Zurich Insurance
My best 11 - Dave Smith, Zurich
Dave Smith, managing director of commercial broker at Zurich, picks his Best XI for a potential insurance start-up firm. Smith has relied on intermediaries and his colleague Mario Greco to lead the charge, with Wolves legend Steve Bull leading the line.
Zurich launches competition to redesign its headquarters
Zurich Financial Services Group has launched a competition for architects to redevelop its global headquarters in Zurich.
Zurich puts low cost motor cover online
Zurich has launched a branded online motor insurance product to be sold direct and through price comparison website Confused.
Data collator to compile flood information after UK insurer requests
European insurer-backed catastrophe data collator Perils is to start compiling information on floods from January next year in response to demands from UK insurers.
Market moves: Ageas and Axa name new MDs
With insurance companies gearing up for the festive holidays, it was a surprisingly busy week in recruitment.
News analysis: Application fraud to top the agenda for motor insurers in 2012
The New Year’s resolution for many motor insurers is to tackle application fraud with the same force they have brought to bear on crash-for-cash fraudsters. “Staged motor accidents remain the top priority, but application fraud comes second,” according…
Review of the year - General insurance: Regulatory dramas
2011, a year dominated by regulatory and legislative change, could yet prove to be a landmark 12 months for the insurance industry.
RBS tackles huge rise in storm claims
RBS Insurance saw a 1000% rise in storm claims arising from the severe weather in Scotland last week.
Allianz expands offshore energy
Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty has appointed Pete Connors as offshore energy global product leader with effect from January 3, 2012.
NI to bring pleural plaques legislation
New legislation is to be introduced in Northern Ireland next week allowing pleural plaques sufferers to claim compensation.
Zurich promotes new Farmers CEO
Zurich Financial Services Group has promoted Jeff Dailey from president and chief operating officer of Farmers Group to CEO. He will also join the Zurich group executive committee from 1 January 2012.
Zurich calls on government for clearer winter advice
It is not just the responsibility of businesses to prepare ahead of extreme weather, but a “necessity” of government to support businesses, communicate clearly and provide advice, according to Zurich.
Editor's comment: Impacting the market
Market-turning they may not be but market-impacting they evidently are. Revised loss estimates for the 1500 industrial units hit by the Thai floods have reached $20bn.
Market moves: ‘Tis the season for recruiting
As Christmas draws closer, the insurance industry has prepared for the New Year with a raft of appointments. In the broking market, there were moves for Aon and Willis, while Howden added three new faces to its team.
Stolen Vehicle Unit to remain open
The Stolen Vehicle Unit has been granted a reprieve, and will remain open, a Metropolitan Police boss has confirmed.
NIG names three in SME push
Broker-only commercial insurer NIG has appointed area business development managers at its regional headquarters in Bristol, Maidstone and Watford.
OFT accepts insurer commitment to limit data exchange
The OFT has accepted formal commitments from six insurance companies and two IT software and service providers to limit the data they exchange between them.
Duo found guilty of £40 000 claims scam
Two friends who claimed against Zurich and Allianz policyholders in ‘slip and trip’ and ‘cash for crash’ scams have each been handed two-year suspended sentences.
Airmic to have global compliance database ready by September 2013
Airmic is to create a final version of its industry-backed global compliance database by September 2013.
Market moves: Fresh faces for underwriters
As the industry heads into December, underwriting agencies and insurers lead the way in the job market. This week saw major moves at Chubb, More Than and Travelers, while Evolution, Arista and Ink all welcomed new staff. It was another slow week for…
Zurich scores hat trick at risk management awards
Zurich took three accolades at this year’s Risk Management Awards.
Tottenham MP blasts insurer response to riots
Zurich has been forced to defend its alleged “woeful” response to the riots as small businesses fail to “fully understand” how to claim government funding.
Claims - Board representation: Staking a claim
Claims representation at insurer board level may remain a relative rarity — but is it a business critical necessity or a luxury?
Zurich defends “woeful” riot response
Zurich has responded to Labour MP for Tottenham, David Lammy, who told BBC Radio 5 Live yesterday that the response of insurance companies following the riots, particularly Zurich, was "woeful".