Zurich Insurance
Penny Black’s insurance week
Penny was impressed to learn Zurich’s commercial broking team is gearing up for a 1000-mile charity bike ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats.
Zurich targets top spot for high net worth
Zurich has unveiled its ambition to become the number one player in the high net worth market in the next three years and hopes broker support will mean it can take on Hiscox and Chubb.
Meehan poised to sign Towergate as Bluefin backs cyber crime product
Former Axa director Paul Meehan has secured the backing of broker group Bluefin to push his just-launched Cyber Protect products and expects to sign up Towergate within the next few weeks to gain access to a total of 3500 brokers.
Market moves: All change at Mondial and Marsh
This week insurers were, once again, the main recruiters with the majority of high profile appointments.
XL scoops bulk of solicitors’ PI market as fewer join assigned risk pool
As capacity in solicitors’ professional indemnity increases, brokers predict XL will be the biggest player in the market, replacing 2010’s top underwriter Chartis.
Groupama CEO Azéma sacked after Fitch and S&P action
A senior rating analyst has played down fears a raft of major European insurers could be on the end of downgrades in the wake of the European Union debt crisis.
Rok - one year on: Bearing up after Rok
When Rok went into administration, insurers had to respond rapidly. One year on, how are they coping and what lessons have they learned?
Nexus hires ex- Zurich chief for director role
Nexus Underwriting Management, parent company and management services company to Torus Executive Risks and Nexus Financial Products has recruited Andre Ford as development director to complement its existing management team.
Market moves: All change at Zurich and Willis
Following a slow period, large insurers made a number of key appointments this week, including major moves at Zurich, Allianz and RSA.
Interview - David McMillan: Bullish about the business
Chief executive of Aviva UKGI, David McMillan is convinced the insurer has turned a corner and is on the path to greater profitability and growth
UK motor insurers cough up for PPO
Insurers are seeing a steady rise in demand for periodic payment orders, backing the findings of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.
Zurich hits Allianz for SME underwriter
Zurich’s has appointed Allianz’s SME underwriter manager Russell Corbould-Warren to the newly created role of head of SME underwriting.
Mitsui completes regional office network roll-out
Mitsui Sumitomo has completed the roll-out of its newly created regional office network with the opening of branches in Belfast and Glasgow and three senior appointments.
Zurich appoints new CUO
Zurich has appointed Nick Major as chief underwriting officer for its global corporate in the UK business area, effective immediately.
Zurich names chief underwriting officer for North America
Zurich has announced Mary Merkel is to replace Time Carter as regional chief underwriting officer for the insurer in North America, with immediate effect.
Market moves - 20 October 2011
This week the main movers and shakers were loss adjusters, with Davies, Woodgate & Clark and Advanta all making major appointments.
Claims event: Seddon: social media use is ‘bonkers’
Using social media in claims handling is “bonkers” and companies risk “shooting themselves in the foot” if they embrace Facebook and Twitter, the insurance industry has been warned.
Broker report reveals Aviva, Chartis and RSA drop in underwriting service
Insurers must do more to boost satisfaction among brokers, according to a Brokerbility survey that suggested Axa is currently the only firm performing above the 80% approval benchmark.
European insurers vie for KBC's Polish Warta
Several European insurers are believed to be in the running to acquire Polish insurance company Warta from Belgium's KBC, according to reports from Polish financial daily, Parkiet.
Axa and Generali in running for HSBC non-life book
European insurers Axa SA and Assicurazioni Generali SpA are thought to have submitted first-round bids for HSBC's non-life insurance business in a deal worth up to $1bn (€728m), Reuters has reported.
Openwork appoints former Zurich CFO
Openwork has today confirmed the appointment of chief financial officer Simon Clifford, who joins the firm from Zurich Financial Services International Life where he held the same position.
Interview - Ann Haugh: Making the right decisions
UK CEO of Zurich Global Corporate Ann Haugh has never been averse to taking risks and reveals her determination to grow the business is as strong as it is strategic.
Market moves: Brokers pick up the pace
Following a quiet fortnight, major players in the broking sector have actively been recruiting this week.
Arab Spring: A little bit of politics
The recent uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa have underlined the narrowness of terrorism policies — but have insureds woken up to the more comprehensive benefits of political violence cover?