Commercial
Six more insurtech start-ups to watch in 2019 and into 2020
In the latest in his series of Insurtechs to Watch, Post content director Jonathan Swift casts an eye over six more start-ups looking to make a splash in the UK insurance sector.
Senior reporter's comment: Talking ‘bout your reputation
We talk a lot about reputation. Earlier this year, Post held its inaugural reputation event, which was attended by key industry stakeholders.
Interview: Sara Mitchell, Chubb
Sara Mitchell has recently taken on the role of divisional president for the UK and Ireland retail business at Chubb. She talked to Stephanie Denton about her faith in the UK market, the importance of understanding the risks insurers are writing and not…
Allianz commercial COR slips
Allianz UK has seen commercial lines underwriting profit slip in the first half.
Replacement cover for 30,000 former Alpha policyholders in jeopardy
Broker CRL had found a replacement insurer to take on almost 30,000 Alpha policies, but the potential suitor has raised “several last-minute issues” that are holding up a deal.
RSA to ‘remain vigilant’ on London Market business
RSA UK & International CEO Scott Egan hailed progress in the first half of 2019, but said the insurer will remain “vigilant” where it comes to its London Market business.
Blog: Government moves on cladding replacement expose insurers’ inaction
Since the Grenfell Tower tragedy just over two years ago, building owners have been removing and replacing unsafe aluminium composite material cladding from their high-rise housing stock across the UK. Joanna Grant, partner at Fenchurch Law, asks why…
IPT becoming government's 'golden goose' as income hits record high
Government income from insurance premium tax hit a record high of £6.3bn in 2018/19, up 7% from £5.8bn collected the previous year, according to an accountancy firm.
Arch beefs up Lloyd's presence with Barbican buy
Arch Capital has agreed to buy Lloyd’s insurance group Barbican.
Direct Line profit slips 10% in H1
Direct Line saw profit slide 10.2% for H1 compared to the first half of 2018.
Roundtable: Innovation in pricing: the need to adapt
As insurers innovate, those at the core of insurers’ pricing and underwriting strategies face a growing need to adapt. Post held a roundtable, in association with Sas, to examine what is driving innovation in pricing and what challenges those changes…
Nexus buys MGA Plus Risk Limited
Nexus has acquired financial and professional lines managing general agent Plus Risk Limited.
Sabre GWP drops in H1 from ‘intense competitive pressure’
Sabre’s combined operating ratio remained in its target of within the mid-70s range, while premiums shrank 7% in the first half of 2019.
Bupa's Alex Perry on prioritising mental health in the insurance sector
One in four people experience poor mental health each year, writes Alex Perry, CEO of Bupa Insurance UK, arguing that with a quarter of customers affected by the issue it's important that addressing mental health is a priority for the whole insurance…
Hiscox posts H1 profit of $168m, despite higher volume of claims
Hiscox has reported a profit before tax of $168m for the first quarter of 2019, up from a profit of $162.7m on the same period last year, despite a higher volume of claims.
Analysis: Impact of smart home technology on escape of water claims
In 2018 insurers dealt with 228,000 escape of water claims, at a cost of £617m – an increase from £529m paid out five years ago, according to statistics from the Association of British Insurers. With the rising cost of claims, can technology help reduce…
This week: Rolling in it
Thursday seemed an appropriate day for insurtech Hippo to announce the outcome of its latest funding round – with temperatures reaching 38°C in places, the urge to emulate the mud-wallowing tendencies of its namesake animal became more and more tempting.
More than half of global insurtech investment in Q2 came from four deals
Global insurtech investment hit $1.41bn in Q2 2019, with more than half of this coming from four transactions.
Date set for Covéa legal action as Scor CEO hails ‘strong performance’ in H1 2019
Scor’s property and casualty division has seen growth in H1 2019, while legal action against Covéa and its CEO and chairman Thierry Derez will continue in 2020.
Hiscox floats seized ship cover as Iran Gulf tensions threaten premiums
Hiscox has developed a product designed to protect shipping targeted by nation states amid warnings that escalating tensions between Iran and the UK and its allies could lead to higher insurance premiums.
Investment returns drive Beazley half-year profit as it strengthens cat reserves
Beazley saw double-digital premium growth in the first six months of the year, posting a pre-tax profit of $166.4m (£133.9m) largely driven by “exceptional” investment returns.
GRP buys Lancashire-based broker
Lancashire-based broker 3XD has hailed its “growth prospects” after being bought by consolidator GRP.
Axa XL names incoming Europe CUO
Axa XL has appointed Paul-Henri Rastoul as chief underwriting officer of its EU-registered vehicle, XL Insurance Company SE.
Analysis: Mitigating the risk of sexual harassment in the workplace
Over the past two years, awareness of how prevalent sexual harassment is in the workplace has reached perhaps unprecedented heights.