Commercial
News review: 2 May 2013
A round-up of news stories from this week.
Cooter targeting brokers in Covéa commercial lines relaunch
Covéa is planning to corner the difficult commercial lines market by winning over brokers through building closer relationships.
Lords’ EL U-turn brings uncertainty and will lead to satellite litigation
Insurers have been warned they may face increased indemnity spend for employers’ liability claims, as legislation passed by the House of Lords last week in the form of the Enterprise & Regulatory Reform Act 2012 will require time-consuming and costly…
European court considered as Primo trademark battle continues
Primary Group-owned Qmetric is understood to be considering registering one of its insurance brand names with the European Union’s trademark after its application in the UK court was turned down.
View from the Top: Desperate measures
Brokers are engaging in some unwise practices as they struggle to cope in the difficult climate, says Dave Smith.
Top 5 European news stories
The top five stories from www.insuranceinsight.com over the past seven days.
Post Intelligence app brings insurance white papers straight to your iPad/iPhone
Post has launched a new free tablet and mobile compatible app that offers readers the latest insurance white papers straight to their iPhone or iPad with minimum fuss.
Risk Management: Adapt to survive
Professional buyers and the market that serves them have a shared interest in keeping corporate insurance relevant, yet changing circumstances are threatening its role and value.
Liberty Mutual promotes two in commercial property reshuffle
Liberty Mutual’s commercial business has shaken up its leadership in a bid to grow its regional property results.
Cooter plans to double Covéa's commercial lines book
Covéa has announced ambitious plan to grow its commercial lines operation, positioning the firm as a mid-market regional business.
Moody’s downgrades Towergate after patchy 2012 financial results
Towergate’s financial results for 2012 have revealed vastly divergent performances among its four main insurance divisions, ranging from a 24% year-on-year drop in earnings in its network arm to a 17% rise in underwriting earnings.
Editor's comment: Industry image problem enduring
Insurers face an uphill battle in trying to improve their public image at the best of times, and the latest round of job cuts and news of redundancy term changes at insurance giant Aviva will do nothing to help their cause.
Post Claims Club: Claims forms need a rethink to obtain honest answers
Insurers’ claims forms encourage dishonest answers from policyholders, according to Consumer Intelligence chief executive Ian Hughes.
2013 British Insurance Awards shortlist announcement at noon today
Today at noon Incisive Media insurance division editor-in-chief Jonathan Swift will unveil the nominees for the 2013 British Insurance Awards.
View from the Top: Eco plans must pass litmus test
Environmentally friendly buildings can cut down on CO2 emissions but at what cost?
North of Border: Golf swing sees liability fall to club
On 10 August 2007 Anthony Phee was playing golf with three friends on the Niddry Castle course.
Interview: Frank Pinder: leading the fraud fight
With US investigation specialist Global Options seeking to bring its zero-tolerance approach to insurance fraud across the pond, its president explains why regulation and professionalism are key to better detection
Market Moves: Ace, Bluefin, LV and Charles Taylor Insurance make new hires
It was honours even between the insurer and the broking sectors this week, with Ace once again leading the way for insurers with a couple of key hires.
Generali opens Global Corporate and Commercial unit
Operations have begun at Generali’s Global Corporate & Commercial business unit, a platform established to integrate insurance services for medium and large multinationals.
Affinity Partnerships: Finding the perfect fit
To achieve success in the affinity market, insurers must be careful to foster mutually beneficial relationships with the right partners and ensure they select relevant products
Ex-Chelsea trainee boosts sporting connection at Thomas Carroll
Thomas Carroll Group has snapped up former Chelsea Football Club trainee Geza Hajgato to take on the role of account executive within the firm’s commercial insurance division.
Barnett & Barnett reveals post-MBO rebrand
Barnett & Barnett and NBJ are rebranding as ICB Group from 1 May following their management buyout from IAG in December.
Post Intelligence - company profile: Catlin
Produced by Post Intelligence in association with Brook Intelligence, this comprehensive company report highlights Catlin Group’s strategy and operations.
From the Belgrano to Brighton: An insurance boss's lunch with Lady Thatcher
On the day of her funeral, Postonline reports the recollections of one senior industry figure's lunch with Lady Thatcher.