News
Allianz "operating improvements" offset catastrophe losses in Q1
Allianz this morning reported group quarterly revenue of €29.9bn - 2.2% below the record level of €30.6bn in the first quarter of 2010.
ACI names chief executive
Amlin has appointed Kim Hvirgel as the new chief executive of its wholly owned Netherlands-based subsidiary, ACI.
Amlin sees GWP rise by 13.7%
Amlin saw its gross written premium (before deduction of brokerage) up 13.7% for the four months ended 30 April 2011 at £1.1bn (30 April 2010: £964.0m).
Catastrophic claims: Bridging the gap
David Cameron’s oft-repeated slogan for the current age of austerity is ‘we’re all in this together’. However, in the world of severe injury claims, the ever-increasing gap between provision for disabled people who are in a position to claim compensation…
Editor's comment: are some more equal?
Tales of the unexpected it is not, but the level of animosity now being directed by legal expenses insurers towards their supposedly protective big brother — that's to say, the Association of British Insurers — may have taken some by surprise.
Consultancy warns over rate rise complacency
Personal lines insurers have been warned to guard against complacency, despite the potential for improved growth and increased profitability in the sector.
Career development & CSR: IRM to develop guidance on managing risk appetite
The Institute of Risk Management has issued a consultation paper aimed at developing guidance on the subject of risk appetite.
Crisis Survivor closes doors
Risk management specialist Crisis Survivor has entered liquidation four years after its launch, claiming "insurers failed to recognise its value".
RBSI pushes Select phone service online
Royal Bank of Scotland Insurance's direct high net worth offering, Select, has bolstered its telephone offering with a move online.
Baker quits post over Jackson frustration
Legal Expenses Insurance Group director Tony Baker has resigned from his post after becoming frustrated with the government's stance on the Jackson Review.
BA set to increase workforce by 20%
Broker Assistance is aiming to increase its workforce by up to 20% in a bid to "meet the demands of its customer base".
Insure & Go ditches home and motor to push travel ambition
Mapfre-owned online travel provider Insure & Go has ceased writing home and motor business ahead of a global roll-out of its direct travel insurance model.
MA Assist wins exclusive RSA commercial contract
RSA has appointed MA Assist as sole repair supplier for its commercial property claims.
Murphy takes Barclays UK and Ireland role
Barclays Insurance has appointed Kieran Murphy as managing director of its retail business in the UK and Ireland.
Junction prioritises servicing existing customers
Junction is to move away from targeting new affinity partners and instead focus its attention on servicing existing partners, as part of a "new phase" of development.
Elite threatens ABI withdrawal
Elite Insurance has become the latest legal expenses specialist to threaten withdrawal from the Association of British Insurers over the trade body's support of the Jackson Review.
Hyperion aims for £200m target by 2014
The development of a general commercial retail broking operation in the UK will play a major role in Hyperion Group becoming a £200m business by September 2014.
Career development & CSR: Sterling signs up to Aldermanbury Declaration
Sterling Insurance has become the latest insurer to sign up to the Chartered Insurance Institute's Aldermanbury Declaration.
Allianz focus on channel lines rather than regions
Allianz Retail has unveiled a new strategy that the business, ultimately, hopes will lead to more cross-selling among its personal lines brokers.
Esure Broker launch will be 'third pillar'
Esure has said it will overcome any scepticism from insurers, after unveiling plans to create a dedicated intermediary.
Lloyds seeks GI partner to focus on banking
Lloyds Banking Group is expected to seek a joint venture partner for its general insurance business amid strong speculation that it is gearing up to dispose of its Edinburgh-based life and pensions business Scottish Widows.
SMEs advised on alternatives
SMEs have been urged to consider alternatives to the purchase of non-compulsory commercial insurance.
Endsleigh faces High Court onslaught over claims costs
Endsleigh Insurance faces a £30m High Court showdown with Gibraltar-based Southern Rock and Markerstudy, over its alleged failure to provide "technically accurate" claims handling for the two companies.
Reinsurer cat budgets exhausted after Q1
Reinsurers' annual budgets have been exhausted after the major natural catastrophe losses in the first quarter were followed by 150 tornadoes hitting 13 south-eastern US states last month. According to Dominic Simpson, vice president, senior credit…