Markel takes on two in MGA division
Markel International has strengthened its MGA division with the appointments of Sarah Brien as senior underwriter and Alex Hardy as underwriter.
Kane reshuffles after HSBC buy
Independent captive insurer manager Kane has taken more cash from its private equity backer to open new offices and has promoted former Aon Global Insurance Management head Clive James to chief operating officer.
Abbey promises profits despite tough economy
Abbey Protection is expecting to announce results in line with expectations despite the continuing tough economic background and low interest rates.
Extreme UK weather behind car claims increase
The storms that battered parts of the UK brought a 28% increase in car insurance claims over the first five days of January, compared with the same period last year, according to the AA.
KPMG get 97p in the £1 from Sovereign
Creditors of the Sovereign Marine & General Insurance Company scheme of arrangement will shortly receive a final distribution, bringing the total payout to 97% in what is seen as a success for administrators KPMG.
Reader to unite MMA and Provident
Covéa has appointed Provident’s managing director James Reader to the role of chief executive at the newly merged businesses of Provident and MMA.
BDO says insurers reduce large fraud
The finance and insurance sector accounted for 27% of reported fraud in 2011, compared with 56% in 2010, according to BDO’s annual Fraud Track.
IUA launches London training forum
The International Underwriting Association has launched an Education and Training Forum for London Market companies.
Liberty hires new risk management boss
Liberty Syndicate Management has appointed Dan Wilkinson as head of risk management.
Delta signs up fifth franchised adjuster
Franchise liability adjusting business Delta Claims Services has signed up its fifth owner operator, Tamara Hamilton-Thomas.
Brokers hit harder than insurers, says CBI/PwC survey
Insurance brokers’ profitability dropped back after an unexpectedly strong fall in the volume of business and value of premium income, according to the latest PwC survey for the Confederation of British Industry.
DWF completes Crutes merger
Law firm, DWF, has completed its merger with Crutes and says it plans to further invest in its Newcastle presence.