Commercial
Ageas's François-Xavier Boisseau on avoiding the avoidable
Insurance is the business of helping people in their time of need but as François-Xavier Boisseau, CEO of Ageas Insurance, explains sometimes there are limits to what insurers can do.
This Week: Menace, manifestos and managing general agents
There is a menace in my house in the form of water. First it caused problems in my kitchen (as many of you will remember) and now it's found its way out of the bathroom.
JLT's Hamish Roberts on the tender trap
The vast majority of broker appointments are made as a result of an expensive tender process. Hamish Roberts, JLT’s head of business development, suggests a cheaper method that remains procurement-friendly.
More scrutiny on Luxembourg captives ahead
With increasing regulatory scrutiny, managing a captive can become challenging. Protected cell companies offer a practical alternative.
Interview: Conor Brennan, Zurich UK
Zurich has seen a seismic shift in the last year. A group-wide restructure also saw a reworked operating model in the UK, with commercial, general insurance and life businesses under a single leadership.
Legal Update: New technology risk in construction
Construction professionals using unproven technologies may inadvertently affect their professional indemnity cover if they fail to disclose all relevant information to their broker and to keep their insurer in the loop, warns Hannah Cane, partner and…
Updated: Markerstudy flagged as credit risk on Biba Litmus Test
Markerstudy has been flagged up as a credit risk on a ‘litmus test’ of unrated insurers by the British Insurance Brokers’ Association.
Blog: Underwriters need to know their knowns and unknowns
Underwriting behaviours can be embodied by three famous Donalds: Duck, Trump and Rumsfeld, observes Nick Dinsdale, portfolio manager at Covéa, adding that quantifying the known and unknown facts will help make informed decisions.
Biba 2017: GDPR will not have drastic effect on cyber insurance
The General Data Protection Regulations will not have as big an effect on cyber policies and the regulator may not enforce it as strictly as expected.
#BibaFever: B-B-Q: The UK insurance industry outlines how the UK can remain competitive post-Brexit
As the British Insurance Brokers’ Association Conference continued in Manchester today the Insurance Post and Insurance Age #BibaFever team went out to grill delegates about the topics that have been getting the tongs (sic) wagging.
Broker: Feeling exposed?
Many brokers’ professional indemnity policies contain exclusion clauses that limit their cover, leaving them and their customers exposed
BIBA 2017: The conference, as it happened
The British Insurance Brokers' Association held its 2017 conference in Manchester.
Towergate backers launch general insurance giant
Towergate backers HPS Investment Partners and Madison Dearborn Partners will consolidate Towergate with Autonet, Chase Templeton, Price Forbes and Ryan Direct to form a general insurance giant.
Blog: Brokers needn't fear FCA commission reforms
If the Financial Conduct Authority restricted gross rate commissions on finance arrangements, brokers could feel a painful blow. However, they could claw back income elsewhere, argues Ravi Takhar, CEO of Bexhill UK, urging them to bring the premium…
LV's Steve Treloar on learning from the independent broker
For years, there has been talk in the industry about the future role of brokers in the sector, Steve Treloar, managing director of general insurance at LV explores the issus.
Editor's comment: Surprise!
I probably wouldn’t make a very good insurer or broker as I love a good surprise and I deal quite well with change.
Interview: Brendan McCafferty, Axa
Brendan McCafferty joined Axa as CEO, intermediated and direct, in February. He talks to Will Kirkman about his new role
Claims: Providing a personal service
Brokers need to stand out in a competitive market and claims service is a way to make a real difference. Being there to advise, intervene – and to turn the heat up if necessary – can mean the world to a grateful client.
Axa transfers £600m historical liability book to Riverstone
Axa has started transferring its historical disease liability book of business to Riverstone.
Independent's joint scheme administrators announce first and final dividend
After delays last month, the joint scheme administrators of Independent Insurance Company Mark Batten and Dan Schwarzmann have announced a first and final dividend.
Blog: How to reduce litigation costs
Very few insurers effectively and proactively manage the relationship and performance of their panel law firms says Caroline O’Grady, partner at Coote O’Grady.
Europe: Insuring robots (and against robots)
Robots are becoming ubiquitous. Do we need specific insurance? And do they?
Profile: Neil Clutterbuck, Allianz
Neil Clutterbuck is the chief underwriting officer of Allianz's newly-established technical division. He talks about the immediate and long-term priorities for the business unit.
Brokers: The unbearable weight of regulation
Brokers are becoming increasingly frustrated with the Financial Conduct Authority, citing rising compliance costs and an overbearing regulatory regime as hurdles to growth and innovation