News
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.
Ageas provides weather warning service for customers
Ageas has partnered up with WeatherNet, a source of weather data and information, in a move to help its customers prepare for potentially bad conditions.
Torus adds senior members to European P&C team
Insurer Torus has made two senior appointments with the aim of strengthening its European property and casualty platform.
Torus completes double underwriting recruitment coup
Global insurer Torus has bolstered its European offering following the appointment Brian Byrnes as senior underwriter for property and Marco Sonntag as senior underwriter for casualty.
Sterling strikes renewable energy cover deal with Huber Dixon
Sterling Insurance has teamed up with broker Huber Dixon to provide renewable energy cover to its specialist household and commercial customer base.
Towergate MGAs announce new underwriting panels
Fusion and Towergate Underwriting Household have outlined new capacity arrangements for the next five years.
Beazley forecasts profit despite cat losses
Specialist insurer Beazley still expects “to deliver an underwriting profit in 2011” despite catastrophe losses.
Bennetts offers classified ads to bikers
Biker-only broker Bennetts is offering free classified ads on its website for private motorbike sellers and motorcycle dealers as part of a drive to grow customer loyalty and protect rates for its insurers.
Grant Thornton gives Sperrin top role
Grant Thornton has promoted Jon Sperrin to partner in its financial services group to lead general insurance services.
Direct Line claim response to riots was “exemplary”
Direct Line has reacted to Labour MP for Tottenham, David Lammy’s, criticism of the insurance industries response to the August riots.
Allianz boldly goes into space insurance
Allianz Global Assistance has teamed up with the International Space Transport Association to offer cover for space tourism and commercial space flight.
Blaser returns to Allianz
German insurer Allianz has appointed former motor head Roman Blaser as chief underwriting officer of global automotive.
Insurers combat fraud and risk with increased software investment
Worldwide revenue at business analytics software and services provider SAS grew 25% over this time last year, as insurers battle with increasing volumes of data, and protecting both profits and customers from loss exposure though fraud and risk.
Rural launches first equine delegated authority scheme
Rural Insurance, the agricultural arm of UK General Insurance Group, has launched equine insurance solutions.
Independent brokers urged to consider new network
The managing director of a newly launched broker network has vowed to offer independent brokers “the ultimate choice” in a bid to challenge the traditional model.