News
Irish Legal Services Regulation Bill gains approval
Alan Shatter, the Irish Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, has secured government approval for the publication of the new Legal Services Regulation Bill.
European insurance guarantee schemes should be part of EU-wide body
The European Union should fund closer cooperation between insurance guarantee schemes in all EU countries, the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority has said.
Solvency II announcement negative for some firms
George Crooks of Wolters Kluwer Financial Services, has commented on the Financial Services Authority revised deadline for Solvency II to 2014.
Legal profession fears “Tesco law”
The new rules that allow non-lawyers to invest in and own legal businesses for the first time have come into force today – but have not been welcomed by everyone.
Swiss Re corporate aims for top 10 commercial position
Swiss Re’s new dedicated commercial arm is aiming to be a top 10 player for brokers in the corporate market.
Axa names new recruit
Axa Personal Lines has appointed Mike Worne as an independent partner development executive.
Vienna Group announces managing board changes
The supervisory board of the Vienna Insurance Group has appointed Hana Machačová deputy CEO of Kooperativa Pojišťovna, to the board at a meeting convened by group CEO Günter Geyer.
Esure hires banker to prepare for IPO
Esure, the motor insurer set up by insurance entrepreneur Peter Wood, has refused to comment on speculation that it has hired Deutsche Bank and JP Morgan to prepare the company for floatation.
Questgates wins Barbican liability claims contract
Lloyd’s insurer Barbican has appointed loss adjuster Questgates to provide liability adjusting services for syndicate 1955.
“Landmark day” for legal industry
New rules that allow non-lawyers to be able to invest in and own legal businesses for the first time have come into force today.
Ageas secures Vauxhall and Chevrolet deal
Ageas is to provide UK Vauxhall and Chevrolet customers with branded motor insurance under a five-year deal.
Richard Davies wins Special Achievement Award
Richard Davies scooped the IFB Special Achievement Award last night at Post’s Insurance Fraud Awards 2011.
Run-off liabilities fall, but more slowly
KPMG’s annual run-off survey of UK non-life insurance, has shown that liabilities have reduced again in 2010 but at a slower pace than in the past.
APC brings in Wesson for broker push
Commercial insurance underwriting agency APC has hired Towergate’s Nicholas Wesson as a business development manager to support its expanding panel of brokers in the north of England and Scotland.
Zurich opens compliance database to the broker market
Zurich has confirmed it is to open its compliance and premium taxation database tool to the broker market.
FSCS should be part of EU-wide body, says EIOPA
The EU should fund closer cooperation between the UK’s Financial Services Compensation Scheme and similar insurance guarantee schemes in all EU countries, the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority has said.
Editor's comment: Quotas quickly quashed
Having responded to Business Secretary Vince Cable’s call to take the lead in addressing the gender imbalance on company boards, the insurance industry has resoundingly rejected the notion of quotas as a mechanism to tackle this persistent problem.
New Zealand faces mass withdrawal as earthquake claims stack up
Insurers and reinsurers could stop providing earthquake cover in New Zealand altogether, forcing its government to handle claims.
Axa wins multi-year commercial deal from Aviva
Axa Commercial Lines has taken a strategic step towards its £1.2bn GWP target by winning a three-year deal from Aviva, the incumbent insurer of 25 years, for commercial property owners, Bruntwood.
Focus on personal injury fraud means insurers missing the bigger picture
Law firm Beachcroft has warned that insurers are so focused on personal injury fraud they are missing large-scale credit hire scams.
Ace heralds international efforts as fraudster jailed
Ace Europe has trumpeted its international claims investigation system, following the conviction of fraudster Anthony McErlean, who was jailed last week for attempting to claim £520 000 from the insurer after faking his own death.
Axa Assistance eyes £40m target with launch of Rok replacement service
Axa Assistance has launched its own home emergency service, spurred on by the demise of Rok Insurance Services, in a bid to gain greater control over customer service.
Davies and Electra to head out on acquisition trail
The bosses responsible for acquiring claims management firm Davies last week, in a £60m deal, have vowed to pursue further growth with a variety of acquisition targets.
Airmic set to work with XL and industry on refined non-disclosure clause
Airmic’s non-disclosure clause, launched in a flurry of publicity in June, has kick-started a debate that could see it replaced by one drawn up by XL Insurance.