News
Perkins Slade bolsters board from within
Broker Perkins Slade has announced three new Board appointments from next year. It is promoting Julia Harrop to be client services director, Mark Ford to the role of broking director and Aslam Ismail will become finance and IT director.
Amlin reports fast rising rates in Q3
Amlin reported gross written premium for the ten months ended 31 October 2011 was up 7.1% at £2 051.9m (2010: £1,916.6m).
Former broker boss launches new network
A former provincial broker is hoping to attract thousands of independent intermediaries to his newly launched network, after claiming the traditional model has reached “saturation point”.
RSA’s Brown promotes European focus as opportunity for UK brokers
RSA boss Adrian Brown has reassured UK brokers that the firm’s recent restructure of its executive team will have no negative impact on domestic commitments.
Merlin confirms approaches after refinancing
Loss adjuster Merlin has admitted to receiving “approaches from interested third parties” about acquiring the firm — just 21 months after it was refinanced by banks.
Stonepoint to reduce interests in Cunningham Lindsey and Lockton
Global claims management group Cunningham Lindsey and broker Lockton International are both looking at options that may see private equity giant Stonepoint Capital divest or reduce its interests in the groups, Post understands.
PSTF: Corporate technology rethink needed
Industry technology systems could become “obsolete” if companies fail to tackle information security fears, while corporate polices on device distribution and responsibility need an urgent rethink, according to expert panelists. The debate at last week’s…
PSTF: Digital channels set to dominate distribution
Insurers must embrace digital channels as the next dominant model for distribution, as the race to secure web-based connections with customers, partners and suppliers gathers momentum.
PSTF: ‘Outside-in’ approach needed to crack customer service
Insurers have been urged to adopt an “outside-in” approach to business in a bid to crack the customer service challenge and stand out from competitors – with chief information officers cited as best placed to execute this strategy.
PSTF: Customer experience: the new battleground
Providing a compelling customer experience will be the critical basis of competition for insurers in 2012 and the foreseeable future. This was the main message from Richard Edwards, principal analyst at Ovum, pictured, on managing IT strategy in an ever…
PSTF: Data protection telematics worries
Regulators must make a decision, stating where they stand on who owns the data produced as a result of telematics devices. Speaking at Post’s Strategic Technology Forum, Phil Ford, consulting director at Metaskil, warned that regulators need to consider…
Tottenham MP blasts insurer response to riots
Zurich has been forced to defend its alleged “woeful” response to the riots as small businesses fail to “fully understand” how to claim government funding.
Targeting young drivers pushes more insurers to switch to telematics
Co-operative Insurance is “on track” to have 10 000 customers signed up to its young driver telematics product, as Direct Line announces it too is targeting a pilot at this demographic.
News analysis: Admiral’s claims woes worsen as quarter three results revealed
Admiral’s market followers suffered a painful dose of déjà vu last week when the motor insurer’s quarter three results underscored its rising exposure to large bodily injury claims, and it warned full year pre-tax profits would be lower than expected.
Market moves: Setting the trend
Insurer MMA was the main recruiter this week, with the firm naming five new staff across its regional office network. The moves set the trend among fellow underwriters, with high-profile appointments at Groupama, DAS and for Markel’s fledging operation…
Website review: Beat That Quote
Web performance specialist Gomez looks at Beat That Quote's website.
Reid slams 'churlish' Hiscox following agency withdrawl
Bluefin chief executive Stuart Reid has accused Hiscox bosses of “throwing the baby out with the bath water” after the firm revealed it had cancelled its agency agreement with the Axa-owned broker.
Eiopa president urges caution on counter-cyclical tools
Eiopa president Gabriel Bernardino used his key-note speech at its first annual conference to urge caution with regard to the use of counter-cyclical tools in insurance.
Towergate reaches settlement with ex-employees
The two parties in the long running employment dispute between Towergate and two former members of staff now working for rival Hendersons is over.
Markerstudy recruits group underwriting director
Markerstudy Group has appointed Darren Doughty as head of taxi.
Stonepoint to reduce interests in Cunningham Lindsey and Lockton – Insurance News Now
Post reporter Callum Brodie outlines this week's major general insurance stories including how, according to market speculation, Cunningham Lindsey and Lockton International are both looking at options that may see private equity giant Stonepoint Capital…
Achleitner departs Allianz to join Deutsche Bank board
Allianz CFO Paul Achleitner is leaving Allianz’s managing board at the end of May to join the supervisory board of Deutsche Bank.
Motor insurers in recovery but face rocky road ahead
Underwriting performance among UK motor insurers looks set to improve in the year ahead following substantial price increases, however, despite predicted improvements it is not thought levels will reach breakeven
Japanese quake and Thai floods create double BI blow
Insurers covering Japanese earthquake losses are facing unexpected increases in business interruption claims from manufacturers who moved production and sourcing of supplies to Thailand, according to law firm Reynolds Porter Chamberlain.