Jonathan Swift
Content director, insurance
Jonathan has written and commented about the insurance industry since 1998 as a reporter, news editor, editor and content director at Incisive Media.
He has appeared on television speaking about topics as diverse as the insurance implications of Michael Jackson's death to the consequences of consolidation on motor premiums; and is a past winner of the British Insurance Brokers' Association journalist of the year and Association of British Insurers general insurance trade journalist prizes.
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Articles by Jonathan Swift
Former HSBC Insurance duo poised for £50m drive with motor start-up
A new motor start-up, fronted by a duo of former HSBC Insurance UK executives, has been tipped to make a major play for the broker market in the second half of the year, underwriting up to £50m of business by the beginning of 2013.
Affinity 2012: Other sectors can master brand stretch from GI
The life and protection market must learn from the general insurance market to promote itself as a viable brand stretch for affinity partners, according to Ageas Protect’s managing director.
Affinity 2012: Flexibility fundamental to future affinity wins not size and scale
The winners in the affinity space of the future are not necessarily going to be the traditional big players, but those that can best adapt to the changing buying patterns of consumers.
Watch now: Optimising pricing and underwriting data webinar
In an increasingly competitive insurance market, underwriters’ work is only as good as the data at their disposal.
Chartis brand to be dumped as AIG returns to P&C market in the autumn
AIG is to resume using the brand it dropped in favour for Chartis for its international property and casualty business.
Blog Post: Penalty heartache, Paul who? and private equity
There are some persistent insurance stories that are as predictable as England crashing out of a major football tournament on penalties.
Former Indie deputy MD Condon passes away
The former Independent Insurance deputy managing director Philip Condon, pictured right, passed away at the weekend aged 63.
Disagreement sees "house guest" Charman axed as ex-Axis chairman Butt reinstated
Axis Capital has appointed board member and former chairman Michael Butt as non-executive chairman of the board of directors, succeeding founder and former chairman John Charman.
Indian government outlines uninsured driver crackdown
Indian states have been asked to enforce third-party insurance of all vehicles.
CIRC outlines plan for private investors to own 20% of a single Chinese insurer
The China Insurance Regulatory Commission has revealed that an individual private investor would be able to own a fifth of a single insurance company, as part of new proposals.
Grupo Catalana Occidente enters motor insurance top five after Groupama swoop
Grupo Catalana Occidente and INOCSA have signed a binding purchase agreement to acquire Groupama Seguros y Reaseguros SAU, Groupama's Spanish subsidiary.
Don't delay: 2012 Insurance Fraud Awards deadline approaching
With 2500 new fraudulent claims detected each week, and many more going undetected, the fight against fraud is still a top priority for the insurance industry.
Equity renews motor insurance deal with HSBC's First Direct
Equity Insurance Partnerships has extended its affinity insurance partnership with First Direct, the banking brand which is a member of HSBC Group.
Ace swoops for top 10 Indonesian insurer to diversify reach into PL
Ace has announced today that the company and its local partner have reached a definitive agreement to acquire PT Asuransi Jaya Proteksi in Indonesia for approximately $130m in cash.
Insurance boss receives major honour for services to local insurance industry
Günter Geyer, chairman of the managing board of Wiener Städtische Versicherungsverein, has received the Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary.
Aetna launches new benefits product in Singapore after gaining licence
Aetna has received a licence to begin selling health insurance in Singapore for groups and individuals.
Chinese regulator gearing up to relax insurance investment restrictions
China's insurance regulator is close to outlining a policy which will expand and diversify insurers' investment scope, according to a report.
Indian regulator IRDA soft on rule defaulters, claims report
Insurance companies are flouting their "social and rural responsibilities" and the regulator, IRDA, lacks the will to punish them, according to a new report.
MGA Dual expands with new Austrian office
Dual Group, the underwriting arm of Hyperion Insurance Group, has announced that Dual Austria will open its doors in Vienna on 1 July fronted by liability specialist Hannes Puchner.
Indian health insurance market predicted to be worth $7.6bn by 2015
One in 10 people in India could end up buying health insurance products against the current 2%, according to a new survey.
Sri Lanka general insurance market grew 23.45% in 2011, says regulator
The gross written premium of Sri Lanka's insurance sector rose 18.5% year on year to Rs.66.2bn (£300m) in 2011, with the general and life insurance segments recording substantial growth, according to the Insurance Board of Sri Lanka.
Indian regulator outlines plans to speed up health insurance claims and increase age limits
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority in India has put forward a proposal to make it mandatory for health insurers to offer cover to people up to 65 years and settle all claims within a month.
Bangladesh reinsurer SBC inroduces liability cap
Sadharan Bima Corporation, Bangladesh's only state-owned reinsurer, has put a cap on its liabilities following a host of recent disaster losses.
Indonesian insurers told to prepare for life as non-profit organisations
State-owned Indonesian insurance companies PT Askes and PT Jamsostek have been asked by the House of Representatives to make preparations for their transformation into non-profit public institutions.