News
Moreland allies with British Franchise Association
Scottish broker Moreland Insurance has widened its UK reach with a partnership with the British Franchise Association.
Competition heats up for general insurance arm of HSBC
The competition to buy HSBC’s $1bn general insurance business is down to two contenders – Axa and Ace, sources have told Reuters.
Legal expenses insurer DAS returns to profit and applies to SRA to buy a law firm
DAS has reported that it increased gross written premiums by 16% in 2011, returning a pre-tax profit of £9.7m compared with losses the previous year.
Claims growth outstrips premium increases in Cambodia
Although premium revenue for Cambodia's six big insurance companies rose 19% last year, total claims grew 178%, according to official data from the General Insurance Association of Cambodia.
Willis broker in viral email scandal
A Willis terrorism and political violence broker, James Hill, is reported to be at the centre of an embarrassing viral email that has been read around the world.
Scor takes bigger slice at 1 Jan renewals
SCOR Global P&C said 2011 gross written premiums were up by 8.8% to €3.982bn (up 11.6% at constant exchange rates) and 1 January saw average 2.2% price rises but saw it take a 13.9% growth in business.
Catlin in profit despite £1bn cat claims
Catlin's pre-tax profit was cut by more than 80% to $71m (2010:$406m) on the back of nearly £1bn of natural catastrophe losses last year.
Career file – Russell Crewe: LAS snaps up Merlin director
Former Merlin director Russell Crewe is to join claims management company LAS as an operations director after a period of gardening leave.
Career development: QBE announces Glasgow move
QBE is to move its Glasgow office to larger premises as it seeks to grow its Scottish workforce in 2012.
Insurers rally to hail their technologies as Avantia claims flood risk first
The competition to get the upper hand in the use of sophisticated data to underwrite flood-prone properties has already started, as it seems increasingly unlikely the Statement of Principles will be renewed beyond June 2013.
FSA's 'twin peaks' transition model welcomed, but further clarity sought
The Financial Services Authority's decision to create a 'twin peaks' operating model to mirror the upcoming regulator has been hailed as a "chance to get it right for the future".
Ecclesiastical rolls out church alarms in crackdown on metal theft
Charity and heritage insurer Ecclesiastical is to spend £300 000 fitting wireless church roof alarms in every diocese in England and Wales after a successful initial pilot.
ELIB could materialise if ELTO is not a success
Claims Club members have expressed concerns that the Employers' Liability Insurance Bureau could be introduced if the Employers' Liability Trading Office is not an overriding success.
Government deregulation puts sprinkler legislation on back burner
Insurers have been told to prepare for government apathy over mandatory sprinklers legislation and, at best, expect piecemeal change.
Career development: LMA names apprenticeship winners
Lloyd’s Market Association has named the winners of its second Lloyd’s Market Academy apprenticeship programme.
Market moves: All change in the boardroom
Underwriters were the most active recruiters this week, with Ace leading the way with two major appointments. Meanwhile, Brit, Lloyd’s Channel Syndicate and Whittington Capital Management also added to their ranks. While the broking space was relatively…
RSA's Brown re-jigs top team to make business less 'complicated' to deal with
RSA’s UK and western European CEO Adrian Brown today outlined plans to simplify its business in order to get closer to its customers, whether brokers or consumers, having admitted that its structure may have previously been “too complicated”.
Homeserve to scrap 200 jobs
Home emergency business Homeserve is to axe 200 jobs due to dwindling customer demand.
Commercial offering could spark future acquisition interest, says One Answer Network boss
An increase in personal lines members alongside an added emphasis on establishing a commercial offering over the next 18 months could result in the One Answer Network becoming big enough to attract interest from potential buyers.
LFC Shield's Clayton quits agency
LFC Shield's underwriting director Simon Clayton has left the firm after four years.
Mapfre reports 15.5% premium growth for 2011
Spanish insurer Mapfre reported a 15.5% growth in premiums to €19,600.2m in its full year 2011 results released today.
Keelan Westall launches online property facility
UK wholesale property insurance broker Keelan Westall has launched a fully automated, web-based platform for residential property risks.
Arab Spring uprisings remain a 'key concern' for CEOs
Social tensions and public protests in counties affected by the Arab Spring remains a “key concern” for businesses operating within the nations impacted by the popular uprising, according to Aon’s 2012 political risk map.
Philippines quake: only 10% of damage insured
Economic losses from the magnitude 6.7 earthquake that struck the southern Philippines on Monday are estimated to be close to $1bn - but only a tenth of the damage is thought to insured.