News
Phoney insurer stopped after Gibraltar regulator warning
The website of the alleged phoney car insurer Unique Car Insurance has been disabled after the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission warned the public the firm was not regulated as claimed.
Ambitious broking firm opens offices in London and Cambridgeshire
Managerial appointments have been made across the board following the opening of new offices in London and Cambridgeshire by the Norfolk-based Alan Boswell Group.
Dicken switches Welsh law firms
Cardiff-based law firm New Law has poached Phil Dicken (pictured) and his team of insurance experts from rival firm Hugh James.
Irish insurer FBD reports a return to profitability
Irish insurer FBD has reported pre-tax profits of €20.5m for the six months ended 30 June 2011.
AM Best affirms Caisse Centrale de Réassurance ratings
AM Best has affirmed the financial strength rating of A++ (Superior) and issuer credit rating of “aa+” of Caisse Centrale de Réassurance (CCR) (France).
Columbus launches German website
Travel insurer Columbus Direct is taking its low cost travel products into the German market with a German website.
Ageas makes changes to group executive committee
Ageas has appointed Christophe Boizard as member of the group executive committee and as Chief Financial Officer with effect from 5 September 2011.
Columbus announces German expansion
Columbus Direct, part of the Collinson Insurance Group, is to expand its range of low cost travel products into the German market.
Willis targets Polish construction market with broker buy
Willis has bought Polish insurance broker, Brokerskie Centrum Ubezpieczeniowe (AMA) to grow in the Polish employee benefits and construction sectors.
GCube increases capacity to $680m for wind and solar projects
GCube has increased its underwriting capacity to $680m for wind energy and solar projects worldwide.
Willis strenthens Polish presence with construction acquisition
Willis Europe BV, a division of Willis Group Holdings has acquired 100% of the shares of Polish insurance broker, Brokerskie Centrum Ubezpieczeniowe Sp. Zoo.
Brunel launches wholesale PI
Professional indemnity insurance broker Brunel Professional Risks has launched a wholesale PI insurance broking service to give brokers to access a wide PI market.
New recruit for event and contingency insurance firm
Phillip Eaglestone has joined Heartland Events to assist with the development of its event insurance business.
Hurricane Irene expected to reach cat 4
Colorado-based Lloyd’s underwriters ICAT has warned that Hurricane Irene strengthened significantly overnight and is now a category three hurricane.
IAG remains disappointed by UK performance
“Disappointing” was the word repeatedly used by Australian giant IAG about its struggling UK business, dominated by Equity Red Star at Lloyd’s that has been ravaged by bodily injury claims.
Hardy's catastrophe losses still 'uncertain'
Specialist Bermuda-based Lloyd’s insurer Hardy Underwriting has said catastrophe losses added 30 points to its combined ratio and warned revisions of estimates could paint an even worse picture.
Website review: Cornhill Direct
In the latest of its ongoing series, web performance specialist Gomez looks at Cornhill Direct’s website.
Career development & CSR: Thatcham recognised
Thatcham’s automotive academy has become one of the first training organisations, in its region and the automotive sector, to receive the ‘Training excellence’ stamp.
Campton targets motorcaravans
Campton Insurance Brokers is aiming to become one of the largest motorcaravan brokers in the UK, after partnering with software provider Wanna Insure in a bid to “dramatically grow” its policy book.
Government applauds insurance initiative over charity driver rules
Charities expect to see a rise in volunteer drivers after insurers agreed to clarify their rules and post the data online, in a move welcomed by the government.
Career development & CSR: Aviva slashes power costs with PC monitoring solution
When composite insurer Aviva found that 60% of its PCs were being left on after work on weekdays and over the weekend it decided to act. And it claims a power management system run across the company’s 30 000 PCs will save the electricity equivalent in a…
MP calls for ban on referral fees
A Yorkshire MP based in a city with the fastest rising rates of comprehensive motor insurance is calling for parliament to ban referral fees after his report found high personal injury claims are driving premiums up in that area.
Quick Quote ‘baffled’ by rival’s withdrawal
The battle for broker dominance in South Wales is expected to be cranked up a notch following the news that rival firms Quick Quote and Motaquote are both looking to expand operations in the region.