News
Insurance Strategy 2012: UK must look to emerging markets for growth
Business leaders must expand their exports to emerging international markets if the UK economy is to build on predicted 2012 third-quarter growth of 0.5%.
UK General looks to shed broker agencies to boost sales and service
UK General's new chief executive has revealed plans to reduce the number of agencies the insurer holds with brokers from its current level of 800 as part of an effort to build partnerships and improve its sales and service offering with a more select…
New players in solicitors' professional indemnity market dampen down rates
New entrants to the solicitors' professional indemnity insurance market have kept rates competitively low for this year's 1 October renewal deadline, according to brokers.
Cunningham Lindsey UK boss hints at further deals after CVC buyout
Fairfax Financial Holdings is to reduce its stake in Cunningham Lindsey from 43.2% to less than 10% under the loss adjuster's refinancing deal with CVC Capital Partners.
Lloyd's returns to profit with best combined ratio in five years
A benign catastrophe period helped return Lloyd's to profit in the first half of 2012 with a combined ratio of 88.7% compared with 113.3% in the same period last year.
Website review: Common errors plague Prudential
Compuware tested Prudential's web performance from 18 August to 20 September, using its Gomez performance benchmark.
Ask the expert: Ali Foroshani
I have been recruiting for the same position for a number of months and, despite seeing some good people, I feel the ideal candidate is still out there. How can I ensure I attract them? It can be tempting to continue to benchmark the market when you’re…
Market moves: Hastings and Compare the Market bolster ranks with directorial appointments
Broker Hastings and BGL-owned aggregator Compare the Market were the busiest recruiters this week, both bringing in new directors.
Insurance Strategy 2012: Insurers overlook brand power at their peril
The power of branding is an important tool for insurers to compete in a volatile market.
Insurance Strategy 2012: Get clever about customer contact
Insurers must communicate better with customers and recognise that one renewal action a year is not enough to build lasting relationships, according to IBM business development executive Adam Bellchambers.
William Russell alters Hong Kong claims process
International expatriate insurance provider William Russell has changed its out-patient claims procedure for Hong Kong-based clients.
RSA and Groupama sign motor claims agreement
RSA and Groupama Insurances have signed a bilateral agreement to help tackle the industry issue of subrogated motor repair costs.
LV appoints Mark Austen as chairman
LV has confirmed that Mark Austen will take over as chairman following the firm's annual general meeting in May next year.
RMS updates Japan quake model
Catastrophe modelling firm Risk Management Solutions has released an update to its Japanese earthquake model, factoring in lessons from last year's Tohoku quake.
XL adds seven new hires to continental casualty team
XL has added seven underwriters to its casualty team to meet the growing demand for liability solutions throughout Europe.
Reports claim DLG has 'sold' 33% of IPO book
Direct Line Group has found buyers for the full 33% stock stake, just three days into a nine-day marketing drive, sources close to the transaction told Reuters.
MS Frontier Re to open Malaysian office
MS Frontier Re plans to establish a new branch office in Malaysia subject to regulatory approval to service its clients in Asia and Oceania.
French treasury to raise €800m via tax on insurers
French insurers and reinsurers face a 7% hike in the exit tax on capitalisation reserves, if proposals in the 2013 budget go ahead.
Towergate MD joins Integro
The former managing director of Towergate Specialist Markets, Martin Wright, has joined Integro Insurance Brokers as MD of its UK retail operations.
Factor in reforms, motor insurers urge Competition Commission
The Competition Commission has been urged to consider the impact of upcoming legal reforms, including the ban on referral fees and changes to general damages, when it begins its two-year investigation into the private motor insurance market.
Second Gibraltar firm follows Lemma into administration
Hill Insurance is seeking the appointment of a provisional liquidator following a "serious external fraud".
Keating joins CEO Hubbard at UK General as Bruce exits
Cathie Bruce is leaving her post of managing director of the commercial division at UK General and will be replaced by former Axa personal lines intermediary boss Mike Keating.
ABI to publish "compelling" young driver report
The Association of British Insurers will publish proposals tomorrow for improving young drivers' safety, calling for initiatives including a ban on intensive learner courses.
Ex-Capita boss joins price comparison site
The former chief executive of Capita Insurance Services and Minster Law, Matthew Briggs, has joined legal price comparison website Wigster.