Commercial
Bennetts strengthens commercial team with dual hire
Bike insurance specialist Bennetts has moved to bolster its commercial team with the double appointment of Ben Blake as senior commercial development manager and Michael Fasulo reporting into him as commercial development manager.
Stackhouse Poland completes LFC acquisition
Stackhouse Poland has increased its gross written premium "closer to the £100m barrier" with the acquisition of the business of LFC Insurance Brokers.
BLD appoints new partner in Munich
German law firm BLD Bach Langheid Dallmayr has appointed Joachim Krane as new partner as of 1 February 2013.
Lloyd's investment return improve in 2012 according to latest analysis
Latest figures from investment information specialist Camradata indicate improved performance for investment returns in the Lloyd’s market for 2012.
Willis: Cat bonds hit a new high in 2012 with 37% increase
Last year saw the second highest level of catastrophe bond issuance on record signalling strong growth in the market, according to Willis Capital Markets & Advisory.
Extreme weather conditions barely disrupt film insurance market
While floods, tropical storms and fires have generated extra claims for insurers worldwide, a Lloyd’s broker who specialises in film insurance says his firm has not perceived a rise in losses.
Sandy set to generate lengthy legal battles amid deductibles debate
Settlements over the first disputes to arise from claims relating to Superstorm Sandy are unlikely to be reached until the middle of 2014 at the earliest.
View from the Top: Steer clear of the C-word
Client retention can be improved by avoiding complacency and treating renewals like new business.
QBE introduces top-up commercial cover for European businesses
QBE has launched a top up commercial credit insurance facility developed to operate above an existing, non-QBE, primary whole-turnover policy.
Law Society warns unrated insurers are 'unknown quantity'
Solicitors have been warned to check the financial strength of an insurer and its ability to pay claims before purchasing their next professional indemnity insurance policy.
Ace boss Greenberg hails "growing presence" in Asia and Europe
Ace has reported a 76% increase in net income to $2.71bn (£1.72bn) in 2012 compared to the previous year (2011: $1.54bn).
Challenges and opportunities abound in 2013
Against the backdrop of a challenging economic climate and continued uncertainty over both the timescales for implementation of European regulation and varied national approaches to the adoption of it, European insurers face a number of critical…
Like the drugs trade, Cybercrime is not just a US issue
Last year, according to the Norton Cybercrime Report, global cybercrime cost an estimated $388bn. That's $100bn more than the cost of the global black market for marijuana, cocaine and heroin combined. And just like the world's drugs trade, cybercrime is…
EMEA commercial market to remain stable in 2013
The insurance market across Europe, the Middle East and Africa is expected to remain broadly stable in 2013, according to Marsh's Insurance Market Report 2013.
AIG acquires HSBC's French GI arm and extends Turkish footprint
AIG has entered a 10-year bancassurance agreement with HSBC Group to become the exclusive provider of non-life insurance products to the bank's customers in Turkey and France.
NIG updates e-trading platform with launch of 'The Hub'
Commercial insurer NIG has launched a full-cycle e-trading platform for commercial brokers, following recent investment in technology.
Aspen launches ‘plain English’ goods-in-trade policy
Aspen Risk Management has launched a worldwide goods-in-transit policy, which it claims has been written in ‘plain English’.
Towergate ties-up trio of acquisitions
Towergate has taken its total number of acquisitions so far in 2013 to three.
View from the top: This eternal quest is fruitless
Commoditisation has become something of a holy grail in the insurance market over the past decade. The shift from competition based on product and service feature differentiation, as well as perceived value, to one of undifferentiated price comparison…
Market moves: Busy week for insurers sees sector take on seven new recruits
Following a week of broker domination in recruitment, insurers have battled back in a big way with no fewer than seven headline hires at companies ranging from agricultural insurer Rural to Lloyd's syndicate Aegis London.
Revenues rise 42% at Hyperion
Hyperion has seen total group revenues reach £111m for the year ending 30 September 2012, up 42% from last year's equivalent of £78m.
Groupama extends range of small fleet product
Groupama Insurances has extended the range of its Optima Small Fleet product, making it available for well-managed small fleets of up to 25 vehicles.
DWF merges with Fishburns
Business law firm DWF and professional indemnity practice Fishburns will merge on 1 February.
Acturis launches free reporting dashboard for brokers
Insurance technology provider offers software that analyses the causes of business performance problems.