News
Economic downturn driving liability demand
Demand for higher levels of liability insurance has surged across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, according to Marsh.
PPI complaints increase 129% in H1 2012
Financial Services Authority data has revealed that payment protection insurance has helped push up the number of complaints to financial services firms by 59% to 3.58 million in the first half of the this year.
Biba and Cabinet Office launch survival guide for SMEs
Under the title 'Business Continuity for Dummies', Biba’s SME survival guide includes a chapter focused on insurance and explains the benefits of using an insurance broker.
Expertise in action: Q&A with Zurich's head of SME
As the online economy continues to grow, businesses face an ever expanding array of threats that could destabilise day-to-day operations.
Market moves: All change at Mondial Assistance as firm prepares for Allianz rebrand
Preparing for life under the Allianz Global Assistance banner, Mondial Assistance was the busiest firm in the recruitment sector this week.
Biba boss urges Financial Conduct Authority to regulate 'appropriately'
British Insurance Brokers' Association chief executive Eric Galbraith, pictured, has called for "more appropriate" regulation, and offered to "help point the gun" at problem areas to support the FCA's efforts to stamp out product mis-selling.
Industry divided over advantages of attending party conferences
Insurers remain divided over the merits of attending party conferences as a means of raising the profile of important industry issues in political circles.
AJG deepens public sector play with Acumus buy
AJ Gallagher International has grown its UK public sector business to more than £150m gross written premium with the acquisition of Chelmsford-based housing specialist Acumus.
Bluefin ponders acquisitions after publishing positive 2011 results
Bluefin has "plenty of cash washing around" should it decide to make an acquisition, according to chief executive Stuart Reid.
Davies dropped from Zurich and NFU Mutual claims handling panels
Davies has lost its place on the claims handling panels of NFU Mutual and Zurich, following reviews by the insurers.
Investment losses hit MENA insurers' capital
Regulations are tightening for insurers in the Middle East and North Africa as the benign conditions of previous years quickly disappear, according to a report by ratings agency AM Best.
Ping An files arbitration claim over Fortis losses
Chinese insurer Ping An has filed an international arbitration claim against Belgium, in a bid to recoup losses from its investment in the now defunct financial services group, Fortis.
Guernsey ranked 28th in Global Finance Centre index
Guernsey has been ranked 28th in the latest Global Financial Centres Index, a barometer tracking the competitiveness of global financial centres published by research firm Long Finance.
Insurance Strategy 2012: Brand is key to customer connection
The management of a core brand and ideology is a vital part of maintaining ties with customers, according to Chubb UK & Ireland commercial insurance manager Andy Francis.
ULR Additions CEO Kay upbeat following 2011 turnaround
ULR Additions chief executive Rob Kay has credited a thorough business restructure for a 2011 turnaround which saw the legal expenses provider chalk up a pre-tax profit of £2.7m, an improvement of £6.1m on the previous year.
Insurance Strategy 2012: Telematics is about the customer, not the insurer
Telematics needs to be about the customer rather than the insurer, according to Ian Hughes, Consumer Intelligence chief executive.
Stackhouse to buy commercial broker
Insurance broker Stackhouse Poland has reached an agreement to acquire the business of LFC Insurance Brokers.
Guy Carpenter opens Athens office
Guy Carpenter & Company has opened a reinsurance intermediary office in Athens, the broker said today.
Editor's comment: Synchronised squabbling
Anyone who thought the costs war was close to being exhausted after more than a decade of ferocious wrangling over the fine print might have been disappointed to witness Tuesday’s posturing in the Court of Appeal.
Groupama sale to Ageas unlikely to improve either group's rating prospects
The acquisition of Groupama Insurances by Ageas UK should "end uncertainty" among brokers over Groupama's financial strength and creditworthiness in the UK, but will have little impact on the 'negative' rating outlooks of either parent company, analysts…
Court of Appeal delays decision on key date for 10% damages uplift
The Association of British Insurers' hopes of ensuring that the forthcoming 10% rise in general damages is tightly synchronised with the withdrawal of the recoverability of success fees and after-the-event premiums hang in the balance.
Crawford sets up flood claims help centre
Crawford & Company has set up a help centre in Morpeth to assist homeowners with flood claims, as the residents battle storm damage for a second time in four years.
Lloyd's backs IPO access for small companies
Lloyd's of London has welcomed lower barriers to entry to the London Stock Exchange for small companies.
Insurance Strategy 2012: Importance of brand to grow as economy picks up
The power of branding has been highlighted as a crucial tool for insurers in the struggle to compete n a volatile marketplace.