Articles by Mairi MacDonald
New Aviva chief could prompt Asia push
Aviva may look to boost its 'sub-scale' Asian business given the incoming group chief executive's experience as head of AIG's Asian life operation.
MoJ proposes fixed recoverable costs for portal claims
Road traffic accident claims worth up to £10 000 will qualify for fixed recoverable costs of £500 under Ministry of Justice proposals for cutting legal costs for claims that fall within its RTA portal.
QBE replaces Ageas as commercial capacity provider to UK General
QBE has been appointed sole carrier for UK General's commercial insurance programme and its agricultural specialist business Rural Insurance.
Apil challenges MoJ portal plans
The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers has started a process that could lead to a judicial review into planned reforms of the Road Traffic Accident Portal.
Vela MD among redundancies
The managing director of Oval-owned underwriting agency Vela is among seven staff to lose their jobs as part of a plan to "simplify" the operation and secure its future.
US firm invests in Health Claims Bureau
Healthcare and risk management specialist Health Claims Bureau has signed an investment deal with US specialist Professional Disability Associates.
AMICE backs European Commission report on mutuals
The Association of Mutual Insurers and Insurance Cooperatives in Europe has praised a European Commission study into mutuals for highlighting their value in light of European economic instability and the financial crisis.
Willis Group moves to one IT platform
Willis Re has moved 500 of its international employees onto one single software platform for the first time.
Liberty to axe Irish jobs
Liberty Insurance is to shed 285 jobs in Irish offices on both sides of the border.
AIR: entire neighbourhoods hit by Sandy surge
AIR Worldwide has issued a report on the damage patterns caused by superstorm Sandy in the coastal communities of Rhode Island and Connecticut.
Biba broaches independence issue with Scottish brokers
The British Insurance Brokers' Association is talking to its members about how Scotland's insurance sector would be affected if Scottish voters choose independence in 2014.
Competition to heat up in housing market
Ernst & Young has predicted that the household insurance sector will produce a combined operating ratio of 95% in 2012, despite this summer's flooding and other variable weather throughout the year.
AIG brand is back, declares Benmosche
American International Group, has declared that AIG is once again the “go-to-market brand” of its global property casualty business, which had been rebranded as Chartis in the wake of its near-collapse in 2008.
Catlin GWP grows 11% as Sandy-hit New York office remains closed
Catlin reported an 11% increase in gross written premium to $4.08bn in the nine months to 30 September 2012 compared with the same period in 2011 (9m 2011: $3.68bn).
Hastings trials telematics offering
Hastings Direct is trialling a telematics-based car insurance product aimed at younger or inexperienced drivers.
Kwik-Fit backs Insurance Fraud Register
A quarter of insurers do not think the industry is collaborating enough to tackle fraud, according to Kwik-Fit Financial Services.
GAB Robins reports profit rise in 2011
GAB Robins' pre-tax profit increased to £2.14m for the full year 2011, from £1.56m in 2010.
Towergate dismisses Paymentshield speculation
Towergate has denied speculation that the firm is planning to sell its mortgage payment and insurance business Paymentshield.
Chubb HNW offering receives facelift
Chubb is revamping its high net worth underwriting and account handling teams in a bid to make its offering more relevant to brokers.
Chartis appoints regional head
Chartis has appointed a new regional manager for the Midlands and south west.
US sale talks continue, says Aviva chairman
John McFarlane has confirmed that discussions over the sale of the firm's US life and annuities business are on-going.
Aviva reveals 97% COR in steady results
Aviva's general insurance business delivered a combined operating ratio of 97% in the first nine months of 2012, in line with the previous year, excluding RAC.
Ageas to build broker brands as Groupama name phased out in UK
The Groupama Insurances brand is to be phased out of the UK marketplace following completion of the insurer's sale to Ageas UK.
Acromas in Deutsche Bank talks
The chief executive of Acromas is understood to have met his counterpart at Deutsche Bank to discuss his firm's options.