News
Brunel launches wholesale PI
Professional indemnity insurance broker Brunel Professional Risks has launched a wholesale PI insurance broking service to give brokers to access a wide PI market.
New recruit for event and contingency insurance firm
Phillip Eaglestone has joined Heartland Events to assist with the development of its event insurance business.
Hurricane Irene expected to reach cat 4
Colorado-based Lloyd’s underwriters ICAT has warned that Hurricane Irene strengthened significantly overnight and is now a category three hurricane.
IAG remains disappointed by UK performance
“Disappointing” was the word repeatedly used by Australian giant IAG about its struggling UK business, dominated by Equity Red Star at Lloyd’s that has been ravaged by bodily injury claims.
Hardy's catastrophe losses still 'uncertain'
Specialist Bermuda-based Lloyd’s insurer Hardy Underwriting has said catastrophe losses added 30 points to its combined ratio and warned revisions of estimates could paint an even worse picture.
Website review: Cornhill Direct
In the latest of its ongoing series, web performance specialist Gomez looks at Cornhill Direct’s website.
Career development & CSR: Thatcham recognised
Thatcham’s automotive academy has become one of the first training organisations, in its region and the automotive sector, to receive the ‘Training excellence’ stamp.
Campton targets motorcaravans
Campton Insurance Brokers is aiming to become one of the largest motorcaravan brokers in the UK, after partnering with software provider Wanna Insure in a bid to “dramatically grow” its policy book.
Government applauds insurance initiative over charity driver rules
Charities expect to see a rise in volunteer drivers after insurers agreed to clarify their rules and post the data online, in a move welcomed by the government.
Career development & CSR: Aviva slashes power costs with PC monitoring solution
When composite insurer Aviva found that 60% of its PCs were being left on after work on weekdays and over the weekend it decided to act. And it claims a power management system run across the company’s 30 000 PCs will save the electricity equivalent in a…
MP calls for ban on referral fees
A Yorkshire MP based in a city with the fastest rising rates of comprehensive motor insurance is calling for parliament to ban referral fees after his report found high personal injury claims are driving premiums up in that area.
Quick Quote ‘baffled’ by rival’s withdrawal
The battle for broker dominance in South Wales is expected to be cranked up a notch following the news that rival firms Quick Quote and Motaquote are both looking to expand operations in the region.
Ex-Swiftcover CEO Blowers back with new online start-up
Online insurance broker Qmetric has been granted full Financial Services Authority approval and is said to be a “few weeks” away from adding three major insurers to the panel of its specialist consumer brand Policy Expert.
Crawford-Axa allegations unfounded
Twin-track investigations immediately launched following anonymous accusations of “sharp practices” in Crawford & Company’s handling of Axa claims have discovered the allegations to be unfounded.
ULR shuffles top level after senior departures
Legal expenses provider ULR has embarked upon a major management shake-up in the wake of two long-standing senior figures departing.
Fraud rise feared in riot aftermath
Mihir Pandya, Allianz fraud manager, has warned spurious claims could rise in the aftermath of this month’s riots and a potential double-dip recession.
Biba and government join forces over flood risk
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association is working with the government to ensure people in high-risk flood areas can still obtain insurance once the Association of British Insurers’ statement of principles expires.
Sterling: policy excesses to be reclaimed from police
Sterling Insurance has said it will not deduct policy excesses from riot claims and will reclaim the full costs from the police on behalf of policyholders.
MCC role will not stop Hodson’s plans at Oval
Oval chief executive Phillip Hodson has insisted his coming presidency of the historic Marylebone Cricket Club will not interfere with his running of the broker, which is in the midst of a restructuring process.
Brokers call for trade credit qualification
Brokers are asking for an industry-approved trade credit qualification so they can work with underwriters to help small businesses in the face of a potential double-dip recession.
Career development & CSR: Cunningham Lindsey’s CILA success
Cunningham Lindsey’s mentoring scheme to help staff achieve Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters status has notched up its first success.
Career development & CSR: Tower Hamlets student gets first Lloyd’s bursary award
A Tower Hamlets student is celebrating securing a place at university place thanks to funding from the Lloyd’s community programme, as new figures reveal this year’s intake will leave college with an average debt of £26 100.
Lew report: Lay witness views dismissed as judge backs council in manhole trip case
This law report has been contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.