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Editor's comment: Insurers must be socially mobile
Joining a party too late can be disastrous. Not least because the early attendees may have drunk the place dry.
Academic paper suggests England learn from Scotland about flood risk prevention
An academic made a splash this week by publishing a paper calling for planners, developers and architects to be held "legally liable when they get it wrong and people are flooded" as a way of preventing further flood plain development.
Fraudulent claims continue to plague insurers, as index shows rise in cases
Location-specific blackspots indicate overall increase in UK insurance fraud
A winning combination: interview with Paulino Fajardo and David Pollitt
Davies Arnold Cooper and Beachcroft merged in late 2011 under the DAC Beachcroft banner. Paulino Fajardo and David Pollitt discuss the tie-up and their plans for the future.
County Insurance hires law firm to advise on broker acquisition spree
The goal set by bosses at the County Insurance Group of buying 10 new brokers over the next five years has moved a stage closer following the appointment of Harrison Drury to advise on a regional acquisition spree.
Admiral COO describes 2011 as a year of two halves as profit hits £299m
Admiral has reported group profit before tax up 13% at £299m in 2011 (2010: £266m) on a turnover up 38% at £2.19bn (2010: £1.58bn).
HSBC sells GI units to Axa and QBE
Axa and HSBC announced today they have entered into an agreement whereby the French insurance giant would acquire the bank's property and casualty businesses in Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico.
CPS investigates 'fraudulent' Autofocus employees
The Crown Prosecution Service has confirmed it is examining the case of the seven Autofocus staff who allegedly doctored credit hire rate evidence.
UK Drainage Network scoops supply chain award
Independent drainage company the UK Drainage Network has received the Co-operative Insurance Claims Supplier of the Year and Supply Chain Collaboration awards at the RSA.
Insurance Insight – top 10 stories
The top 10 stories from www.insuranceinsight.eu over the past seven days.
Markel acquires fine art and collectables business
Markel International has acquired the portfolio of business of Quay Underwriting, a managing agent based in Dorset, UK.
Aggregators dominate Google insurance search rankings
Money Supermarket and Compare the Market are coming out on top in Google search rankings for general insurance, according to online marketing solutions provider Gravytrain.
Direct Line impedes Helphire access to Autofocus evidence
Direct Line has attempted to stop credit hire firm Helphire from accessing Autofocus evidence.
Insurance2go launches spectacles insurance policy
Online insurance brand insurance2go has created an independent glasses insurance policy through its sister website insureyourglasses.
European construction – back to good health?
Construction markets have suffered across the globe with the financial downturn biting hard. Edward Murray investigates whether there are any glimmers of hope for the European market in 2012.
Cuna teams up with Golden Charter on funeral protection
Mutual sector insurance provider Cuna Mutual has partnered up with a non-for-profit to provide affordable funeral protection.
Groupama targets application fraud with data screening process
Groupama is rolling out a new fraud detection system for brokers that targets fraudulent activity at the point of quote.
Asian results help JLT offset difficult European trading period in 2011
Strong retail revenue growth and margins in Asia helped Jardine Lloyd Thompson offset difficult trading environments in Europe and deliver profit before tax of £147.6m for the full-year ending 31 December 2011.
Dexia Bank Belgium rebrands as Belfius Bank & Insurance as it reveals 2011 losses
After reporting a net loss of €1,367m after tax for 2011, Dexia Bank Belgium has rebranded as Belfius Bank & Insurance.
In Series: Emerging Markets - India: a land of opportunity
With the economy in India struggling less than those of its Western counterparts, coupled with a rise in consumerism, the insurance industry has major opportunities open to it
CEA rebrands as Insurance Europe
The CEA, the European insurance and reinsurance federation, is rebranding to become Insurance Europe.
Ai Claims revenue hit by warmer winter weather
Ai Claims has posted a 21% drop in revenue to £47.5m (from £60.1m in December 2010) for the six months to 31 December 2011, citing warmer winter weather and shorter repair times.
In Series: Emerging Markets - The India of today
With the civil society movement setting the agenda against corruption, and a growing middle class, India is a market ripe for insurers.
Telematics: Aggregators - the future of motor insurance
As young drivers are priced out of the market, could the emergence of telematics bring an end to the dominance of the traditional big four aggregators, as others seek to take a share of the market?