News
Ace’s earnings hit by investment losses
Ace has reported reduced profits for the first nine months of 2011 and a loss for Q3, which it blamed on $760m in net realised investment losses.
Dublin suffers flooding after torrential rain
Torrential rainfall has caused widespread damage on both sides of the Irish Sea, with Dublin suffering the worst of the impact.
Fitch affirms ratings of Generali's German subsidiaries
Fitch Ratings has affirmed the ratings of Generali Deutschland Group's German non-core subsidiaries Envivas Krankenversicherung AG and Advocard Rechtsschutzversicherung AG.
Aqua replaces Sterling for Biba HNW
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association is to dump high net worth insurer Sterling after 15 years as its preferred supplier and appoint a recently launched broker-only HNW underwriter.
Mapfre sees 13.9% increase in GWP up to Q3 in 2011
Spanish reinsurer Mapfre’s gross written premiums for the first three quarters of 2011 were $14.7bn, a 13.9% increase year on year.
Allianz refreshes fleet products
Following independent research with brokers and customers, Allianz said it has introduced new and improved motor fleet products to clearly separate small fleet, cover for clients with between five and 15 vehicles, and motor fleet cover for mid to large…
Parabis commits to reinsurance with trio of appointments
Parabis has today announced three high-profile appointments under the banner of Argent Audit & Legacy in a bid to expand its reinsurance offering.
Axa reports modest UK P&C growth
Axa has reported its third quarter property & casualty revenues in the UK & Ireland were up 1% to €2 821m from €2 791m.
Ireland and SW UK hit by flooding
Catastrophe modelling firm AIR Worldwide reports that torrential rainfall has caused widespread disruption and damage on both sides of the Irish Sea, with the Dublin area has been the hardest hit.
Career development news: HSBC staff complete CII diplomas
More than 130 HSBC staff have successfully completed the Chartered Insurance Institute’s diploma in financial planning and diploma in regulated financial planning.
Penny speed meets... Kevin Kiernan, personal lines director, Groupama Insurances
Being an insatiable socialite, Penny Black is always eager to probe the personalities behind the professional veneer of her industry friends. What better way to squeeze in and share as many intimate revelations as possible than her very own ‘speed…
Career development news: Ace to sponsor D&O product workshop
Ace is set to sponsor a free educational workshop aimed at helping educate brokers about directors’ and officers’ liabilities products.
Fraud event: Top London cop in tune with fraud fears
City of London Police Commander Ian Dyson has admitted that if the insurance industry had not stumped up the cash for the new dedicated counter-fraud unit, it would not have been formed. He also empathised with insurers’ fears that funding the unit could…
Fraud event: Industry must drive forward claimant data-sharing portal
The technology is ready for a data-sharing portal between insurers and claimant solicitors to tackle fraud, but it is down to the industry to drive it forward.
Combined Insurance bosses quit amid redundancy row
The European managing director and the head of European operations at Combined Insurance have left the company.
$3bn Thai flood losses set to escalate as city centre inundation begins
Loss adjusters have told Post there is a “whiff of Katrina” about the Thailand floods, following predictions the disaster could cost more than the estimated $3.3bn (£2.1bn) insured losses.
Westinsure pushes ‘alliance’ angle to entice brokers
Westinsure is set to rebrand under the slogan ‘Together we are stronger’ at its exhibition in January 2012, as it looks to become the market-leading broker network.
McManus Towergate move rubbished as Wilkinson wins Willis UK CEO role
Market speculation suggests that outgoing Willis UK & Ireland chief executive Brendan McManus will target a role at another major broker, after well-placed sources rubbished rumours linking him with a move to Towergate.
ABI mulls development of no-claims discount register
The Association of British Insurers is considering setting up a no-claims discount register in the wake of the creation of the industry’s Insurance Fraud Register.
Aviva to axe 950 jobs as Dublin-based operation set to be dismantled
The decision to dismantle Aviva’s Dublin-based European holding company with the loss of up to 950 jobs has been blamed on “economic and regulatory burdens”.
Career development news: LV creates 150 jobs
LV has created 150 new roles with the expansion of its office in Brentwood. The site already employs 200 people and, with plans to enlarge its claims division, the insurer expects to add 45 new staff before the end of the year.
Market moves: All change at Zurich and Willis
Following a slow period, large insurers made a number of key appointments this week, including major moves at Zurich, Allianz and RSA.
Fraud event: ‘Fronting’ definition must be agreed before IFR and Bill introduced
The insurance industry must agree a definition and approach towards ‘fronting’ before the introduction of the Insurance Fraud Register and the Consumer Insurance Bill comes into force, delegates were warned.
Fraud event: Disagreement over point to target fraudsters
Application fraudsters are ‘hiding behind the web’ but disagreement reigns over whether to target scammers at the point of quote or sale. Panellist Steve Sweeney, head of motor insurance at Money Supermarket, said his firm is working towards stamping out…