Direct Line Group
Blog: Could latest insurer tiff over motor claims costs derail CMC reform?
At the end of last month the Association of British Insurers made its latest plea to the government to tackle claims management companies amid rising motor prices.
'Cracks appearing' in DLG reserving policy, Macquarie analysts claim
Direct Line Group posted a £100m rise in operating profit in the first six months of 2015 but analysts at investment bank Macquarie have suggested that “cracks are appearing” in the insurer's reserving policy.
Blog: Five big percentages to emerge from the latest results season
Other than an over-use of the word "benign", insurers' first half/second quarter results statements were also littered with significant percentage figures - both good and bad. This is Post's round-up of some of the headline-grabbing numbers.
Blog: Why £200m Nationwide household loss might not be a big deal for DLG
Direct Line Group CEO Paul Geddes was bullish today when the insurance group released its half year results.
Geddes trumpets DLG reserve releasing in ‘strong' H1 results
Direct Line Group CEO Paul Geddes says the insurer should "claim some credit" for its reserve releasing in the first half of 2015, which demonstrated a shift from its usually conservative reserving stance.
DLG operating profits increase £100m as COR drops to 89.4%
Direct Line Group has reported a £100m increase in operating profit for the six months ended 30 June 2015 and a 6.7 percentage point increase in its combined operating ratio.
DLG's Maddock claims insurers have 'an obligation' to set up ABSs to ensure access to justice
Direct Line Group claims director Steve Maddock has hit back at suggestions alternative business structures fuel claims farming saying they are actually an effective tool in stopping spurious claims progressing.
DLG fraudster given suspended prison sentence
A Londoner who staged a burglary at his house in a bid to claim for £57,000 worth of jewellery and gadgets has been handed a six-month prison term, suspended for two years
Six-strong 'crash for cash' gang guilty of £5.6m fraud
A ‘crash-for-cash’ gang who attempted to con UK insurers out of £5.6m have been found guilty of conspiracy to defraud following a five-week trial at Isleworth Crown Court.
'Misleading' Direct Line advert banned
The Advertising Standards Authority has banned a Direct Line radio advert for landlord insurance featuring Harvey Keitel as Winston Wolf.
FCA hires insurance leader as supervision director
The Financial Conduct Authority has appointed JLT strategic advisory group member Jonathan Davidson as its retail and authorisations supervision director.
Insurers sticking by Autoglass in wake of consumer criticism
Insurers that maintain commercial partnerships with Autoglass have vowed to work alongside the embattled windscreen repairer to address criticism of the firm’s service levels following its decision to scrap its branch network.
Tech blog: Serving two masters
In the second of Post's new tech blogs, DLG's Ash Roots looks at how best to walk the tightrope between compliance and attracting customers.
Compulsory salvage code proposed to prevent written-off cars returning to the road
Insurers have backed proposals to mandate the salvage code of practice with a view to ensuring the most severely damaged written-off vehicles do not return to UK roads, Post can reveal.
Could Google and Admiral's 'marriage of convenience' shake up US insurance?
Earlier this year I wrote a blog about Admiral’s high profile tie up with Google in the US.
Role of PCWs highlighted as insurers hit back against premium finance criticism
The Financial Conduct Authority has been accused of failing to address consumer buying behaviour in the findings of its premium finance thematic review, which singled out insurers and brokers for criticism.
DLG sees GWP dip marginally in Q1 as costs plummet 10%
Direct Line Group has delivered a 0.9% dip in gross written premiums for the first quarter of 2015 after attributing a 1.3% reduction in in-force policies to a fall within its partnerships channel.
From Croydon to Berlin: The geography of insurance disruption
There is constant talk of disruption and digital innovation in the personal lines insurance market, but when it comes to concrete facts about where it's coming from, all we have is – often wild - speculation.
Gallagher hires ex-NIG underwriting boss Hall as CUO
Former NIG underwriting and pricing director Martin Hall is to resurface at Arthur J Gallagher where he will take on the chief underwriting officer role vacated by Sian Fisher.
C-Suite - Insurer: Reducing risk, increasing safety
Telematics can bring down premiums for young drivers, but also alter behaviour in all segments.
DLG director Jones to step down at AGM
Direct Line Group senior independent director Glyn Jones will not be submitting himself for re-election as a director at the company's 2015 annual general meeting.
Esure tipped to wrestle market share from rivals once rates rise
Esure can win customers from “less efficient UK motor insurers” once motor pricing picks up, according to a report by Berenberg, which has backed the insurer's long-term prospects.
Demise of outbound call centres linked to customer attitudes, not cold-calling regulation
The days of insurers targeting policy sales via outbound call centres are “long gone”, according to industry insiders, who have cited evolving customer purchase methods for the demise of such call centres rather than incoming cold-calling regulation.
Geddes rules out further disposals or large acquisitions for DLG
Direct Line Group's CEO Paul Geddes has told the market not to expect anymore disposals or large-scale acquisitions in the foreseeable future.