News
ABI welcomes OFT referral as GTA rate review leaves cost unchanged
The Association of British Insurers welcomed the Office of Fair Trading's decision to provisionally refer the study into vehicle repair services to the Competition Commission criticising the exaggerated costs insurers pay for credit hire cars.
Europe sees total GWP fall in 2011, but non-life premiums continue to rise
Total written premiums for Europe's insurers fell by 1.5% at a constant exchange rate during 2011, statistics published by Insurance Europe today showed.
RSA appoints new PL boss and finance director
RSA has promoted Jill White to personal lines broker managing director and Antony Erotocritou to finance director, personal.
Credit Hire Organisation boss discourages potentially costly Competition Commission investigation
The Credit Hire Organisation has said that referring the motor insurance study to the Competition Commission would be similar to using a "sledge hammer to crack a nut" and could cost millions of pounds to solve the "dysfunctional vehicle repair service"…
OFT to refer credit hire study to Competition Commission
The Office of Fair Trading has provisionally decided to refer the private motor insurance market study to the Competition Commission after finding that insurers were too "distracted" with lowering costs and pushing up rivals' premiums to provide…
Coversure opens Devon office
Coversure Insurance Services has opened an office in Ilfracombe.
Ingenie boosts underwriting as it partners with RSA
RSA is set to provide underwriting capacity to Ingenie to meet the increasing demand for its young driver telematics insurance cover.
FSA hits back at Solvency II gold-plating concerns
The Financial Services Authority has hit back at criticism that it is gold-plating regulation and adopting an "audit approach" to Solvency II, claiming it is ensuring that all the directive requirements are met.
ABI boss warns of unco-ordinated regulation rush in push to twin peaks
The insurance market has been warned that there is a "danger" of regulation being rushed through, as a number of unanswered questions remain in the run up to new financial regulation next year.
Giles rejects IPO, claiming 15% rise in 2011 operating earnings beats peers
Strategic acquisitions in 2012 by consolidator Giles could still rival those from 2011 by value, if not frequency, despite a renewed focus on organic growth, as it looks to bolster specialisms and close gaps in its geographic footprint.
Cobra takeover deadline extended as only Alto remains in the running
The protracted sale of Cobra, which has recently ended up as a one-horse race, has sparked debate among industry insiders as to whether networks represent limited appeal.
View from the top: How safe is your bank?
UK financiers are battening down the hatches as they brace themselves for eurozone write-down effects, warns Andrew Holman.
North of the border: Explosion prompts negligence test
In the recent case of ICL v Johnston Oils (2012) the question was this: when should the court apply the standard of care of the reasonable man, and when should it apply the professional negligence standard?
View from the top: From the outside looking in
Encouraging remarks emphasise that the good work insurers are doing must continue, says Barry Smith.
Opinion: No more 'softly softly' approach to reservation of rights
Reservation of rights as a default position can render it impossible for insureds to finalise annual results, says John Hurrell.
Market moves: A busy week for recruitment
Insurers were the most active recruiters in the industry this week, with Canopius, Mapfre, Zurich and Ace all welcoming new arrivals to their teams. It was also a busy seven days in the broking sector, after BGL, Giles, Miller and Aon made significant…
Four candidates win place on LMA board following 2012 election
The Lloyd's Market Association has named four successful candidates in the 2012 election for membership to its board.
Polish high court upholds Link4 judgment
Poland's highest court has upheld an earlier ruling that an advert for Polish motor insurer Link4 had caused offence to some parties but dismissed claims that it had misled customers.
Euler Hermes pulls cover for Greek importers amid euro concerns
Exporters shipping to debt-stricken Greece will not be able to obtain cover from Euler Hermes for the foreseeable future, following concerns that the country could exit the euro.
ISA 2012: Chinese cool on Western insurance brands and MNC employment
The outlook for the Chinese insurance sector continues to be attractive, but international players are challenged on many fronts, such as limited geographical reach and restrictions over the way they conduct businesses.
AA policyholders keep no claims discount in uninsured driver crashes
The AA's panel of insurers has agreed that the broker's policyholders will not lose their no-claim discount or excess following a crash involving an uninsured driver.
Italian quake losses to hit £560m
Estimates for insured losses from the Italian earthquakes could be as much as £558.5m, it has been suggested, after a second disaster rocked north west Italy yesterday.
As job cuts hit loss adjusters, firms commit to investing in future talent
The loss adjusting industry has had a tough few months but, as major firms have been forced to shed staff, they are also vowing to continue to invest in the people they have retained.
Buyers back industry preparedness for Eurozone fallout but fear claims
Insurance buyers have commended the UK insurance industry's preparations for a potential fallout if Greece leaves the Eurozone, but warned that the industry will be tested by major claims that arise out of a crisis.