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Editor's comment: Year of action on climate change
While pandemics have been predicted for some time it’s fair to say not many people had foreseen an almost global lockdown, a workforce at home and a virus that affects every walk of life.
Top 30 European Insurers 2020: A year of profit
The top 30 European insurers saw growth in non-life premiums in 2019 and overall profit after tax was significantly higher than in 2018. Mathilde Jakobsen, director, analytics, AM Best, explains what the market is facing
Interview: Ant Middle, Ageas
Ant Middle, UK CEO of Ageas, talks to Stephanie Denton about restructuring, refocusing and remaining positive throughout the challenges thrown up by 2020 so far
Saga confirms £150m raise with ex-owner Sir Roger De Haan returning as chairman
Sir Roger De Haan, the former owner of Saga, is set to invest up to £100m in the business as it seeks to raise £150m through a share placement.
AA secures four week extension for takeover talks
The three groups eyeing up a takeover of the AA have been given an extra 28 days to make an offer for the business with the deadline moved back from today.
Future Focus 2030: The climate change podcast
It is the year 2030. The focus on climate change continued to gather momentum throughout the 2020s. But despite pressure to bring the date forward the UK government is still committed to helping reduce gas emission to net zero by 2050.
Insurer home and motor pledges to continue until end of October
Home and motor insurance pledges made by the Association of British Insurers to support customers during the Covid-19 crisis will remain in place until at least 31 October following an extension.
Bupa’s Alex Perry on risk and insurance in a post-Covid world
The sector has shown how well it can quickly adapt its services to care for customers, says Alex Perry, CEO of Bupa Insurance UK, but it must also learn from the pandemic crisis and plan for the next big event.
Analysis: Covid-19 event cancellations
Following the Covid-19 outbreak live events across the world had to be postponed or cancelled due to fears for public health and safety. Multibillion-dollar losses as a result of coronavirus has put the contingency market under the spotlight, while…
Storm Francis eyes UK as August weather claims continue
The Met Office has issued further wind and rain warnings for today as storm Francis hits the UK, while the impact of Scottish floods continues to be felt.
Blog: Trak Global's Nick Corrie on why telematics is more about crashing, not driving
Telematics have proved their worth in the aviation sector but Nick Corrie, CEO at Trak Global, explains how with the pandemic changing driving behaviours more drivers want these black boxes on their side when it comes to motor claims.
Automated lane keeping systems advent raises insurance challenges
Insurers have welcomed the government’s consultation into the safe use of automated lane keeping systems in vehicles but warned against making the “huge leap” of believing this “clever bit of technology” is the same as an automated car.
Competition watchdog opens inquiry into Bupa’s CS Healthcare takeover
The Competition and Markets Authority has opened an inquiry into Bupa Insurance’s proposed merger with CS Healthcare, a Friendly Society with approximately 18,500 members originally set up in 1929 to provide health insurance cover for members of the UK…
Analysis: Why falling premiums do not mean clear cut savings for motorists
Falling average motor premiums may represent less significant savings for individual consumers than at first glance, experts have cautioned, while a swift return to pre-Covid motor premium levels is "not inevitable."
Interview: Craig Thornton, Lloyds Banking Group and ABI
In June, Craig Thornton, general insurance and protection director at Lloyds Banking Group, was announced as the chair of the Association of British Insurers’ General Insurance Council, replacing Andy Watson as he stood down as CEO of Ageas UK.
Direct Line told to pay former employee £37,000 for unfair dismissal
Direct Line has been ordered to pay £36,998 to a former employee who claimed they were unfairly dismissed, Post has learned.
Sabre chairman Patrick Snowball’s successor named as Andrew Pomfret
Sabre senior independent director Andy Pomfret will take over from the insurer’s chairman Patrick Snowball at the beginning of September.
Briefing: Fine tuning the risk in Ardonagh’s deal for Bennetts
Ardonagh’s decision to roar ahead with the takeover of motorcycle specialist Bennetts less than a fortnight ago raised a few eyebrows, but really it should not have done.
Analysis: A tale of two mutuals
Eleven days apart in June, two of the UK’s mutual insurers – Police Mutual and LV – made announcements regarding their futures. Their decisions herald challenging times for the mutual model.
Zurich UK reports £140m of Covid-19 claims as it posts H1 loss
Zurich’s UK general insurance business faced £140m in Covid-19 related claims across travel, event cancellation and business interruption lines in the first half of 2020.
Analysis: The serious injury claims cycle under Covid-19
While the serious injury claims cycle faced delays during the start of the pandemic, time pressures are now “easing” as care providers find ways to adapt.
Admiral facing 'difficult call' on claims frequency and inflation
Admiral has said it faces a “difficult call” with regard to whether or not claims frequency will return to pre-pandemic levels this year, reporting that it saw a 3-4% increase in road accidents last week alone.
FCA extends payment deferral guidance timeframe
The Financial Conduct Authority has kept the temporary measures to help insurance customers hit by the Covid-19 crisis in place until the end of October.
Claims Apprentice 2020: Episode five - Cyber challenge
With the country in Covid-19 lockdown the five remaining apprentices are given their latest task through the means of video conferencing.