Post - 2010-03-04
Articles in this issue
Ex-Towergate boss to target US market
British Insurance founder Simon Burgess has left the Towergate-owned company to set up an income protection insurance firm in the US.
Cunningham Lindsey in staff pensions consultation
Loss adjuster firm Cunningham Lindsey is in consultation with staff over plans to close its final salary pension scheme to more than 300 members, Post has learnt.
£3m pledged by ABI to help research asbestos
Insurers have pledged £3m to support research by the Ministry of Justice into asbestos- related diseases.
Former AIG boss unveils start-up
A personal lines underwriting agency, Halo Insurance, has been launched by AIG's former personal lines boss. It aims to provide niche products for the wholesale and retail markets.
RSA seeks credit hire efficiency
RSA is exploring the use of bilateral agreements as way to drive efficiency into credit hire arrangements.
Lloyd's players on IPL terrorism cover
A policy covering the risk of terrorism during the Indian Premier League thought to be worth $1.5m (£1m) in premium will be placed on the Lloyd's market, Post has learnt.
Howden seeks Oval or HSBC-sized broker takeover move
Howden is on the lookout for a "sizeable" acquisition, comparable to HSBC Insurance Brokers and Oval, to enable it to compete as a retail broker in the UK market.
RBSI catches a claims "cold"
Royal Bank of Scotland Insurance has reported its first ever quarterly loss during the last three months of 2009, blaming the "industry phenomenon" of the UK claims environment for a £170m hit.
Admiral: no sacred cows
Admiral has admitted there are "no sacred cows" among its burgeoning international operation, but that it remains committed to the loss making insurance businesses for now.
Allianz ups motor rates by 24% in 2009
Allianz's UK profit rose 5.2% to £203.7m in 2009 despite a 5.4% fall in gross written premium in its retail division to £579.9m as a result of corrective action on private motor rates, which increased by almost a quarter.
Editor's comment: A declaration of intent
The unveiling of the Aldermanbury Declaration could mark a turning point for the insurance sector.
Brit plans global expansion
Brit Insurance plans to take stock of its global presence in 2011, once it is firmly established in the US and Japan.
Hiscox despairs over Tory FSA proposal
Hiscox's chairman has credited a three-fold increase in annual profits on responsible investment strategy, a cautious approach to underwriting catastrophe-exposed risk and a benign mother nature.
View from the top: Election outcomes
With opinion polls suggesting the margin has narrowed to as little as 7% between the Conservatives and the Labour Party, all eyes are on the coming general election.
Amlin bolstered by acquisition return
Amlin's acquisition of Fortis group's Benelux-based corporate insurance operations contributed to the Lloyd's insurer reporting a record pre-tax profit of £509.1m in 2009 — up from £121.6m in 2008.
IAG profits tumble in first half results
Profit at IAG's UK operation fell A$53m (£32m) to A$22m in the second half of 2009, compared to a year earlier.
Alway: SBJ experience makes Capital Z a good investor
Jelf has outlined plans to use funds from its share issue and a new debt facility to fund a renewed acquisition drive.
Biba looks to reintroduce midwife cover
The British Insurance Brokers' Association is poised to enter talks with the three members of its professional indemnity broker panel to reintroduce cover for independent midwives.
North of the Border: one action in respect of one wrong principle confirmed
Scotland's Court of Appeal confirms principle that a claimant can have only one action in respect of one wrong.
Helphire in talks to cut non-GTA deals
Credit hire operator Helphire has revealed it will complete scaling down its business by June, after posting a loss of £400 000 in the second half of 2009.
CFC and Crawford link up for claims admin
CFC Underwriting and Crawford & Company have formed a strategic partnership to deliver a claims administration interface for CFC's brokers and its clients.
Election 2010: Interview - Stewart Hosie MP, the SNP
In the second of Post's six-part profile on all the major parties, Jonathan Swift talks to MP Stewart Hosie, the SNP spokesman on finance and Treasury matters, about the party's plans and priorities.
Broker Focus - International Networks: Rings around the world
Joining an international network can bring huge advantages for a UK-based broker. Rachel Gordon reports on the benefits involved.
Broker Technology - Motor: Making IT accurate
The British Insurance Brokers' Association is urging its members to sign up to DVLA vehicle registration validation technology. Stephanie Denton looks at why 80% of regional brokers don't use it.
Rehabilitation - Multi-track: A patchwork of approaches
How can insurers and lawyers improve the rehabilitation process for those who have suffered serious injuries? Andrew Underwood looks at the advances made in this field.
Resignations rise as employers fail to meet expectations
Amid high unemployment and an increasingly unstable job market, it would be easy to assume people are clinging desperately to their jobs, fearful that if they try to make a career move they will find themselves out of work.
Cunningham Lindsey extends training course
Cunningham Lindsey UK has extended its initiative to boost the number of Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters associates among its ranks.
Chubb dressed for success
Chubb Insurance's European learning and development manager Lynn Twinn attended a reception at Downing Street last week, to celebrate the 10th birthday of charity Dress for Success.
IGI retains IIP status
IGI Legal Assist will retain its Investors in People status after successfully meeting the required standard for the third time running.
CII calls for focus on trust
The Chartered Insurance Institute has called for financial services companies to make more effort at trying to improve public trust in the sector.
Penny black's insurance week
Penny was fortunate to go along with a host of insurers and brokers to the Prince's Trust Celebrate Success Awards at The Odeon Leicester Square this week, as part of its Insurance Leadership Group.
Postscript - 30 years ago: Highest fire figures are disclosed
The highest total ever recorded in one month for the estimated cost of fire damage in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) was disclosed in the British Insurance Association's recent figures as the total reached £58.5m.
Postscript - 20 years ago: J&H given Olympic contract
Lloyd's broker Johnson & Higgins has been awarded the reinsurance contract for the 1992 summer Olympics in Barcelona.
Postscript - 5 years ago: Government to step in over claims
The government has decided to take steps to police the claims management sector, with the Department for Constitutional Affairs expected to unveil its plans in the next fortnight.