News
BGL Group buys Dutch aggregator site
UK personal lines broker BGL Group has acquired a Dutch insurance price comparison company, following the acquisition of French aggregator Courtanet in November 2010.
Q2 ILS issuance exceeded $2bn, Aon Benfield study shows
Catastrophe bond issuance for the second quarter of 2012 reached $2.1bn as investors continued to deploy capital into the sector, a report by Aon Benfield Securities revealed.
SMEs fear 'detrimental impact' of Eurozone crisis
More than one in 10 British SMEs have considered closing down in the past three months as a possible result of the economic situation, according to a new SME Risk Index from global insurer Zurich.
Groupama to sell Polish arm to Generali JV
Groupama has agreed to sell its Polish operation Proama to Generali PPF Holding, a joint venture between Italy-based Generali and central European investment group PPF.
Argo Re recruits underwriter for Dubai team
Argo Group International Holdings has appointed Jason Dsouza as a casualty and professional lines underwriter for Argo Re in Dubai.
DAC Beachcroft appointment swells Dublin team to 30
The Dublin office of international law firm DAC Beachcroft has appointed a partner with expertise in professional negligence claims and commercial litigation to expand its reach into the Ireland and London insurance markets.
GAB Robins graduates experience weather claims surge response
GAB Robins' graduate recruits will start work more than a month ahead of the original September start date to experience handling the recent surge in weather-related claims.
Ince & Co opens office in Beijing
Ince & Co expands Greater China capability with new office in Beijing.
Escott quits Capita
Capita's general insurance managing director, Brent Escott, pictured, has left the business by "mutual agreement" after seven months in the job.
Indie FSCS bill hits £404m in advance of scheme of arrangement
The Financial Services Authority has revealed that, since Independent Insurance went into liquidation in 2001, £500m of assets have been realised for the benefit of creditors.
Endsleigh teams up with Open GI
Endsleigh Business Insurance Services has begun using technology firm Open GI's new software platform which produces policy quotes in minutes.
Market moves: Hiscox reshuffles management team in busy week for insurers
Axa, Mitsui Sumitomo and Zurich were the busiest recruiters last week, but Hiscox has been the most active in the past seven days after reshuffling its management team.
Towergate on course to double 2011 acquisitions total, says M&A boss Saulter
The acquisition of two more insurance brokers has seen Towergate match the total number of deals it closed in 2011 in the first seven months of this year.
Career development: Catlin sponsors school science scheme
Catlin is sponsoring a new scheme encouraging students to take an interest in science.
Telematics Expo: Telematics set for mainstream, claims SSP boss
Telematics has a "mainstream" future despite its niche beginnings, according to SSP's managing director of insurance.
Telematics Expo: Feedback not a quick fix for improving driving standards
Incorporating a telematics box into a driver's car does not necessarily make a policyholder a safer or better driver, despite claims to the contrary.
Telematics Expo: Data fears unfounded in a social media world
A fear of telematics owing to data protection and privacy issues is outdated in a world where people voluntarily share so much information online.
Telematics Expo: Industry must take the telematics plunge
Insurers were warned not to pontificate over the 'VHS or Betamax' debate and immerse themselves in telematics now or risk falling behind.
Aviva parts company with director as McFarlane's shake-up takes effect
Aviva chairman John McFarlane has pressed ahead with his pledge to streamline the insurer's hierarchy by making long-serving director Mark Hynes redundant.
£300m broker levy "affordable", says FSA
The proposal to double the threshold for claims within the Financial Services Compensation Scheme to £300m for the general insurance broking sub-class was based on the "affordability" of the figure rather than on the likelihood of high-value claims.
Confused unveils new telematics service and TV advert
Confused has launched new telematics service with five insurers and is due to go live with a sixth, Hastings Direct, tomorrow.
Fitch affirms Generali's 'A-' IFS rating
Fitch has affirmed Assicurazioni Generali SpA's insurer financial strength rating at 'A-' and long-term issuer default rating at 'BBB+' on account of its solid operating performance. The outlook for both ratings is negative.
Law firms attack mesothelioma victims scheme for excluding other asbestos sufferers
Law firms have attacked the government's plans for a mesothelioma victims support scheme that excludes other asbestos sufferers.
Industry divided over RTA Portal extension deadline after Fenn report
The Ministry of Justice is sticking to its April 2013 deadline for the extension of the RTA Portal to cover a wider spectrum of personal injury claims, despite industry concerns that any changes will be rushed through.