Personal
Direct Line Group posts 7% profit increase in first results as standalone
As the deadline for Direct Line Group's anticipated flotation approaches, the insurance business posted a 7% jump in operating profit to £224.2m for the first six months of the year and revealed it has set a target of 15% return on tangible equity.
Foil backs ABI's stance on 'illogical' damages rise
The Court of Appeal's decision to effectively bring forward a 10% rise in damages from April has been branded "illogical" by the Forum of Insurance Lawyers, echoing concerns already raised by the Association of British Insurers.
Aviva urges government action on whiplash after Westminster meeting
Aviva claims director Dominic Clayden has called for the government to increase the small claims limit on whiplash cases to £5 000 just hours after attending a meeting with industry bosses and the Transport Select Committee.
Esure profit up despite £8m flood loss
Esure has reported £60.2m in operating profit in the six months ended 30 June 2012 (H1 2011: £41.3m) and improvements to its loss ratio and combined operating ratio, despite the June floods adding £8m losses and 3.4% to the COR.
Editor's comment: Rebuilding and reshuffling
Only last week, Zurich's personal lines chief Karl Bedlow was telling Post readers that agility is the difference between a gold medal and last place in his 'View from the top' column.
Interview: Carl Beardmore - from vision to fruition
BMS chief executive Carl Beardmore believes he is on track in transforming a broker that was 'flat lining' into a company generating more than £100m a year.
Industry to feel effects of Cabinet reshuffle after Treasury chief exit
The departure of Mark Hoban from his Treasury post as finance secretary will affect the progress of all areas of insurance-related issues, according to industry insiders.
Post magazine - 6 September 2012
The latest issue of Post is now available to subscribers as a digital and interactive e-book.
Direct Line confirms redundancies
Direct Line Group has confirmed approximately 890 proposed redundancies across the business as part of a drive to cut costs by £100m.
Whiplash on the Westminster agenda
Insurance industry claims bosses are heading to Westminster this afternoon to discuss whiplash at a meeting organised by the Transport Select Committee.
Commercial properties to become squatter target, policyholders warned
Commercial property owners have been warned that more squatters could attempt to bed down in their unoccupied buildings now that it is a criminal offence to trespass on residential properties.
Regulator to review "rotten" incentive schemes
Financial Services Authority managing director Martin Wheatley has laid out plans to stamp out mis-selling created by sales incentives that result in customers being sold products they do not need or cannot use.
Keelan Westall boosts underwriting team with new starters
Wholesale property insurance broker Keelan Westall has set out to strengthen its technical expertise with a series of key appointments within its underwriting agency.
Zurich personal lines MD resigns
Zurich personal lines managing director Karl Bedlow, pictured, has resigned from the firm with immediate effect.
Quindell to support substantial growth with further outsourcing deals
Quindell chief executive Rob Terry is targeting bottom line growth of up to 25% over each of the next five years, after his firm increased revenue from £1.8m last year to £45.6m in the first half of 2012.
Webinar - 6 September, 3:00pm: Analysing emerging fraud trends
As legislation and industry initiatives make conventional types of fraudulent claims more detectable, insurance fraud is constantly taking new forms.
Kiln brings in property underwriter to support Europe focus
Kiln has recruited a new property underwriter in Frankfurt to write a range of property and facultative risks across Europe.
Autonet joins The Insurers' car insurance panel
Autonet Insurance has joined the car insurance panel with UK comparison site The Insurers, adding to its existing presence on the van and bike panel with the aggregator.
ABI to contest legal decision to bring forward 10% damages rise
The Association of British Insurers has requested a review of the Court of Appeal's decision to bring forward a rise in damages by 10% from April next year.
AGCS boosts Africa footprint with new hire
Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty is to establish a local presence in sub-Saharan Africa with the appointment of Delphine Maidou, pictured, as chief executive of its regional subsidiary AGCS of Africa.
Questgates snaps up third Merlin adjuster ahead of Scottish market push
Questgates has underlined its Scottish presence by opening an office in Livingston and recruiting former Merlin adjuster Ashley Clancy to bolster its team north of the border.
DLG 'essentially' operating as a standalone business, claims Geddes
Direct Line Group chief executive Paul Geddes believes the business has "essentially achieved its goal" of operating as a standalone company, following the news it has set a return on tangible equity target of 15%.
Open GI appoints regional account manager for south east
Systems provider Open GI has appointed former accident management company boss Matthew Scott to the role of account manager for the south east region.
Garwyn: Portal extension could see drop-out rate soar to 80%
Garwyn's chief executive has estimated that up to 80% of claims could fall out of the RTA Portal if it is extended to employers' and public liability in its current form.