News
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.
Referral fees a 'red herring' claims CSC
The Claims Standards Council has warned the insurance market that abolishing referral fees is a "red herring" that will only send motor insurance premiums "through the roof", due to the loss of their ancillary income stream.
Career development & CSR: Rugby player work placement
Harlequins player Will Skinner has spent a week-long work placement within QBE's marine, energy and aviation division. The placement was organised by the insurer in conjunction with the Rugby Players' Association's player development programme, which…
Career development & CSR: Chartis and CII team up to offer environmental training
Chartis UK has joined forces with the Chartered Insurance Institute to offer a suite of accredited training programmes to brokers, covering environmental liability issues.
People moves - 7 July 2011
A round-up of people moves and new appointments in the industry, as featured in the 7 July 2011 edition of Post.
Sandy Scott takes Achievement Award at 2011 British Insurance Awards
Sandy Scott, chief executive, Chartered Insurance Institute, was given the Achievement Award at the British Insurance Awards at the Royal Albert Hall tonight in front of 1800 fellow industry professionals.
Capita Consulting appoints business transformation director and principal consultant
Capita Consulting has appointed Steve Buley as business transformation director and Sam Cook as a principal consultant in its financial services practice, which was created last year.
Coates exits Bluefin
Graham Coates has resigned as Bluefin’s chief trading officer with immediate effect, according to the broker.
240 jobs go at Zurich as insurer re-enters direct market
Zurich is to make 149 people redundant in a shake-up that sees it returning to the direct insurance market.
Insurecom pilots Informed Quotes on Ageas motor
Software house Insurecom claims it will be the first to push personal lines quotes through to brokers using Insurance Initiatives' Informed Quotes system, starting with motor policies from Ageas.
TSC re-opens premiums inquiry - Insurance News Now – 7 July 2011
Post news editor Mairi MacDonald outlines this week's major general insurance stories which include chair of the Transport Select Committee, Louise Ellman telling Post that motor insurers will be called back to parliament for further questioning…
Brown joins RSA board
RSA UK chief executive Adrian Brown has joined the group board as an executive director.