News
Electrical Contractors' launches SME arm
The Electrical Contractors’ Insurance Company has launched a new underwriting arm, Facilitas, specialising in the SME market.
Zurich unveils new venture to handle small commercial direct
Zurich is to establish a new business unit for its direct business in Europe effective 1 July. Called Direct Business, it will be part of Zurich's Europe General Insurance division and will bring all existing personal and small commercial direct…
JLT extends Crawford deal
Jardine Lloyd Thompson Corporate Risks has extended its claims outsourcing agreement with Crawford & Company to include a further five UK-based JLT offices.
UK’s Met office predicts below average Atlantic storm season
UK Government weather research specialist, the Met Office has released a below average Atlantic tropical storm frequency forecast for the 2007 season.
Questgates shake up sees founder resign
Questgates is to appoint three new board directors and enhance its senior management team, with effect from 1 July. The changes follow the company's first review since becoming a limited company and the acquisition of the equity of director David Miles.
MIB reports steep rise in claims involving foreign vehicles
The Motor Insurers Bureau has seen a rise in the number of claims involving foreign vehicles. Between 2004 and 2006 claims involving foreign vehicles rose from 17 032 to 19 621.
Brit agrees $200m cat bond swap deal
Brit Insurance has entered a three-year catastrophe swap contract with Fremantle, a Cayman Islands exempted company, that would pay it up to US$200m in the event of four to nine qualifying natural catastrophes.
Best sees 'somewhat magnified' risk in Montpelier Lloyd's move
Rating agency AM Best has said that it sees "execution risks that are somewhat magnified" for Bermudian reinsurer Montpelier Re as it opens its syndicate 5151 at Lloyd's and its MUI US underwriting operation.
The Indie Trial: Lomas kept in the dark says defence
Defence counsel for Dennis Lomas today asserted that his client knew little about concerns over reserving held by Independent’s senior claims executives until May 2000, writes Ralph Savage .
Lomas kept in the dark for three years says defence
Defence counsel for Dennis Lomas today asserted that his client knew little about concerns over reserving held by Independent’s senior claims executives until May 2000, writes Ralph Savage .
Ace Tempest Re uses Lloyd’s to access China
Ace Tempest Re Group, the reinsurance division of the Ace Group of Companies, announced today that it has established an underwriting presence at Lloyd's Reinsurance Company (China) Limited, Lloyd's new licensed reinsurance company based in Shanghai.
Axa says it can deliver in the UK without major acquisitions
At an 'investor day' presentation on Thursday 21 June outlining Axa's UK strategy, Nicholas Moreau, group chief executive of Axa UK said the French insurer can meet its targets "without any major acqusitions." He added, "Axa UK has built the foundation…
Treasury sets out plan to reform Lloyd's Act
A ministerial statement from Ed Balls, economic secretary to the treasury, made public today in the Commons, has announced the Government's decision to develop legislative proposals to modernise the governance arrangement for Lloyd's.
FSA publishes 2006/07 Annual Report
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) today published its Annual Report for the year 2006/07.
Onlyinsurance.com claims appointment coup
Onlyinsurance.com has recruited former InsureandGo group sales manager and BUPA national development manager Ian Hall to the newly created position of head of personal lines.
Allianz in CBG share purchase
Allianz Insurance has purchased 340,000 ordinary shares of 4 pence each in CBG. This takes Allianz’s holdings in the broker to 675,000 shares, approximately 5.6% of the company’s current issued share capital.
Guy Carp to mandate paperless claims in some classes
Guy Carpenter is to mandate the use of the Electronic Claims File (ECF) for in-scope claims for all Lloyd's markets from January 1, 2008.
Crawford launches new specialist arm
Crawford & Company has launched an new arm, Crawford Esteem, aimed at the high net worth market.
Aviva unveils new GI banking tie up
Norwich Union parent Aviva has announced an exclusive long-term bancassurance partnership in general insurance and protection with Banco Popolare. It gives Aviva access to more than 5 million potential customers through the third largest branch network…
US judge awards broker $5m damages. Insurer gets $1
A Connecticut court has found in favour of Carvill America in a dispute with XL Specialty Insurance Company.
Young workers 50% more likely to be injured
Employers should take measures to safeguard the health and safety of young people in the work place,...
Top bosses reject "petty rivalry"
A report by the Chartered Management Institute is attempting to shatter the myth that 'to get ahead,...
Time to test yourself
A selection of questions from various past-CII qualification papers
Pick of the Week
Anthony Gould editor in chief of Post Magazine provides a run down of the major news in the general i...