News
S&P downgrades Scottish Re again as liquidity crunch bites
Troubled life reinsurer Scottish Re suffered another blow as Standard & Poor's lowered its counterparty credit and financial strength ratings on its operating subsidiaries two notches, to 'BBB-' from 'BBB+'. The ratings remain on CreditWatch with…
Equity rebrands its branches
Equity Insurance Group is to re-brand its national branch network.
THB appoints motor fleet broking manager
Lloyd's broker Thompson Heath & Bond has recruited Joe Hantson as broking manager of the company’s motor fleet division.
Oxygen recruits specialists to target PI market
Broker Oxygen, the Lloyd’s accredited broking operation of the London market intermediary, has today announced it is developing a portfolio of professional indemnity business with the launch of a new broking team of PI specialists.
US broker Lockton to buy Forbes IRS division in £86m deal
Alexander Forbes Risk Services is being sold by the firm's South African parent to Lockton International Holdings for GBP86 million. It was announced to the Johannesburg stock exchange this morning that Alexander Forbes International Limited (a wholly…
Hiscox adds HR consultancy to SME policy
Selected Hiscox business insurance policyholders now have free access to an HR advisory service from Businesshr, the online consultancy that offers a full range of human resources advice to SME businesses.
Quanta auditors quit, ineffective financial controls unveiled
Troubled Bermudian (re)insurer Quanta Capital Holdings has parted company with its accountants and has disclosed the results of an internal review of its financial reporting that has highlighted internal controls that the company describes as “not…
RICS renews St Paul deal
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has renewed the affiliate arrangement with professional indemnity insurer St. Paul Travelers.
Inventory package launched to save UK homeowners £44bn
Start up ThecontentsSafe, this week, launched an inventory service to protect the £44 bn worth of Britons’ home contents that it claims are at risk through underinsurance.
Converium backed by $250m LOC
European reinsurer Converium has announced that it has secured a $250m letter of credit facility available with immediate effect.
Lloyd’s approves new trade credit coverholder
Hollard Risk Partners has become an approved Lloyd’s Coverholder for Syndicate 2121 which is managed by Argenta Syndicate Management.
Allianz chosen as Endsleigh’s legal expenses supplier
Allianz Cornhill Legal Protection has been chosen as the preferred commercial legal expenses supplier for Endsleigh business insurance services.
Crawford acquires specialist adjuster SLS
Crawford has announced its acquisition of Specialist Liabilty Services, the specialist liability adjusting and claims handling company, which has more than 50 staff in 8 branches located across the UK.
Fitch still negative on PXRE
Fitch Ratings has maintained its negative outlook on troubled Bermudian property-catastrophe reinsurer, PXRE.
Folksamerica affirmed after sidecar probe
AM Best has affirmed its ratings of White Mountains US reinsurance subsidiary, Folksamerica Re after investigating the robustness of its Bermuda sidecar reinsurers, Olympus and Helicon.
Hitachi appoints new group finance director
Hitachi Capital, the mortgage payment protection insurance provider, has appointed Robert Gordon as group finance director, with effect from 1 October 2006.
PBS moves Davey upstairs and appoints new MD
Richard Pitt has joined Primary Broker Services as managing director with full executive responsibility for the company.
Fitch affirms Lloyd's rating
Fitch Ratings has affirmed Lloyd's Insurer Financial Strength rating at 'A'.
Network recruits again
The Willis Commercial Network has recruited its second new member in two days, as it signed up Hayway, a holding company of Bates General Insurance Services, Evesham, and Commercial Insurance Brokers, Alcester.
Equity wins affinity deal with bonmarché
Equity Insurance today announced a household and motor affinity insurance deal with bonmarché, the womenswear value retailer. The offering will be marketed under the name bonmarché Insurance Services and is exclusive to Equity.
Zurich's GI profit rises 29%
Zurich Financial Services Group has reported its half-year global profits in general insurance rose 29% to $1781m (£941.22m).
Insurance apprentices
Next generation
Appointment at Pavilion Insurance Network
Pavilion Insurance Network has appointed Kerry Browne as executive assistant to chairman and chief e...
FSA censorship blasted
Censorship is in force at the Financial Services Authority, after the regulator admitted it no longe...