News
Groupama and Brit hit snags as they try to shortlist potential buyers
Industry big-hitters linked to Direct Line Group chairman role
One year on, Christchurch still counting the cost
February marked the first anniversary of New Zealand’s most deadly natural disaster. One year on from the magnitude 6.3 quake that devastated downtown Christchurch on 22 February 2011 and claimed the lives of 185 people – and with the dust far from…
MEPs on the front foot as Prudential sparks fear of mass insurer exodus
Solvency II concerns in the spotlight after UK giant linked with Hong Kong move
My best 11: Jon Bates, APC Underwriting
APC Underwriting operations director Jon Bates selects his best XI for an insurance startup. Bates has snubbed the Premier League, with a team dominated by brokers and fellow underwriting agency players, including his boss as captain, with the surprise…
Market moves: Insurers dominate again
Zurich made two high-profile appointments this week, as the recruitment space was once again dominated by insurers.
Experts play down fears of wider trend as two brokers slip into administration
Fears that smaller brokers are coming under increased pressure — after two independent firms slipped into administration in a week — have been downplayed by Eric Galbraith (pictured) who claims "the market is as competitive as ever".
Commercial lags behind personal as major insurers reveal their 2011 hands
The results season is more than halfway through and, while analysts have highlighted the increased profit in personal lines despite market saturation, they claim commercial is lagging behind and could worsen.
Career development: Plum grows training scheme
Plum Underwriting has pledged to expand the size of its broker training scheme.
Shorter car hire lengths damaged results, says Helphire boss
Credit hire firm Helphire is "cautious but optimistic" about the future, despite posting an adjusted operating loss of £0.7m for the six months to 31 December 2012.
Ace Europe targets over-50s market with Netherlands pilot
Ace Europe is branching into the over-50s market with a pilot starting in the Netherlands in Q2 this year.
Markel opens second Malaysian office
Specialist insurer, Markel International, has opened a marketing office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in response to increased demand for specialist products from the Asian market.
Prudential departure would be "severe blow", says Tory MEP
The market has been responding to the news that The Prudential, one of the UK's oldest insurance companies, may re-domicile abroad, due to a lack of clarity over how Solvency II will affect its business.
Direct Line Group hires chief risk officer
Jose Vazquez will join Direct Line Group as chief risk officer, reporting to Paul Geddes, chief executive officer.
LV wins landmark contrived collision court case
LV has won the first case of its kind in which an accident that was wholly contrived has been successfully concluded in favour of the insurance company.
Skillin rebuffs claims that Imperial is in financial difficulty
Imperial Consultants chief executive Kevin Skillin has dismissed claims that the company is experiencing financial difficulties as "malicious gossip".
Insurers to pay for Accident Exchange retrials
Major insurers that do not reach a settlement with Accident Exchange could end up paying millions of pounds in legal costs.
Jobs and branches at risk as Autoglass undergoes "operational changes"
Autoglass is entering into a consultation period with its staff after announcing a reduction in contact centres and the closure of a number of branches.
Only 16% of companies have reviewed BCP for Olympics
The vast majority of financial services companies have assessed the impact the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will have on their business, according to research from Deloitte.
Protection needed for consumers to embrace 'mobile wallets'
Consumer interest in mobile transactions would be "exponentially higher" if secure protection products were an option, according to a survey on mobile trends by specialty insurer Assurant Solutions.
Plum grows as personal lines market demands non-standard solutions
Non-standard specialist Plum Underwriting has seen sales grow by 121% in 2011.
Riverbourne assets snapped up by Aston Scott and The Insurance Partnership
The administrator at the heart of the sale of assets belonging to The Riverbourne Group has revealed Aston Scott and The Insurance Partnership have emerged as successful buyers ahead of "a lot of interested parties".
MoJ issues consultation for RTA portal extension
Last night the MoJ issued a consultation letter to key stakeholders on further extending the fixed costs scheme currently used for Road Traffic Accident claims to cover Employers’ and Public Liability policies.
Markerstudy to expand non-UK motor MGA offering
Markerstudy is to complete a number of deals with managing general agents in the non-UK motor market in the coming months.
Towergate makes two acquisitions
Towergate Insurance has acquired Centenary Insurance and William Rogers Insurance Brokers.