Groupama
Brokers will use downgraded insurers, but only if clients make the request
Brokers have admitted they will continue to work with downgraded insurers at clients’ requests, despite rating agency Fitch conceding there is no end in sight to potential downgrades linked to the Eurozone crisis.
Allianz tops 2011 non-life rankings for premium income
Allianz retained its place as Europe's top non-life insurer in 2011, according to Spanish insurer Mapfre's non-life rankings published today.
Helvetia bidding for Groupama's French marine portfolio
Swiss Insurance Group Helvetia Group has confirmed it has entered into exclusive negotiations with Groupama to acquire its French marine insurance portfolio.
I-Smart targets 'big market share' after launching insurance offering
Claims management firm I-Smart is eyeing a "significant insurance market share" after launching an initial range of products such as gadget, home and travel insurance.
Penny speed meets... James Rawstron, pricing and planning analyst, Groupama
Being an insatiable socialite Penny Black is always eager to probe the personalities behind the professional veneer of her industry friends. What better way to squeeze in and share as many intimate revelations as possible than her very own 'speed meeting…
Roundtable: How can fraud be halted at the underwriting stage?
There has long been a focus on fighting fraud at the claims stage, but could more be done to discourage would-be fraudsters at an earlier juncture?
Groupama UK criticised for bid to distance itself from French parent
Groupama's UK operation has been accused of "ignoring its financial history" by attempting to distance itself from the group’s Standard & Poor's BBB- downgrade.
Commercial Property: Too little, too late
Property underinsurance creates a real headache for insurers and their clients, often not discovered until a claim is made. So, where does the buck stop for accurate valuations?
FXB says Groupama stakeholders still on board after downgrade
Groupama UK chief executive François-Xavier Boisseau has branded concerns that brokers will stop placing business with insurer as a result of the Standard & Poor downgrade a "storm in a teacup".
FXB: Groupama downgrade does not reflect UK profitability
Groupama Insurances chief executive François-Xavier Boisseau, pictured, has defended the strength of the "ring-fenced" UK business and claimed that "good progress" towards a sale is being made, after the group's security rating was downgraded.
Groupama UK fights back over S&P downgrade
Groupama Insurances in the UK is strong and secure, according to CEO François-Xavier Boisseau.
S&P drops Groupama's rating to BB
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services has lowered its long-term counterparty credit and financial strength ratings on France-based insurer Groupama SA and its guaranteed subsidiaries to 'BB' from 'BBB-'.
Ex-Swinton CEO Halpin eyes imminent market return
Former Swinton chief executive Peter Halpin has announced that he expects to plunge back into the market in the coming months alongside two former executive board colleagues.
RSA legal action suspended as court rules in insurer's favour over motor costs
Zurich has confirmed that it has suspended legal action with RSA over the company's subrogated motor repair costs while it awaits the outcome of a possible appeal, after RSA won a High Court case against two other insurers.
Grupo Catalana Occidente enters motor insurance top five after Groupama swoop
Grupo Catalana Occidente and INOCSA have signed a binding purchase agreement to acquire Groupama Seguros y Reaseguros SAU, Groupama's Spanish subsidiary.
Groupama reaches agreement to sell Spanish arm
Groupama is to sell its Spanish operation to Catalana Occidente in a deal worth €404.5m (£326.3m).
Motorbike broker founder Carole Nash awarded OBE
Carole Nash, founder of the eponymous Groupama-owned motorbike insurance broker, has been awarded an OBE for her philanthropy.
RSA ruling to create added costs in motor repair, says Groupama
The High Court's decision to rule in favour of RSA on subrogated motor repairs will cause "confusion" and "frictional expense", according to Groupama.
Penny Black's Insurance Week
Penny gets stuck into the lager at England v France
Allianz France agrees deal for Groupama's Gan Eurocourtage
Groupama has agreed to sell the property and casualty brokerage-related activities of its Gan Eurocourtage subsidiary to Allianz France for an undisclosed sum.
Broker Focus: Fraud - First line of defence
Insurers are often called to bear arms in the battle against fraud, but should brokers be doing more to defend the industry?
CHOs slam decision to refer motor market to Competition Commission
Credit hire operators have called for resources to be redirected to improving the Association of British Insurers-backed general terms of agreement rather than towards an investigation by the Competition Commission into the "dysfunctional" motor…
Grupo Catalana Occidente in exclusive negotiations for Groupama's Spanish arm
Grupo Catalana Occidente and French insurer Groupama have entered exclusive negotiations regarding the acquisition of Groupama’s Spanish operation, Groupama Seguros Sant Cugat.
Apil applauds investigation into motor insurers' "grubby practices"
The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers has claimed that motor insurers have "finally been caught with their hands in the cookie jar" following the Office of Fair Trading decision to refer the sector to the Competition Commission.