News
Insurers told to improve online user experience or risk losing customers
Home and motor insurers have been accused of potentially ruining opportunities to acquire new customers by providing a poor online user experience, following research conducted by online customer experience insights firm Global Reviews.
Cost of flooding hits £1bn per year, claims SearchFlow
A combination of climate change and underinvestment in flood defences has resulted in the annual cost of flooding in England and Wales reaching £1bn, according to research conducted by the Environment Agency and SearchFlow.
Giles hails "peer-beating" 15% rise in 2011 operating earnings as IPO is rejected
Giles CEO Brendan McManus has categorically ruled out an initial public offering as the consolidator today reported a 15% increase in EBITDA to £24m (2010: £21m) on turnover of £81m (2010: £70m) for the full year to 31 August 2011.
Ageas woos Groupama household boss
Ageas has appointed Craig Allen as head of household underwriting, responsible for managing the performance and profitable development of the home account through the control of pricing, underwriting and business development activity.
Government attacked for rushing compensation reforms
The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers has criticised the government for rushing reforms of the compensation system, arguing the "aggressive timetable" may compromise access to justice for injured people.
O’Donnell replaces Robinson as Ace financial lines head
Timothy O'Donnell has been appointed executive vice president of financial lines for Ace's international insurance operations.
IUA working party demands details on regulatory cooperation
More information is needed on how the UK's two new insurance regulators are going to cooperate and ensure fair treatment for companies, a new International Underwriting Association market group has stated.
Miller hires Asia treaty reinsurance specialist
Broker Miller has recruited south east Asia treaty reinsurance specialist Chin Kim Sun from Aon Benfield.
CCV wins chartered status
Cullum Capital Ventures has attained the status of chartered broker.
Amlin to integrate French unit
Amlin France, known as Anglo-French Underwriters before its 2008 acquisition by Amlin Group, will be integrated into Netherlands-based Amlin Corporate Insurance as part of the insurer's European growth strategy.
Geyer steps down as Vienna Insurance president
Günter Geyer is resigning after 11 years as chief executive of Vienna Insurance Group, having presided over the most profitable period in the group's history.
Fraud department combating 'cash for crash' culture following north west arrests
Police chiefs at the City of London's Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department believe they are changing the culture of fraud following a string of arrests in Liverpool and Manchester last week.
Taiwan insurance industry exposure to PIIGS revealed
Taiwan's insurance firms launched total investments of NT$13.9bn (£295m) in Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece and Spain in the first four months of the year.
Chartis exits "challenging" public sector
Chartis has claimed it is withdrawing from a longstanding arrangement underwriting UK public sector risks on behalf of an AJ Gallagher subsidiary because of a failure to secure "adequate and sustainable terms".
Direct Line Group to pay shareholders £500m dividend
Direct Line Group directors have declared an interim dividend in an aggregate amount of £500m.
A third of general insurers to re-price products in run-up to Solvency II
Increasing numbers of insurers plan to re-price and reorganise their product mix in response to the introduction of Solvency II regulations, according to a Deloitte Survey.
In conversation with Davies: Crawford and Coombes on life with Electra
At the tail end of September 2011, the claims solutions provider Davies refinanced, with the existing management and Electra Partners agreeing a buyout that saw Lloyds Development Capital exit the business.
Barbon names new chief executive
Barbon Insurance Group has appointed Mike Ramsey as chief executive officer.
Personal injury cases being auctioned off to the highest bidder
Law firm Spencers Solicitors said it has "lifted the lid" on the "questionable and dehumanising" insurer practice of injured persons auctions.
Insurers to revamp and re-price products for Solvency II
An increasing number of insurers plan to re-price and reorganise their product mix in response to Solvency II, a Deloitte report has found.
Amlin brings in QBE man Boreham to strengthen casualty offering
Amlin has appointed former QBE boss Martin Boreham as leading class underwriter at the firm's international casualty operation.
Sprinklers could have prevented Peterboat Close fire disruption
A large fire broke out at a chemical processing plant in south east London in the early hours of this morning.
XL allows collateral trusts in place of letters of credit
XL Group is now accepting collateral trusts in lieu of letters of credit used as collateral for corporate deductible and captive insurance programmes in the UK.
QBE underwrites RMP's public sector business
QBE Europe will underwrite the public sector business of AJ Gallagher subsidiary Risk Management Partners from 1 July.