Commercial
Blog: How to mitigate agricultural pollution claims
Farmers are facing increased responsibility to prevent pollution and most insurance policies provide only limited cover in that area. However, specialist policies can now be taken, as well as practical steps to limit damage.
Europe: Aspiro ruling could increase VAT costs for outsourced services
Every so often a case emerges that threatens significant change to the insurance industry. The recent European Court of Justice decision in the case of Aspiro, a Polish claims handing company, has done just that.
Blog: 8 ways insurers are focusing on customer service
A lot is said about customer focus, delighting customers, and being a customer-driven business, to name three buzz phrases. Without the right approach, real effort, and supporting evidence, there's always a danger these are empty words.
Blog: Insuring devolution
The devolution of powers from central to local government and the resulting rise of super-combined authorities raise a number of issues and challenges for local authorities. Their insurers must be innovative if they are to manage these new highly complex…
Jelf's Phil Barton on why insurers must embrace diversity to thrive
The insurance industry has reached a critical moment: either we evolve and innovate to keep up with the pace of technological and social change, or we risk losing our relevance to clients.
Fire claims are getting more costly for insurers
Despite a continuing reduction in the number of fires, the cost of blazes is actually increasing. What can be done to educate the public about the risks involved?
Ageas sees GWP growth despite weather claims hitting profits
Ageas has seen its consolidated UK combined operating ratio rise to 100.1% for the first half of 2016 as a result of flash floods and storms in June.
R&Q announces capacity boost to £15m
R&Q Commercial Risk Services is boosting its long-term capacity agreement, which will see its total underwriting capacity increased to £15m.
Asbestos victims face difficulty tracing employers as Companies House seeks to delete records
Thousands of seriously ill workers and bereaved families could have their efforts to seek redress against negligent employers severely hampered under new plans to delete Companies House records according to the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers.
Compensation culture remains a challenge for insurers, says Axa UK’s Blanc
The compensation culture is still dogging the UK insurance industry and so the market must continue to price for it, according to Axa UK CEO Amanda Blanc.
Geddes ‘proud’ of Direct Line for Business as growth continues
Direct Line Group is putting ‘extra effort’ into its commercial business as gross written premium for Direct Line for Business increased by 8% in the first half of 2016.
Octopus Group acquisition paves the way for Verastar entry into insurance market
Verastar has acquired the Octopus group of companies in a deal that enables Verastar to enter the UK insurance broking and digital marketing sectors.
Video: Power hour - motor trade
Specialist motor trade brokers met up with Allianz to discuss the hot topics in the market.
Power hour: Driving change in motor trade
The motor trade market is evolving with the rise of autonomous vehicles, electric cars and changing consumer purchasing habits, but the sector still also has to deal with more traditional risks
Floods six months on: as claims are settled, how resilient are repairs?
The Association of British Insurers says 90% of December's floods are settled and it supports the introduction of flood measures in building regulations
Top 50 UK Brokers 2016: Creating the Top 50
Alan Leach explains the methodology behind the Top 50 UK Brokers and takes a look at the rankings in detail
Brightside Insurance loses deal with Co-op
Brightside has lost the deal to arrange taxi, van and mini bus cover for Co-operative Insurance customers, to broker Miles Smith.
Antares launches treaty casualty and appoints Everest's Jarman to head offering
Antares has launched its casualty treaty offering with the appointment of Neil Jarman as casualty treaty officer.
Digital: Snooping in the age of social media
The access that private and public bodies have to our personal data has been a continual point of debate in the electronic age and the current passage through the Houses of Parliament of the Investigatory Powers Bill is a case in point
Number of deafness claims falls after ‘unsustainable’ peak
The number of deafness claims tumbled sharply in the latter half of last year, reversing a growing trend that many viewed as unsustainable.
C-Suite - Insurer: Allianz's David Martin on the scourge of underinsurance
Poorly judged estimates in the SME market can leave customers seriously out of pocket when it comes to making a claim.
In Depth: Insurer messages get ‘lost’ as brokers lament lack of face-to-face contact
Gaps in insurer regional offices and head count reduction are affecting services, claim brokers.
Digital start-ups: Ready to launch
With a new start-up being founded every minute in the UK, the insurance industry has to meet the needs of this new breed of client.
NCI targets £1.2m GWP as it enters equine market
NCI aims to net £1.2m gross written premium in the first year from its first venture into equine cover.