Commercial
In Series: Emerging Markets - MENA means business
Despite growing competition in the Middle East and North Africa from local providers, there are still opportunities for foreign insurers in the market
County Insurance boss lines up early acquisition delivery
Ambitious north west broker County Insurance could be in line to deliver on its five-year plan of landing ten acquisition targets ahead of schedule, with two early purchases expected to be tied up within two months.
Aviva eyes commercial improvements by dropping underperforming lines of business
David McMillan, Aviva UK general insurance chief executive, remains confident his firm can recover from a "challenging" year in terms of commercial business, following the decision to drop a number of underperforming lines of motor business.
In Series Emerging Markets: The importance of being experts
Despite the political upheavals in the Middle East and North Africa, the thirst for self-development and raised standards has continued unabated.
View from the top: New syndicates essential if Lloyd’s market is to thrive
As Lloyd’s tackles the thorny issue of distribution, perhaps a fundamental issue is that it must encourage the market to continue to rejuvenate by enabling the creation of new syndicates.
'Sticking plaster' Statement of Principles distorts flood insurance market
The Statement of Principles was never designed to be anything more than a "sticking plaster", according to James Dalton, head of property insurance at the Association of British Insurers.
Government warned it cannot 'duck' issue of poor being priced out of flood insurance
People on lower incomes could be priced out of flood insurance following the end of the Statement of Principles.
Renewing Statement of Principles will not solve flood cover issue, says Defra
The issue that confronts the insurance sector and government today is not the ending of the Statement of Principles, as renewing it would not solve the problem, but that underwriters are changing their approach to pricing flood risk.
Aviva bemoans 'challenging' UK commercial sector as CEO Moss heralds 2011 progress
Aviva's UK general insurance continuing operations saw a decrease in operating profit and underwriting result in 2011 to £540m (2010: £567m) and £129m (2010: £184m) respectively. This was mostly as a result of the reduced contribution from Aviva Re.
Comment: Mind the Watford Gap
Web-based technology means the Lloyd's market can afford to look beyond London
LMG extends electronic approach
The London Market Group has extended its electronic endorsements initiative to all classes of business. Brokers can send all endorsements in every class electronically, and insurers will be able to respond to them.
Editor's comment: Insurers must be socially mobile
Joining a party too late can be disastrous. Not least because the early attendees may have drunk the place dry.
Christchurch one year on: a forgotten city?
A year on from the earthquakes in New Zealand, while the Christchurch disasters may be slipping out of public consciousness, the work to rebuild the city continues.
Commercial Insurers: Global Compliance - Airmic's proposed database raises questions
With global compliance still a major concern for risk managers, will Airmic's proposed database soothe corporate clients?
A winning combination: interview with Paulino Fajardo and David Pollitt
Davies Arnold Cooper and Beachcroft merged in late 2011 under the DAC Beachcroft banner. Paulino Fajardo and David Pollitt discuss the tie-up and their plans for the future.
Journey through the dark: the effect of ABS on solicitors' professional indemnity business
The effect of the arrival of alternative business structures on solicitors' professional indemnity business remains unclear, with no indication of what's at the end of the tunnel.
DAS deal sees Bluefin network members provided with legal expenses product
Bluefin Broker Partnership Services has appointed DAS to provide a suite of legal expenses and emergency assistance products to its network brokers.
County Insurance hires law firm to advise on broker acquisition spree
The goal set by bosses at the County Insurance Group of buying 10 new brokers over the next five years has moved a stage closer following the appointment of Harrison Drury to advise on a regional acquisition spree.
Thomas charged with maximising Willis' $40bn global premium
Willis Group has appointed David Thomas as director of strategy and transformation within its global businesses division.
HSBC sells GI units to Axa and QBE
Axa and HSBC announced today they have entered into an agreement whereby the French insurance giant would acquire the bank's property and casualty businesses in Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico.
UK government flood cuts may see 'thousands' uninsurable
Thousands of UK businesses are at risk of becoming uninsurable inside three months if the government fails to meet the demands of disgruntled insurers.
UK Drainage Network scoops supply chain award
Independent drainage company the UK Drainage Network has received the Co-operative Insurance Claims Supplier of the Year and Supply Chain Collaboration awards at the RSA.
Swiss Re targets European marine with two new teams
Swiss Re Corporate Solutions has expanded its marine insurance footprint in Continental Europe through the formation of two dedicated underwriting teams in Zurich and Genoa, which will be led by Patrizia Kern-Ferretti and Andrea Cupido, respectively.
Government flood cuts could lead to 'thousands' of uninsurable businesses
Thousands of UK businesses are at risk of becoming uninsurable inside three months if the government fails to meet the demands of disgruntled insurers.