News
RSA cutting 300 roles
RSA has announced a voluntary redundancy programme as part of a process designed to reduce its headcount by the equivalent of 300 full time roles.
Sampo and RMI bid a ‘real vote of confidence’ in UK insurance, says Hastings CFO
The takeover offer from Finnish insurer Sampo and South African financial services firm Rand Merchant Investment holdings is a ‘real vote of confidence’ for UK Insurance, Hastings chief financial officer John Worth told Post as Hastings released its…
Markerstudy 'surprised' by union criticism as it confirms Co-op redundancies
Markerstudy's purchase of Co-op’s underwriting business could lead to up to 300 redundancies, with the group telling Post it has committed to keeping 700 staff and is actively engaging with Unite the union.
Business enquiries down 14% on last year at Allianz
While market conditions are slowly recovering in the wake of the coronavirus lockdown, the volume of new enquiries for commercial policies remain substantially lower than were last year, according to Allianz Insurance.
Axa offers £50 compensation after walking back BI cover confirmation
Axa has offered a UK policyholder £50 in compensation after rejecting a business interruption claim it had initially indicated would be covered.
Hastings agrees £1.66bn takeover
Finnish insurer Sampo and South African financial services firm Rand Merchant Investment Holdings have agreed a £1.66bn takeover with the directors of Hastings.
Aon and WTW brand five takeover lawsuits as ‘without merit’
Aon and Willis Towers Watson have decried the filing of five legal cases across the US by “purported” shareholders and slammed the complaints for being “without merit”.
Swiss Re UK CEO Tavaziva Madzinga joins ABI board
Tavaziva Madzinga, CEO of Swiss Re UK and Ireland, has joined the board of the Association of British Insurers.
Direct Line open to acquisitions and partnerships: CFO Tim Harris
Direct Line Group remains open to inorganic growth from acquisitions and partnerships despite the Covid-19 impact, DLG chief financial officer Tim Harris has confirmed.
AIG adds $458m of Covid-19 losses in Q2
AIG reported an underwriting loss of $343m (£262.8m) for general insurance business in the second quarter of 2020.
Co-op under fire from union over Markerstudy insurance deal
Trade union Unite has accused Co-op of having "forgotten its principles" by selling its Manchester-based insurance business to Markerstudy, alleging the deal will result in 200 job losses.
Lloyd's to impose business class rota on September reopening
Lloyd’s will limit access to its underwriting room when it reopens on 1 September giving underwriters and brokers in different classes of business set days for face-to-face meetings at One Lime Street.
PE firms circle AA for takeover talks
Motoring group The AA has confirmed holding takeover talks with three private equity parties as it discusses “a wide range of potential refinancing options”.
Covea agrees €1.5bn investment with Exor after Partner Re deal collapse
Covéa will invest €1.5bn (£1.35m) with Exor and special purpose reinsurance vehicles managed by Partner Re, after its bid to buy the reinsurer fell apart earlier this year.
FCA warns of action on BI claims deductions
The Financial Conduct Authority has warned insurers making deductions to non-damage business interruption claim payments based on government payouts that it will intervene if firms do not meet its expectations and treat customers fairly.
RSA to exit wedding insurance in early 2021
RSA will cease to underwrite wedding insurance when its John Lewis contract ends at the beginning of next year, Post has learned.
Further cost-cutting expected at RSA UK
RSA will look to cut further costs in its UK arm, RSA CEO Stephen Hester confirmed as the insurer released it first half results for 2020.
No evidence of reputation hit to business, says Hiscox global retail CEO
Hiscox has not seen a slowdown in business as a result of its high-profile involvement in disputes over coronavirus business interruption claims, the insurer’s global retail CEO Ben Walter told Post.
FCA vulnerability guidance ‘far from enough’ warns former retail GI boss
The Financial Conduct Authority's guidance to help firms understand and assist vulnerable customers may be a start "but is far from enough”, the watchdog's former retail general insurance boss has cautioned.
Hiscox bulks up Covid claims hit estimate as group faces loss
Hiscox swung into a loss for the first half of 2020 as it increased its Covid-19 claims hit estimate.
Alex Williams promoted to MD at i-Wonder
Alex Williams has been appointed at the first managing director of technology firm i-Wonder.
Guidewire faces class action lawsuit in US
Gainey McKenna & Egleston has filed a class action lawsuit against Guidewire saying it is seeking to recover damages for investors under the federal securities laws.
Registration for virtual diversity event Dive In opens
Registration for diversity and inclusion festival Dive In has opened with over 90 virtual events taking place in over 30 countries from the 22 to 24 September.
NFU Mutual rejects accusation it misbehaved by deducting government grants from payouts
NFU Mutual has defended itself against claims by self-catering accommodation businesses that it is unfairly deducting the value of government grants from coronavirus-related payouts.