News
Coverzones boss vows it will come back "within months"
Coverzones chief executive Simon Ball has vowed the online commercial aggregator will make a profitable return to the SME market within months.
New data hub promises level playing field for insurers
Non-direct motor insurers and brokers will soon be able to compete head on with their direct counterparts, following the launch of a new data bureau that will validate claims, credit and vehicle data at the point of sale, according to its founding…
Confusion over FSA prompts calls for government rethink
The insurance industry has called on the government to review its regulatory proposals, after plans to scrap the Financial Services Authority were thrown into confusion.
US investors ready to back second bond push
Towergate believes that there is a healthy appetite among US investors if it goes ahead with a bond issue in the near future. The consolidator postponed its original £665m placing last week, and will bide its time until the beginning of July to see if…
FSA corruption warning
The Financial Services Authority has warned of brokers exposure to corruption in its review of anti-bribery and corruption systems and controls.
Court leaves Zurich
Zurich's European general insurance chief executive officer and former Royal Bank of Scotland Insurance CEO Annette Court, pictured, is to leave the business "by mutual agreement to pursue other opportunities".
Amlin GWP rise
Amlin has reported gross written premium (before deduction of brokerage) rose 32.1% for the four months ended 30 April 2010 to £964.0m (30 April 2009: £729.7m).
First City staff mull protest group
Staff that remain in the broker First City's pension scheme have learnt their retirement pots could be hit by a shortfall of as much as 60%.
Oxygen fires off legal letter after Leeds defections
Oxygen Insurance Brokers has fired an opening salvo in a potential legal battle with The Insurance Partnership after it hired four members of staff from the firm's Leeds office.
Broker turned MP slams former Labour regime as a "nightmare"
Former insurance broker and new Conservative MP Andrew Stephenson has described being an intermediary under the Labour government as a "nightmare".
Miller poised to join international broking network
Assurex Global is poised to appoint Miller as one of two new UK partners, after a long search to replace HSBC Insurance Brokers.
BIBA 2010: THB/Eclipse fleet deal
Specialist fleet broker THB London Market, part of Lloyd's broking arm Thompson Heath & Bond, has launched a new fleet facility with Lloyd's syndicate Eclipse.
Lancashire Holdings upgraded by S&P
Standard & Poor's has assigned an "A-" counter-party rating and financial strength rating on Lancashire Holdings subsidiaries Lancashire Insurance Company and Lancashire Insurance Company (UK) Limited.
BIBA 2010: Markerstudy forms coalition with Zenith
Markerstudy and Zenith have put together a new group underwriting coalition under group underwriting director Gary Humphreys (pictured).
FOS: Insurance disputes up 38% in 2009/10 driven by PPI
The Financial Ombudsman Service – the independent organisation that settles disputes between consumers and financial companies – today said it resolved a record 166 321 disputes – a 46% annual increase – in the period 2009/10 resulting in compensation…
BIBA 2010: Ace launches four new enhanced business covers
Ace UK was today due to launch a suite of new products targeting companies with one or more overseas branches, retailers, hotel groups and machinery manufacturers.
BIBA 2010: Bluefin ties up APC deal
Commercial insurance underwriting agency APC has struck a deal with Bluefin to provide its network brokers with access to a full range of commercial insurance packages.
BIBA 2010: Lorega in online tie up
Loss recovery insurance specialist Lorega has struck a deal with internet trading solution Broker 2 Broker to enable brokers to bind business online from 1 June.
Chaucer reports 11% hike in motor rates
Lloyd's insurer Chaucer this morning reported a drop in gross written premium income to £250.1m (2009 Q1: £257.8m).
Lloyd's China granted licence to write direct insurance
Lloyd’s China has been granted a licence by the China Insurance Regulatory Commission to write direct insurance in addition to their existing reinsurance licence.
BIBA 2010: Over half of brokers see value in online platforms
Over half of British insurance brokers believe using an online platform to trade with carriers will help them retain commercial insurance business that would otherwise go direct.
BIBA 2010: Galbraith calls on government to introduce the "right legislation"
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association is set to launch a major lobbying campaign to promote the role of the broker to the Liberal-Conservative coalition government.
Cable creates Business Advisory Group
Business secretary Vince Cable has created a group of experts top help advise the government on business and economic policy.
JLT shakes-up board
Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group has changed its board in the wake of Jim Rush and William Nabarro retiring.