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
MoJ reports a tenfold increase in unauthorised CMCs being shut down
Record numbers of unscrupulous or unauthorised claims management companies have been shut down by the Ministry of Justice in the last year.
Aon reports 3% organic growth in American and international broking arms
Aon today announced its revenue increased 48% to $2.8bn for the second quarter of 2011 compared to the prior year quarter, due to a 42% increase in commissions and fees resulting from acquisitions, primarily that of Hewitt.
Danish government asks TRIA broker to review local terrorism capacity
US RE, the international reinsurance broker, has been selected by Finanstilsynet, the Danish Insurance Supervisory Authority, to conduct a study of terrorism risk reinsurance capacity in the Danish market.
JLT transformation programme exceeds expectations as profits and revenues rise
JLT has recorded a 9% leap in total revenue for the first six months of 2011 to 411.3 (H1 2010: £377.8m) and 8% rise in underlying trading profit for the same period at £76.1m (H1 2010 £70.7m).
Validus spurned in bid for Transatlantic shareholding
Transatlantic Holdings today announced that its board of directors has unanimously determined to recommend that stockholders reject Validus' offer to acquire all the outstanding common shares in the business.
Scor boss heralds "capital shield" after H1 nat cat losses
Scor has recorded gross written premiums of €3400m (£2900m) in the first half of 2011, up 4.4% compared to the first half 2010 (+6.7% at constant exchange rates).
Insurers uncovered 9% more fraud in 2010, according to the ABI
Insurers uncovered 133 000 fraudulent insurance claims in 2010 - 2500 every week - up 9% on 2009.
Jersey regulator rejects Solvency II
The Jersey Financial Services Commission has said that it has no plans to implement Solvency II measures in Jersey.
Gallaghers confident of exceeding $2bn in 2011 after Heath deal and strong H1
Arthur J Gallagher & Co today reported a 13% rise in brokerage revenues for the first six months of 2011 to $717.6m (£439m) (H1 2010 $635.2m).
AA premium index highlights rate increases are levelling off
According to the latest benchmark AA British Insurance Premium Index, the cost of both car and home insurance appears to be levelling off, with small falls in the cost of cover for young drivers and for home insurance.
Aspen records $128.7m operating loss at the half year
Aspen this morning reported a combined ratio of 105.0%, or 89.2% excluding catastrophe losses for the second quarter of 2011, compared with a combined ratio of 86.9% for the second quarter of 2010.
Santander latest bank to set asside PPI fund with Euros 620m hit
Santander today revealed a net profit of Euro 3.501 bn (down 21%), after setting up an extraordinary fund of Euros 620m in the UK to cover potential claims for payment protection insurance sold in the UK.
Esure confirms it has an "option" to increase stake in Go Compare
Results filed at Companies House in the last week have revealed that Esure Holdings has an option to increase it stake in aggregator Go Compare.
Allianz Re unveils new approach to crop insurance
Allianz Re's agriculture team is developing a new crop insurance approach which better manage Earth’s natural resources, the group announced today.
ING could be fined hundred of millions for breaking sanctions
ING is being investigated by US authorities for breaking economic sanctions against Cuba (Havana pictured), Iran and Syria, according to reports in Holland.
Ace reports 40% fall in net income
Ace has recorded net income of $607m (£370) in the second quarter of 2011, a drop of 10% on Q2 2010.
AI Claims on track to hit profit forecast despite downturn in accidents
AI Claims has reported that its trading profit in the financial year is in line with market expectations.
Ace reports 40% fall in net income at the half year mark
Ace has recorded net income of $607m (£370) in the second quarter of 2011, a drop of 10% on Q2 2010.
Lancashire to redomicile from Bermuda to the UK
Lancashire Holdings today announced that it plans to move to UK tax residency.
QBE raids Amlin for new European boss
QBE has appointed Patrick Coene as managing director, European Markets.
Aon claims the aviation market remains stable, with premiums up 1%
Aon Risk Services has reported that average lead hull and liability prices in the airline insurance market have been relatively stable so far in 2011, held in check by the low level of losses and abundant market capacity.
Fraudsters jailed for £100 000 insurance scam
A team of fraudsters who attempted to cheat insurers out of £100 000 have been warned by a judge that a message "must go out" that people involved in large-scale insurance fraud will receive prison sentences.
AM Best Europe recruits new MD
Stefan Holzberger has joined AM Best’s European business in the role of managing director, analytics.