Commercial
Blanc to lead Axa's joint commercial and personal lines broker business
Axa commercial lines chief executive Amanda Blanc has been selected to head up the firm's new combined broker business, in a bid to strengthen capabilities and propositions in the intermediated market.
Beazley offers single piracy and war product
Beazley is offering owners of ships sailing in troubled waters the option to buy one policy covering war risks and piracy.
Insurers urged to use proposed Solvency II templates
The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority has "strongly" advised insurers to start using the proposed reporting templates for Solvency II as a basis to start the implementation phase.
Banks turn to credit insurance in Asian market
European banks operating in emerging markets are increasingly using structured credit insurance as a way of remaining active in Asian trade finance market and deleveraging their trade finance portfolios.
Flood defences need £20m boost in next 20 years, report finds
The government has been urged to invest £20m in flood defences after a report found that four times as many properties could be at risk of flooding in the next 20 years if no action is taken to prepare for climate change.
Mitsui recruits Zurich and Ace underwriters
Lloyd's insurer Mitsui Sumitomo is aiming to increase its share of the international liability insurance market following two underwriting appointments.
IAG to spend £66m on Asian market
International Australia Group has set aside £66m to acquire businesses in Asia in a bid to boost its gross written premium contribution to 10% by 2016.
Arthur J Gallagher buys MGA Contego Underwriting
Arthur J Gallagher has acquired managing general agent Contego Underwriting for an undisclosed sum.
Video on demand: Data enrichment - creating true customer insight and intelligence
Data enrichment affects every facet of an insurance business, and done well can play a major role in companies gaining a competitive advantage.
MMA executive director Plummer retires
MMA Insurance has confirmed that former commercial director Derek Plummer has retired from the company.
Flash flood hits Calderdale in Yorkshire
A West Yorkshire bridge was flooded for a second time on Monday.
BMS ups game in Australia with Aon Benfield hire
BMS has hired former Aon Benfield facultative broker Glenn Kerr to head up a push into Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.
'Unsettled' weather not over, RMS warns
The industry has been told to brace itself for further wet weather after a weekend of rain affected festivals and the Silverstone racing event in Northamptonshire.
BGL Group recruits five graduates
BGL has hired five new graduates in a bid to develop new marketing talent on its brands.
Miller completes double hire in US facultative property push
Miller has appointed former Arthur J. Gallagher property insurance expert James Venton, pictured, and former R K Harrison North American placement specialist Tom Morley.
"Devil in the detail" of pensions insurance scheme
Actuarial firm Barnett Waddingham has offered cautious support to proposals for an insurance scheme that would provide certainty for members of defined contribution pension schemes that they would get a guaranteed minimum pension at retirement.
Rural targets the south amid plans to double in size
Specialist agricultural insurer Rural Insurance has laid out plans to double in size within three years.
Liberty Mutual targets Midlands push following key hire
Liberty Mutual Insurance has moved to bolster its Midlands presence by establishing new underwriting capacity.
HSBC sells Irish legacy businesses
HSBC Holdings has agreed to sell two Irish legacy businesses to Bermuda-based run-off specialist Catalina Holdings.
Metal theft costs councils £5m, research reveals
Nine in 10 councils have been affected by soaring scrap metal thefts in the past three years, costing them £4.6m in 2010/2011.
Direct Line to activate emergency flood plan this weekend
Direct Line has lined up teams of property insurance advisers who will be deployed to flooding hotspots around the UK ahead of another weekend of predicted heavy rainfall.
220 jobs up for grabs at Aviva Ireland 'centre of excellence'
Aviva is undergoing an Irish recruitment drive following the news that the insurer is looking to fill 220 vacancies within its Galway office.
Analysts claim Aviva business exit could spark shares re-rate
Analysts believe Aviva’s decision to scrap 16 of its most under-performing business units is likely to prove “challenging” given market conditions, however success could result in a shares re-rate.
Further commercial SME losses reported in wake of flooding
The Preston-based Independent Group has become the latest regional adjuster to mobilise its teams across flood-hit regions, after it recorded a significant increase in claim volumes this week.