News
This month in Post: lessons learned, space travel and why every insurer wants a time machine
Following the collapse of Danish insurer Alpha hundreds of black cab drivers were left unable to work and without any insurance cover. With little communication from the insurer the drivers took matters into their own hands and besieged the offices of a…
Zurich takes minority stake in US SME insurtech
Zurich has invested in US start-up Cover Wallet, enabling it to provide small businesses with a platform to buy its insurance policies.
Smallest brokers pay five times higher proportion of earnings towards PI than largest firms
As a proportion of revenue, smaller insurance intermediary firms are still paying out far more for professional indemnity insurance than the largest firms, the Financial Conduct Authority’s latest data bulletin shows.
Penny Black's social world: June 2018
Mucky hacks, the Duchenne Dash and starring with stormtroopers
Charterhouse to acquire Ardian's Siaci Saint Honore group
Private investment firm Ardian has begun negotiations to sell the Siaci Saint Honore group to private equity player Charterhouse.
Insurance intermediaries saw revenue grow in 2017
The average revenue earned by insurance intermediaries increased in 2017, according to figures from the Financial Conduct Authority.
Terrorism business interruption Bill enters Parliament
A new Bill has been introduced to the House of Commons which would, if passed, enable Pool Re to extend business interruption cover to include losses that do not arise from physical damage to property.
Three loss adjusters join forces to tackle tougher market
Exclusive: Three independent loss adjusters will eventually merge under a single brand in order to better face off against a wave of consolidation in the market.
Amanda Blanc to become chair of ABI
Amanda Blanc, incoming Zurich Europe CEO, is to become the next chair of the Association of British Insurers.
Insurtech Laka expands to Asia following investment round
Crowd insurance start-up Laka has received £1.1m in seed funding as it prepares to launch in Asia and expand further in the UK.
Further M&A on the cards in AIG turnaround
AIG CEO Brian Duperreault has suggested that the insurer intends to make further acquisitions, following on from its purchase of insurance, reinsurance and asset management service provider Validus.
European insurance stocks took a nose dive after Amazon home insurance rumours
Stocks in European insurance firms took a nosedive today as traders reacted to a report which indicated that tech giant Amazon is looking to offer home insurance.
Over a million flock to FCA PPI website during £4.9m Arnie campaign
Almost 1.7m individuals have viewed the FCA’s PPI website since it debuted its Arnold Schwarzenegger-fronted advertising campaign.
RSA Luxembourg gets thumbs up from regulator
RSA’s Luxembourg insurance hub has been granted approval by the country’s regulator, the Commissariat aux Assurances.
German insurtech receives $30m funding led by Peter Thiel's VC firm
German start-up Coya has received further series A investment of $30m (£22.37m) led by Paypal co-founder Peter Thiel’s Valar Ventures.
Editor's comment: Which hat fits?
I wear many hats. As a single working mum, I have to deal with financing and running a household, managing a team of staff and producing a high-quality publication, and raising a rounded young man who I hope will take on the world in the future.
Interview: Steve Treloar and Jon Dye, LV and Allianz
When Allianz acquired 49% of LV’s general insurance business, it set the market talking. Martin Croucher talked to the CEOs of both businesses to chart their progress
FCA reveals regulation crackdown on CMCs
Claims firms will have to provide customers information on alternative, free options to their services, under tough new rules proposed by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Lanes Group-backed Evolution claims fixed fee model will become the norm after Ageas win
Evolution Claims Management has secured a new contract to provide building claims management services to Ageas Insurance, its first since attracting investment from Lanes Group.
Marsh group MGA eyes growth as it rebrands as ‘Victor’
Managing general agent the Schinnerer Group will rebrand as ‘Victor’ and is looking to double the $1bn in premiums that it already underwrites.
Markerstudy consolidates businesses into ‘super’ MGA
Markerstudy is consolidating its UK business units into a single ‘super’ managing general agent.
Qatar Re acquisition of Markerstudy still hangs on regulatory approval
Exclusive: Markerstudy is still waiting on its new parent Qatar Re to gain regulatory approval for the acquisition.
Ryan Specialty snaps up Lodestar Marine, announces equity investment
Ryan Specialty Group has completed the acquisition of Lodestar Marine.
Allianz worst hit European insurer by Q1 nat cats
First quarter natural catastrophe losses cost Allianz €311m, more than any other insurer.