Articles by Martin Croucher
This week: Go Compare's car crash advert
Go Compare was criticised this week for an arguably tone-deaf advert in which its singing mascot was involved in a serious car accident.
FSCS to compensate 14,000 Alpha policyholders as deal collapses
Some 14,000 policyholders will be compensated by the government guarantee scheme after a plan to replace cover collapsed.
Admiral sees £33m Ogden blow in first half
Admiral has reported a hit of £33m from Ogden in the first half of 2019, with a total estimated hit of between £50m and £60m.
Ageas sees payout for refusing to gamble on Ogden
Ageas UK saw a £27.6m bounce as a result of the discount rate change, offsetting large motor losses for the half.
LV sets deadline for L&G GI integration
LV will complete the transfer of business from L&G General Insurance by the beginning of 2023.
LV eyes premium increases following £13m Ogden blow
LV has been hit with a £13m blow as a result of the Ogden rate, which the insurer said could push up premiums by 1%.
FCA sounds alarm over Instagram brokers
The Financial Conduct Authority has issued a warning over two brokers operating without a license via Instagram.
Lamp policies transferred to another unrated insurer
More than 8000 former home insurance customers of failed insurer Lamp have had their cover moved to another unrated Gibraltarian insurer, Red Sands.
FCA flexes muscles over unauthorised claims firm
The Financial Conduct Authority has named a personal injury claims management company as operating without authorisation.
FCA announces crackdown over treatment of vulnerable customers
The regulator has vowed to “take action” against insurers that do not treat vulnerable customers fairly.
GRP buys Lancashire-based broker
Lancashire-based broker 3XD has hailed its “growth prospects” after being bought by consolidator GRP.
30,000 Alpha policyholders to be moved to new insurer
More than 30,000 property policyholders affected by the collapse of Alpha have been thrown a lifeline in the form of alternative cover arranged by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
This week: Gaukward moment for insurers following Ogden change
It was around Spring when office chat turned to the trend of insurers bolstering full year accounts through claims reserve releases.
Hastings reveals Ogden rate hit
Hastings shares fell this morning after saying the Ogden rate change to minus 0.25% would result in a one-off £8.4m blow.
Ecclesiastical hauled over coals in child abuse inquiry
Ecclesiastical was forced to admit the advice it gave to the Church of England related to a child abuse claim could have been handled better.
Travel insurers must ‘signpost’ policies for vulnerable customers
Travel insurers will have to ‘signpost’ policies that have exclusions over pre-existing medical conditions.
Majority of disputed claim rulings are won by insurers
Insurers win two-thirds of legal disputes against their commercial policyholders when a claim is disputed.
‘Bad outcome’ for industry as discount rate revised to -0.25%
The government has set a new discount rate of minus 0.25% - a much lower number than the expected 0%.
Jon Dye replaces ‘tough act to follow’ Amanda Blanc as ABI chair
Allianz UK CEO Jon Dye has been named chair of the Association of British Insurers.
Ageas staff facing job losses to be offered roles with Autonet owner
More than 200 Ageas staff due to lose their jobs from the closure of the company’s Stoke-on-Trent offices could get to retain their positions after Autonet’s owner Atlanta Group agreed to take over the lease.
D&G plots growth following investment
Domestic & General has vowed further growth following investment from a United Arab Emirate fund.
Sedgwick buys US giant York Risk Services
Sedgwick has bought York Risk Services, one of the largest loss adjusters in the US.
Interview: Dominic Clayden, Motor Insurers’ Bureau
The newly appointed CEO of the Motor Insurers’ Bureau discusses modernisation, Brexit, whiplash portals, and Lewis v Tindale with Martin Croucher
Analysis: Charting a path through the ‘wild west’ of surveillance
Insurers still regularly use private detectives to investigate suspicious claims, despite the sector being largely unregulated. How are claims bosses navigating the potential pitfalls?