News
Aon Benfield launches earthquake model for Cyprus
Aon Benfield has launched an earthquake model for Cyprus, as insurers seek to increase their understanding of seismic risk in the region.
GAB agrees Dutch partnership
GAB Robins has announced a strategic partnership with Dutch adjuster Context.
E-business: Five insurers set for direct mobile launches by 2012
The future is bright for mobile technology as it becomes an increasingly important distribution channel for insurance products and services, according to Swiftcover head of innovation Ambarish Mitra.
Career development & CSR: confidence in financial sector weakens further
Professionals working in insurance, banking and finance are becoming less confident in their sectors, according to analysis by Grant Thornton and ICAEW.
NIG: we are not irresponsible
NIG has reiterated its claim that it is not guilty of irresponsible underwriting, despite complaints within the market that its rates have fallen by more than 30% following the launch of its 'Guarantee to Beat' price match deal.
E-business: Customer service must be priority
The chief executive of online commercial provider Simply Business has said the insurance industry must become more customer-centric if it is to catch up with the online revolution.
E-business: Google arrival means aggregators will have to work harder
Price comparison sites have been urged to "pedal harder" following the arrival of Google in the aggregator market.
FSA to debate FSCS fees after industry pressure
Jonathan Evans MP has confirmed the Financial Services Authority will discuss Financial Services Compensation Scheme fees with MPs, following pressure from the insurance industry.
Co-op to increase aggregator usage
Co-operative Insurance has set its sights on growing its household book by widening its use of aggregators as a means of distribution.
Axa cuts to hit commercial
Sources close to Axa UK's personal lines division and broker Bluefin have insisted management cuts will only affect commercial lines.
Mapfre overhauls travel cover offering
Spanish insurer Mapfre has revamped its direct travel policy following a relaunch of its online provider Insure & Go.
Biba and IIB warn members over Bribery Act compliance
The British Insurance Brokers' Association and the Institute of Insurance Brokers have urged members to start putting measures in place to comply with the forthcoming Bribery Act.
E-business: Insurers should track customers via social media
The insurance industry needs to expand its use of social media beyond marketing and into claims, fraud and risk ratings, CFC Underwriting's business development manager has claimed.
FSB backs call for SME pay priority
The Federation of Small Businesses has backed a call by Lorega for insurers to fast-track SME claim payments to help prevent smaller firms and one-man bands going out of business.
E-business: Online marketing needs clear objectives — not just ideas
Clear objectives and good ideas are vital for insurers to reach consumers using online marketing strategies, Chemistry Communications Group has claimed.
E-business: Wishman: mobile e-commerce has finally arrived
Mobile technology has "finally arrived" in the insurance space and now is the time to develop a mobile online strategy, according to LV group e-commerce director Paul Wishman.
Lloyd's motor result reflects 'torrid' time
Lloyd's finance director Luke Savage has said Lloyd's 2010 UK motor insurance result reflects the "torrid" experience of the whole market within that class of business. Its motor book reported an underwriting loss of £520m (2009: £83m loss) and a…
Editor's comment: keeping the buzz alive
After the initial buzz of excitement swarmed round the industry at the prospect of an insurer-funded dedicated police unit to combat fraud, all has gone strangely quiet. Fair enough, the Association of British Insurers did stress that its discussions…
Career development & CSR: first specialist recruitment firm signs Declaration
AMC Insurance Appointments has signed up to the year-old Aldermanbury Declaration, becoming the first specialist insurance recruitment consultancy to do so.
Besso management buys out Union Hamilton shares
Besso has insisted it is business as usual at the firm, after its management completed a shareholding purchase worth almost £3m.
Aggregators join ABI and Biba in fraud fight
Aggregators have joined forces with the Association of British Insurers and British Insurance Brokers' Association to publish new guidance on online application fraud.
London authorities unveil combined insurance panel
An insurance purchasing body incorporating eight London councils has selected Aviva, Lloyd's and Zurich to sit on its panel of insurance providers.
Exclusive partnership deal struck for fraud investigation
Cunningham Lindsey and The Surveillance Group have signed a partnership agreement in a bid to create a market-leading fraud investigation unit.
Call made for portal time extensions on EL and PL
The timeframes laid down for insurers to comply with the terms of the fast-track electronic claims portal may have to be modified if the process is to be extended to employers' liability and public liability claims.