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Editor's comment: Anti-climaxes and last laughs
Based on the column inches of coverage generated by alternative business structures since their advent was announced, the revelation that a mere seven firms have secured such status in a full six months smacks of anticlimax.
Spotlight On Medical & Health: Trial and error
Clinical trials on humans is witnessing great technological advances, but they can be dangerous, as the Te Genero case proved in 2006. With compulsory insurance required, how can insurers manage the risks involved?
Flotation deemed 'only option' for Direct Line Group divestment
Analysts have rubbished recent claims that Direct Line Group could be bought by a private equity house, stating that the insurer has to go ahead with the planned initial public offering to obtain the best price and appease UK taxpayers and the European…
Go Compare annual profit rises 15%
Go Compare's pre-tax profit increased 15% year on year to £34.7m in 2011, while turnover rose to £108.9m (2010: £101.5m).
PE interest to shake up motor insurance market
Growing interest in motor insurance from private equity firms is likely to increase dynamism in the sector, according to Ernst & Young.
Quindell extends Silverbeck agreement
Quindell has broadened its partnership with Silverbeck Rymer to offer a joint outsourcing personal injury product to the UK claims market.
Indian regulator launches consumer education website
The Indian Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority has launched a new website to help educate consumers about insurance matters.
Hundreds of properties evacuated as country is hit by weekend flooding
Up to 500 Lancashire and West Yorkshire properties were evacuated this weekend after a month's worth of rain fell in just 24 hours.
RSA pulls plug on direct motor venture in Czech Republic
RSA is quiting the direct motor insurance business in the Czech Republic.
Indian government outlines uninsured driver crackdown
Indian states have been asked to enforce third-party insurance of all vehicles.
RSA exits Czech motor market
RSA is quiting the direct motor insurance business in the Czech Republic.
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.
Compare the Market makes insurance boss promotion
Compare the Market has promoted Simon McCulloch to director of insurance.
Market moves: New faces in the insurer space
The main movers and shakers this week were insurers, with a number of firms bringing in new faces, including HDI Gerling recruiting a new director, Axa Assistance naming a new deputy chief executive and Dual adding a manager for its new office in Austria.
Loss adjusting: A standards issue
Direct regulation of loss adjusters has been on the agenda for more than a decade but, with Europe ready to step in, is the industry prepared to be governed by forces on the continent?
Gallagher on the hunt for more big deals after transformational Heath buy
Arthur J Gallagher chief executive Pat Gallagher has confirmed his intention to follow up the company's acquisition of Heath Lambert with further transformational deals of similar magnitude.
Editor's comment: A return to fair play needed
As football fanatics finalise viewing details for the Euro 2012 knockout stages - pubs, pints and people to share the excitement with - it's fitting that the theme of this week's big insurance issues is fair play.
Interview: Pat Gallagher and the $5bn plan
Arthur J Gallagher chief executive Pat Gallagher shows no sign of easing up after the acquisition of Heath Lambert 13 months ago, with aggressive growth plans and an eye for further buys.
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.
Age charities warn insurance industry signposting will be scrutinised closely
The effectiveness of the industry's signposting service is expected to come under increased scrutiny from age-related charities, following the Home Office decision to exempt financial services from the incoming Equality Act.
Brightside boss Holman eyes up employee benefits offering
Newly appointed Brightside boss Martyn Holman, pictured, has announced plans to start reviewing the business in the next two weeks and potentially enter new lines including employee benefits.
Delisting ambitious Brightside is easier to do as an outsider, says ex-CEO
Arron Banks, pictured, has said it would have been "troublesome" to delist the broker and subsequently fulfil ambitious growth plans while still working at the business.
One Answer Network to launch commercial and personal lines IT platform for brokers
Broker organisation One Answer Network is launching an IT platform in the fourth quarter which will allow members to trade personal and commercial lines products.
Post Blog: Can affinity marketing really work for insurers and brokers on the aggregators?
It’s hardly surprising why insurers, brokers and affinity groups want their products to appear on the aggregators; when for personal lines, it represents an ever-expanding marketing channel. The rush to the channel has however, recently led to a re…