News
Howden introduces 'world first' mining rescue product
Howden Broking Group has launched a standalone product that mitigates the costs of rescue in the event of a mine collapse.
Pen Underwriting unveiled as Gallagher's collective MGA brand
Arthur J Gallagher has signalled its intent to accelerate underwriting growth opportunities and become "a force to be reckoned with" following the launch of a single brand for its collection of UK managing general agencies.
Organic growth at Quindell sparks 119% rise in H1 revenue
Outsourcing firm Quindell has attributed “strong organic and synergistic growth” for a 119% increase in revenue to £357.3m for the opening six months of the year (H1 2013: £163.3m).
Ecclesiastical turns underwriting profit for first time in five years
Ecclesiastical recorded a reduced a pre-tax profit of £18.4m for the first half of the year (H1 2013: £24.4m) despite achieving an underwriting profit for the first time since 2009.
Towergate East Anglia merger puts 80 jobs at risk
Towergate is to consolidate offices in East Anglia as it considers opening a business hub in Norwich, according to reports.
Wishart says he will ‘always’ retain Cobra role after RRS launch
Cobra Special Risks managing director Paul Wishart has stressed that the launch of a new joint venture will not lure him away from his current employer.
Cobra boss targets 'high-growth' reputational risk market with start-up
Start-up intermediary Reputation Risk Solutions has been launched to take advantage of the “highly underdeveloped” reputational risk sector, amid claims the UK market could be worth £1bn by 2019.
BIA award winner video: Ingenie founder and CEO Richard King
Ingenie founder and CEO Richard King explains how an idea developed in his kitchen wooed both footballing pundit Gary Lineker and the British Insurance Awards judges.
DfT denies driverless convoy trial plans
The Department for Transport has denied that the UK government is plotting trials of convoys of driverless lorries on UK roads next year.
Construction insurer launches ECS-backed liability covers
Construction industry insurer Trade Direct has partnered with the UK Electrotechnical Certification Scheme to launch a new range of liability products.
Allianz creates new role to forge closer ties between claims and retail division
Allianz has appointed Richard Nettleship to the newly created role of proposition and change relationship manager, in a bid to forge greater links between its claims team and its retail division.
Helvetia shareholders urged to support Nationale Suisse takeover bid
Shareholders of Swiss insurance company Helvetia have been summoned to an extraordinary shareholders meeting where they will decide on the capital increase required for the takeover of Nationale Suisse.
Telematics M&As tipped to hit peak as Admiral mulls Insure the Box purchase
Rumoured deal follows those involving Wunelli and Ingenie in recent months.
Compre expands German footprint with HIR acquisition
Reinsurance legacy specialist Compre has completed the acquisition of Hamburger Internationale Rückversicherung from Tawa after obtaining approval from German regulator BaFin.
Biba launches MP guide to promote benefits of brokers
The British Insurance Brokers' Association has launched a guide for MPs to help constituents with insurance and promote the benefits of using a broker.
Analysts criticise insurers’ use of reserve releases for distorting H1 results picture
Admiral boss Engelhardt calls focus on reserves in financial reporting ‘bizarre’
Gallagher plots Welsh jobs following first instalment of £1.13m government grant
Arthur J Gallagher has received the first instalment of a £1.13m grant from the Welsh Government to be put towards establishing a centre of excellence in Wales and creating jobs for local people.
ABI gets industry backing after L&G’s decision to withdraw membership
Trade body tight-lipped on whether L&G exit will impact membership fees.
ABI welcomes LSB delay on 'misguided' PI cover reduction
The Association of British Insurers has described the decision by the Legal Services Board to prevent a reduction in the minimum terms for solicitors’ professional indemnity insurance ahead of the October renewal period as “a victory for common sense”.
Quindell begins legal proceedings against Gotham in the US
Outsourcing company Quindell has confirmed that it has started legal proceedings against US short sellers Gotham City, as well as a blogger that repeated “defamatory” claims about the company.
AM Best concerned over reinsurance underwriting discipline
AM Best has revised its outlook for the reinsurance sector to negative citing several headwinds.
Lee joins KPMG China from Towers Watson
Anthony Lee has joined KPMG China to become director of business development, financial services, with a focus on insurance.
QBE Europe sees GWP drop 13%
QBE Europe's first half gross written premiums fell 13% to $2.69bn (£1.62bn) from $3.1bn in the same period of 2013.
Iceland raises new ash cloud warnings
The Icelandic Met Office has warned of an increased risk of volcanic ash following powerful seismic activity at Iceland’s Bardarbunga volcano.