Personal
Ecclesiastical sees premium up at H1 but profit and COR take a hit
Ecclesiastical saw strong premium growth in the first half of 2018 but pre-tax profit took a 54% nose dive.
Insurance businesses among FSCS list of in default firms
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme has declared nine firms, including three insurance businesses, in default, possibly opening the door for consumers to be compensated for any losses incurred.
One insurance scam seen every minute in 2017
Over half a million attempts at insurance fraud were detected in 2017, equivalent to one fraud every minute.
Regulation of CMCs to cost £16.8m
The cost of regulating claims management companies could be £16.8m with the bill falling on the firms themselves, according to the Financial Conduct Authority.
Blog: How to treat brain and spinal cord injury claims
Insurers face a variety of challenges when dealing with brain and spinal injury claims. Raouf Achour, associate at Horwich Farrelly, lists the latest treatments - and the medico-legal issues attached.
Japanese flood losses pegged at $4bn
Insured losses from the June and July flooding in western Japan could total up to $4bn (£3.2bn), according to catastrophe modelling firm Air Worldwide.
Ageas' Andy Watson on pushing for a realistic Brexit plan
Insurers need to keep pushing their priorities now for an effective Brexit plan, writes Andy Watson, CEO of Ageas UK, urging the industry to work with the government to achieve a realistic negotiating strategy.
Zhong An eyes international expansion with latest Softbank investment
Zhong An will look to expand its business outside China, following an undisclosed investment in subsidiary Zhong An International by Softbank’s Vision Fund.
Top 30 European insurers 2018: A year of steady growth for insurers
Overall, top-line growth for the 30 largest European insurers has been steady, reflecting the underlying economic conditions throughout Europe, explain Tim Prince and Yvette Essen, director of analytics and director of research at AM Best
Whiplash rethink urged as motor claims fall
The number of road accident claims fell in the first half of the year, compared to the same period last year.
This week in Post: Washouts and windfalls
When you head off to an outdoor festival following a heatwave, you cross your fingers and hope the sun sticks around. Unfortunately it seems like the recent tropical spate has done a runner and I spent last weekend trying not to roll down a hill while up…
ERS sees best first half profit performance in five years
Specialist motor insurer ERS has reported its highest first half profit performance in five years.
FSCS has paid out £104m to failed insurer Enterprise customers
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme has paid out £104m in compensation to customers of collapsed unrated insurer Enterprise so far.
Northern Irish hub acquisition pushes GRP’s GWP over £700m
GRP hub Abbey Bond Lovis has acquired a majority share in Northern Irish broker Digney Grant for an undisclosed sum.
Blog: Got your A-level results? Check out insurance apprenticeships
On A-level results day, Carmen McDonagh, operations director at Complete Cover Group, urges school leavers to consider an insurance apprenticeship.
Blog: Open banking offers a new insurance distribution channel
Some might have already labelled it a failure but open banking will continue to evolve and insurers should sit up and take notice. That is the view of The Marketing Eye's Neil Edwards, who believes these platforms could eliminate form filling and make…
UK becomes EU capital of private equity-backed insurance M&A
The UK has seen 28 private equity deals in insurance over the past 18 months, half of total number in Europe.
Admiral delivers UK growth and builds on its European Brexit preparations
Admiral will begin running its European insurance operations from Spain from the beginning of 2019, having received approval earlier this year.
Esure looks for 'new type of leader' following Bain takeover
Esure is looking for a digital-savvy CEO from outside the industry, who will lead a transformation programme when Bain Capital takes ownership at the end of the year.
Esure receives £1.17bn takeover bid
Esure has received a takeover bid which would see the insurer valued at £1.17bn.
FSCS arranges alternative cover for Alpha policyholders
UK policyholders with failed Danish insurer Alpha have been provided alternative cover via the guarantee scheme.
Broker Network makes seventh ‘powerhouse’ acquisition
Broker Network has bought North West broker MCM, which will form the company’s seventh “regional powerhouse”.
Heatwave leaves homes a tinderbox as fire claims rise
The heatwave that engulfed the UK in July led to a 62% increase in fire claims, according to a loss adjuster firm.
This Week in Post: Data, dissuasion and dirty toddlers
When my two-year-old licked the sole of her shoe, I tried not to laugh as that might encourage her. But she caught my badly repressed smile and… licked the second shoe. So much for deterrence.