Hiscox
Hiscox profit soars to £217m
Hiscox has reported a pre-tax profit of £217.1m for the full-year 2012, dwarfing the 2011 result of £17.3m, and improving its group combined ratio by 14 percentage points to 85.5%. Gross written premium increased to £1.57bn (2011: £1.45bn).
Hiscox launches private client offering
Hiscox has launched a new private client agency, which will operate as a wholly-owned tied agency offering the insurer’s products.
Brokers bemoan electronic claims systems as service satisfaction declines
Brokers have blamed an over-reliance on electronic systems for a decline in London market insurers’ claims standards.
Hiscox backs mosque and Islamic school scheme
Niche mosque scheme Faithsure, which is underwritten by Hiscox, has started providing wholesale access through brokers.
Sterling renews DAS legal expenses partnership
Sterling Insurance has renewed a deal with legal expenses provider DAS to provide legal expenses cover to its customers.
In Series: Outsourcing - Quality control
How can insurers ensure their brand identity and customer service expectations are maintained by outsourced providers?
Marketing and advertising: Small screen, big rewards?
Television advertising has become a major marketing tool for many in the industry, but how do firms get it right, and can those with smaller budgets compete?
In Series: Outsourcing - Sharing the load
How can outsourcing services to specialist third parties help insurers achieve their growth goals?
Rothko vandal jailed for 'unacceptable' crime
The man who defaced a Mark Rothko mural at the Tate Modern in October has been sentenced to two years' imprisonment.
Review of the Year: Lloyd's - Highs and lows
After major losses following 2011's natural catastrophes, the Lloyd's market recovered to post its best results in five years in the first half of 2012 - only for Superstorm Sandy to bring fresh woes in October.
Hiscox unveils travel policy for extreme locations and activities
Specialist insurer Hiscox has launched a new gap year travel policy in response to growing demand.
View from the Top: Mind the credibility gap
Insurers must live up to their advertising slogans or risk leaving the general public even more disillusioned, says Annabel Venner.
Hiscox CEO: government spending on flood defences too little too late
The government's decision to suddenly free up £120m in funding for flood defences last week has been described as "a drop in the ocean".
Mitsui Sumitomo appoints class underwriter
Mitsui Sumitomo at Lloyd’s is aiming to grow its marine liability underwriting book following the appointment of Darren Carr as class underwriter.
Fine art: State of the art
The sky-high value of fine art necessitates appropriate cover but, as well as the obvious threat of theft, what else must be considered when insuring artwork?
'Crippled infrastructure' hampers Sandy recovery
Assessing the scale of devastation wrought by Superstorm Sandy has been hampered by disruptions in fuel supply, communications and power, according to insurance firms on the ground.
Too early for Sandy loss estimates, says Hiscox
Hiscox chief executive Bronek Masojada has refused to be drawn on loss estimates following the release of the insurer's results for the nine months ending 30 September.
Hiscox attributes £1.2bn GWP to errors and omissions rate rises
Hiscox has reported gross written premium of £1244.4m for the nine months to 30 September 2012, a 6.4% increase on £1169.5m for the same period in 2011.
Hiscox underwriters to differentiate between brick and stone buildings
Hiscox is updating its underwriting rules on buildings cover to reflect the difference in rebuilding cost between stone and brick properties.
Market moves: Ace and Hiscox lead the recruitment drive
Ace and Hiscox were the most active in the recruitment space this week, making three changes apiece.
Analysts predict 'superstorm' Sandy will strike primary insurers hardest
Lloyd's will avoid major losses relating to 'superstorm' Sandy, if early estimates that the primary insurers will absorb the bulk of the losses are correct.
Top five European news stories
The top five European news stories from www.insuranceinsight.com over the past seven days.
Marsh recruits Hiscox technology head for EMEA cyber risk role
Marsh has appointed Stephen Wares as leader of its Europe, Middle East and Africa cyber risk practice.