News
Website review – Sheilas’ Wheels: Have the wheels fallen off?
Web performance specialist Gomez tests out the Sheilas’ Wheels website.
Voyager targets consumers with past convictions
The director if niche broker Voyager is hoping to take advantage of the reluctance by mainstream insurers to offer cover to people with criminal convictions.
Unified response called for as metal theft cases see substantial increase
Insurers are demanding a unified fight for changes to scrap metal sales to cut a spate of thefts, thought by the police to be worth more than £800m — but insurers argue consequential costs could run much higher.
No widescale rate hardening at 1/1 renewals
The 1 January reinsurance renewal season has seen large rate increases in catastrophe-exposed and loss-affected contracts, but there has not been wide market hardening.
New Ellis Clowes MD hails business benefits of Formula One star NED
Karen Ellis has taken on the newly created chief executive officer role of specialist Lloyd’s insurance broker Ellis Clowes, 13 months after leading a management buyout of the business.
Loss adjuster hails insurer regional returns
MYI has claimed recent senior hires in Ireland and the UK are symptomatic of an industry-wide move back to strong regional offices.
Hastings stands by Utley as he prepares to face disciplinary board
Hastings Direct has vowed to stand by chairman Neil Utley, pictured, as he prepares to face the Lloyd’s disciplinary board later this month, as part of an investigation into Equity Red Star.
News analysis: Lloyd’s CEO Ward outlines diversity message with ambitious three-year plan
The start of every New Year is inevitably accompanied by the desire to deliver on resolutions made the month before — and Lloyd’s is no different.
North of the border: An update on costs
The Taylor review seeks views on a wide range of topics affecting Scotland, says Caroline Cassidy.
Market moves: Insurers lead the way in recruitment
As the industry heads into 2012, insurers appear to be the most active in the recruitment space. Leading the way in Chaucer, with five new global hires, and Chubb, which brought in four new faces for the new year. Meanwhile, Tokio Marine added two staff…
Law report: Balance of probability rules out claim over gash sustained while playing rugby
This law report has been contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Law report: Risk of injury was foreseeable for teacher at secure unit
This law report has been contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Law report: ‘Impressionistic’ approach to costs
This law report has been contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
My best 11 - Dave Smith, Zurich
Dave Smith, managing director of commercial broker at Zurich, picks his Best XI for a potential insurance start-up firm. Smith has relied on intermediaries and his colleague Mario Greco to lead the charge, with Wolves legend Steve Bull leading the line.
BGL linked with Minster Law swoop as insurer/broker ABS uptake tipped to rise
The on-going backlash over referral fees has been credited as both a hindrance and catalyst for insurers and brokers seeking alternative business structures.
Andy Webb quits L&G
Legal & General has confirmed that its operations director of the general insurance business has left the company for “personal reasons.”
Claims double following storms
GAB Robins said that heavy rain forecast for today in the west of Scotland could lead to flooding.
AA and Co-op report storm claims spike
AA Insurance has reported 200% more calls than would normally be expected at this time of year and the Co-operative Insurance received more claims yesterday than it would usually get in the whole of January.
Lloyd's Council holds fresh election after Millwater departure
The Council of Lloyd’s will hold another election in the working member constituency following the departure of former Willis president Grahame Millwater.
Buckley Scott teams up with Middle East loss adjuster
Loss adjuster Buckley Scott has agreed a joint venture with Bahrain-based business Alan Henry.
Fraud unit makes first arrest
The insurer-funded police fraud unit made its first arrest yesterday hours after launching.
IAG secures multi-year reinsurance protection
Insurance Australia Group has finalised its catastrophe reinsurance programme for the period commencing 1 January 2012, encompassing protection of up to $4.7bn ($3.63bn), compared to $4.1bn in 2011.
Biba members to benefit from crime requirements checking facility
Members of the British Insurance Brokers’ Association will be kept up to speed with their obligations under the Terrorism Act and the Financial Services Authority’s financial crime requirements following the association’s launch of a checking facility.
Allianz contract with breast implant maker invalid
Financial Times Deutschland has reported that Allianz claims its insurance contract with the French breast implant maker, Poly Implant Prosthesis, is invalid.