News
Aon names aviation head
Aon Risk Solutions (ARS) has appointed David Boyle as head of the aviation team Asia Pacific (Apac) region.
Munich Re and Oxygen offer IP cover
Munich Re and Oxygen have joined forces to launch an intellectual property product.
Dexia signs Axa distribution deal for Turkey
Belgian-based Dexia has signed a 15-year exclusive agreement to distribute Axa's non-life insurance products through DenizBank's branch network, for a consideration of TRY55 million, equivalent to approximately €24 million.
UK General capacity deal 'first of many'
The capacity deal signed between UK General and Lloyd's insurer Catlin is likely to be the first of many, as the Leeds-based underwriting agency looks to branch out into high-risk liability.
Affinity: Telecoms ready to take on banks
James Carpenter, head of insurance at O2, told delegates the telecommunications sector is gearing up to rival the banks as a provider of financial services and products.
Career development & CSR: Hastings supports safety with policy donations
Hastings Direct is supporting the 'Think Bike' motorbike safety campaign by donating £2 for every policy sold.
Affinity: Travel bucks trend as affinity share falls
Finaccord managing director Alan Leach has advised insurers that the affinity market is "not just about motor, household and travel" and to look for potential partnerships in niche segments. He pointed to accident & health, which he said has seen "steady…
Igo4 opens call centre
IGO4 has opened a new contact centre in Peterborough to handle renewals business from existing home and motor insurance customers and offline completion of aggregator quotes, after transferring business from BDML.
F&L quits ABI over Jackson support
Financial & Legal has become the latest legal expenses insurer to resign from the Association of British Insurers in protest against the trade body's support of the Jackson Review.
Cuts loom as Garwyn begins efficiency drive
Garwyn staff based in Durham and Peterborough face potential redundancy after the loss adjuster earmarked both of the branches for closure.
IFR costs to be revealed as police unit green-lit
Insurers are to be told how much they will have to contribute to the funding of the Insurance Fraud Register in the "coming weeks" with plans to roll out the register early next year.
Cash-back schemes eat into aggregators
The growing popularity of online cash-back schemes among personal lines customers is posing a threat to aggregator profits.
Editor's comment: Customer conundrum
Cuddly toy or cold hard cash? That appears to be the latest dilemma facing the insurance-buying public.
Staddon to leave Biba
The British Insurance Brokers' Association's longstanding head of technical services Peter Staddon is set to depart the trade body. Mr Staddon began his insurance career in 1971 as a broker and joined Biba in 1996 to establish the technical services…
Career development & CSR: National Cricket Day bowls school over
Volunteers from Brit Insurance went back to school to help with the creation of a 'dream' cricket school to mark the company's National Cricket Day. Along with a host of cricket-related VIPs, the volunteers, including chief executive Dane Douetil, helped…
TSC re-opens premiums inquiry as referral fee furore escalates
The chair of the Transport Select Committee has told Post that motor insurers will be called back to parliament for further questioning following her decision to re-open its inquiry into the rising cost of motor insurance.
Affinity: Cultural alignment essential for brand partnerships
Strong affinity partnerships require "cultural alignment" between the involved parties, according to Myles Edwards, sales & marketing director at Age UK Enterprises.
Tax exemption option could lure back firms
Firms that have redomiciled for tax purposes could consider returning to the UK if a government-driven consultation on corporate tax for controlled foreign companies leads to substantial legislative changes, according to Pricewaterhouse Coopers.
Affinity: 'Sticky' challenge faced by affinity in bid to boost business
Insurers must "tap into partner loyalty" within affinity arrangements if they are to stay one step ahead of mounting outside pressures, according to Ageas' partnerships director Ian Wardle.
High street still attractive despite big name failures
The high street is expected to remain an attractive proposition for trade credit insurers, despite a spate of household names slipping into insolvency.
News analysis - Aggregators: The challenge of converting quotes
In the 10th quarterly price comparison watch, Tom Cooper finds no slowdown in quote volumes but converting them into sales represents a growing challenge.
Lloyd's warns FSA over SII box-ticking
Lloyd's finance director Luke Savage has warned the Financial Services Authority against the perils of hiring "rookies" to approve businesses' internal capital models for Solvency II.
Property cat rates rise after global losses
US property catastrophe rates have increased due to global losses and new versions of catastrophe models. However, the reinsurance sector's capital position remains dependent on the hurricane season.
Aviva UK plots Lloyd's return in international push
A strategic review considering areas of expansion for Aviva's UK corporate business, will include assessing the viability of opening a trading box at Lloyd's and targeting international risks.