Commercial
Spotlight on Reputation: Battered but not broken
The insurance industry's reputation has taken a bit of a battering, as the whole of the financial services sector has endured customer scorn. David Haigh looks at what can be done to turn public perception around.
Oamps acquisition heralds push into specialist schemes
Oamps has kick-started its plan to expand in the UK insurance market through the acquisition of new teams, after taking over Giles Insurance Brokers' life science business.
Spotlight on Reputation: Stop whispering,startshouting
Insurance brokers were shocked by research that showed a large proportion of people did not trust them. Rachel Gordon looks at the reaction, their relationships with clients and why brokers should start being more vocal about their value.
Loss adjuster launch by ex-SLS managers
Two former managers at Crawford & Company's specialist liability arm SLS are set to launch their own loss adjusting and claims handling service.
Penny black's insurance week
One could be forgiven for losing track of what's going on behind the revolving door at Aviva Towers of late, where the UK insurance giant has been hit by a spate of senior management changes.
Aviva heads back into telematics for fleet customers
Aviva is targeting 20% of its haulage and goods-carrying motor account as it re-enters the telematics market, seven years after its first attempt to launch the technology in the personal lines arena.
View from the Top: Clarity and consistency
Since its publication in March, the Mactavish report has attracted significant interest and was a frequent topic of conversation at last week's Association of Insurance & Risk Managers' conference. It produced some dramatic headlines with the contention…
XL opens second regional office in middle market push
XL Insurance has heralded a renewed push into the UK middle market with the opening of a new office in Birmingham.
Motor Focus - Fraud Unit: Opening Pandora's box
On the face of it, the suggestion of a police force funded by the industry to help fight fraud seems reasonable. However, Robin Reames examines if going down this path is really the right way forward.
Brokers warned networks no panacea
Moves by brokers to mitigate the effect of economic uncertainty by joining networks is likely to increase over the next few years.
Towergate staff join Gallagher
Gallagher International is set to beef up its underwriting operation after attracting a team from Towergate.
Bloodstock - Market Update: Dark horse
With race lovers flocking to Royal Ascot this week, Jane Bernstein reports on a bloodstock insurance market still hampered by soft rates and self-insurance.
Leader: Imitating excellence
'If it looks too good to be true, it probably is' — arguably the most commonly quoted old adage ascribed to Independent Insurance since its collapse in June 2001 and subsequent imprisonment of three senior directors. But, when those once closest to the…
Ten years on, liquidator admits there was an Indy rescue plan
The joint provisional liquidator of Independent Insurance Dan Schwarzmann has said Pricewaterhouse Coopers is hopeful that a scheme of arrangement can be agreed by the end of the year, a decade after he was first appointed to the beleaguered insurance…
Independent Insurance - 10 years on: Burned so Bright
17 June marks the tenth anniversary of the demise of Independent Insurance, the underwriter that was once the envy of rivals, but which ultimately proved the maxim ‘too good to be true’. Jonathan Swift remembers the finals days of the firm with former…
Burned so Bright: Independent Insurance — a journalist's perspective
Ten years on from its demise, former Post editor David Worsfold remembers Independent's launch at an airfield and other personal recollections of dealing with the insurer during its heyday.
First 70 brokers join Zurich Elite 100 club
Zurich has established a club for its top 70 regional commercial brokers.
Ten years on, liquidator reflects on Indy failure - Insurance News Now - 16 June 2011
Post senior reporter Amy Ellis outlines this week's major general insurance stories including how ten years on from Independent Insurance going into liquidation, PwC's Dan Schwarzmann is hopeful a scheme of arrangement being agreed by the end of the year.
Markerstudy acquires repair firm
Markerstudy Group has completed the acquisition of Tonbridge Coachworks Vehicle Repair Group
Belfor rebrands residential business
Global restoration company Belfor plans to rebrand its residential business in the UK as 3R Restoration.
Ex-Guy Carp MD joins BMS board
Former Guy Carpenter managing director Philip Campbell has joined BMS as executive vice president of its US-based operations and a member of its US strategy board.
Belfor rebrands residential business
Global restoration company Belfor plans to rebrand its residential business in the UK as 3R Restoration.
Zurich disposes of UK subsidiary
Zurich has announced that one of its non-core subsidiaries in the UK, Zurich Specialties London, will transfer its run off insurance business to Swiss Re at book value.