News
HSBC's Ping An stake sale approved by regulator
China’s regulator has approved HSBC’s sale of its 15.6% stake in Ping An Insurance to Thai billionaire Dhanin Chearavanont for $7.4bn.
DWF completes Fishburns merger
Law firms DWF and Fishburns have merged, with the latter being fully incorporated into the former as of today.
Staffordshire broker secures future with sale to Jelf
Jelf has acquired Newcastle-under-Lyme-based Howell Shone Insurance Brokers.
Argo poaches Aon's marine claims director
Argo today unveiled Robert Dobson as its new marine claims manager.
Bennetts strengthens commercial team with dual hire
Bike insurance specialist Bennetts has moved to bolster its commercial team with the double appointment of Ben Blake as senior commercial development manager and Michael Fasulo reporting into him as commercial development manager.
Action Claims unveils new brand
Action Claims is rebranding as Action 365 as of today in a move that it hopes will reflect the portfolio of products and services it provides to its broker and insurer clients.
Lonmar hires Balchin to grow international marine account
Independent Lloyd’s broker Lonmar Global Risks has appointed marine cargo specialist Ian Balchin to help develop its international cargo account.
Argo looks to Aon for marine claims manager
Argo International has appointed Aon’s former marine claims director as its new marine claims manager with immediate effect.
DAS partners Simpson Millar to launch pre-paid legal plan
Legal expenses insurer DAS is to partner with law firm Simpson Millar to launching an insurance-backed pre-paid legal plan.
Lonmar names marine division director
Lonmar Global Risks has appointed Ian Balchin division director of marine.
R&Q 2012 profits “in line with expectations”
Profits at run-off provider Randall & Quilter are set to match market expectations for the calendar year 2012 it was announced today.
Stackhouse Poland completes LFC acquisition
Stackhouse Poland has increased its gross written premium "closer to the £100m barrier" with the acquisition of the business of LFC Insurance Brokers.
Autonet launches eco-friendly drive with paper switch
Autonet is to switch to a new office supplier in a bid to be more eco-friendly.
Insurers and Australian government work together in bushfires aftermath
Insurers and the government are helping residents in Tasmania recover following huge bushfires after extraordinarily hot weather.
Chinese regulator to rule on HSBC's Ping An stake sale
The Chinese Insurance Regulatory Commission is expected to rule on HSBC's proposed stake sale to Thai conglomerate Charoen Pokphand Group on 1 February.
Drive Assist creditors will not get all their money back
A number of creditors of failed credit hire company Drive Assist will not be paid all of what they are owed, said Zolfo Cooper, the firm’s administrators.
Fitch: Drivers’ occupation can help insurers assess risk
Fitch Ratings highlighted that putting more weight on factors other like occupation, now that the gender element is no longer in play, is a “valid and valuable” factor for motor underwriters.
Sheilas’ Wheels Broker enters telematics market
Sheilas’ Wheels Broker has launched Sheilas’ Wheels Model Driver, a telematics product which aims to offer female drivers with a way to save money on their insurance.
Oswald floods reach AUS$300m insured loss
Flooding from ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald has generated almost 26,000 claims in Queensland alone, according to the Insurance Council of Australia, with insured losses for the state estimated at AUS$290m.
Purple Partnership appoints development manager
Purple Partnership, the Jelf-owned independent brokers’ network, has appointed Pauline Palmer as development management for the central region.
BLD appoints new partner in Munich
German law firm BLD Bach Langheid Dallmayr has appointed Joachim Krane as new partner as of 1 February 2013.
Lloyd's investment return improve in 2012 according to latest analysis
Latest figures from investment information specialist Camradata indicate improved performance for investment returns in the Lloyd’s market for 2012.
Willis: Cat bonds hit a new high in 2012 with 37% increase
Last year saw the second highest level of catastrophe bond issuance on record signalling strong growth in the market, according to Willis Capital Markets & Advisory.
Extreme weather conditions barely disrupt film insurance market
While floods, tropical storms and fires have generated extra claims for insurers worldwide, a Lloyd’s broker who specialises in film insurance says his firm has not perceived a rise in losses.