News
Property claims - Conference news: FPA to reveal more accurate fire data
The Fire Prevention Authority is set to release the first of its new quarterly reports detailing large losses.
Insurance websites escape VAT after HMRC loses appeal
Two insurance websites have been told they need not pay VAT after a five-year legal battle with Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs.
Oxygen extends reach with Dubai broker move
Oxygen Insurance Brokers has agreed a deal with Dubai-based intermediary Brokerage World Solutions that will see it service its UK business currently handled by rival brokers including Jardine Lloyd Thompson, Marsh, and Willis.
Aviva to run more ads
Aviva is to run further press and radio advertisements advising businesses to seek help and advice through a broker when buying their business insurance.
Open GI hits two million
Insurance quotes generated by Open GI's e-aggregator solution have risen above two million per day.
Kwik fit to hire 70
Insurance intermediary Kwik Fit plans to recruit 70 people at its Uddingston call centre. Kwik Fit said positions available include outbound sales and customer service jobs, as well as internet sales roles to support the company's growing online business.
C&G subsidiary launch
Congregational & General Insurance is set to launch a subsidiary MGA named Integra Insurance Solutions, generating £9m of extra homeowners income, according to the firm.
BPO firm expects to see growth in second half of 2010
Xchanging, the business processing company, today said it expected growth to be weighted towards the second half of 2010 due to the time it takes to conclude deals in its markets, including the London insurance market.
Questgates appoints two
Questgates has strengthened its counter-fraud team with the appointment of Sally Maeers and Mark Woodhead.
Aerospace cost declines
The price of insurance for the aerospace industry looks set to continue to decline in 2010, for the fourth year in a row, according to Aon's Aerospace insurance markets outlook 2010 report.
Governance consultation
The Central Bank and Financial Regulator in Ireland have announced the start of a public consultation on new corporate governance standards for banks and insurance companies.
Markel builds trade credit team with hires
Markel International intends to build its trade credit division on an excess-of-loss insurance offering after three more senior underwriters joined the insurer from Ace Group.
Junction takes on former Bradford & Bingley customers
Junction has acquired a customer base incorporating 140 000 policyholders from part-nationalised bank Bradford & Bingley.
Crawford agrees three-day deadline terms with firm
Loss adjuster Crawford & Company has agreed a deal with Jewellery Validation Services which it hopes will both cut claims costs and improve the journey for policyholders.
Editor's comment: Could the UK be hung out to dry on 6 May?
As election day draws closer, a hung Parliament is becoming an increasingly likely scenario. Despite the efforts of the two traditional major parties and some media outlets, it appears the Liberal Democrats — barring a major disaster — are about to have…
Half of insurers unsure over MoJ RTA reform
Almost half of insurance firms remain unconvinced by the Ministry of Justice road traffic accident claims reform, according to new research.
Co-op chief hits out over asbestos
The head of general insurance at Co-operative Financial Services has accused the industry of shirking its responsibility by continuing to oppose the formation of a pool for asbestos-related employers' liability insurance claims.
Insurer trio ordered to pay up to £20m over faulty sofas
Axa, Chartis and Travelers will pay a share of up to £20m in compensation to thousands of consumers who received serious chemical burns from sofas manufactured in China.
Chartis CEO scans Europe for possible HQ location
Lex Baugh, president and chief executive of Chartis Europe Holdings, has refused to rule out any insurance centre on the continent as a possible headquarters for the newly established group.
Political parties respond to UKRC challenge over rehab policies
The three major political parties have responded to the UK Rehabilitation Council's challenge to provide a pre-election policy on reducing the cost of sickness absence.
HSBC education practice survives Marsh cull
HSBC Insurance Brokers' education practice is the only division likely to be unaffected by job losses following its recent acquisition by Marsh.
School vouchers for charity
Many readers will recall that The Children's Trust was Incisive Media's selected charity for its Christmas Ball last year.
Thinktank questions IMF
Insurance thinktank, The Geneva Association, has issued a letter to the Central Bank Governors of the G20 in which it claims the financial stability tax proposal of the International Monetary Fund fails to adequately address the distinct nature of the…
CII revenues rise
The Chartered Insurance Institute has reported a 7% increase in overall revenues to £32.3m in 2009 (2008: £30.3m).