Europe
Gefion barred from expanding scope until ‘serious liquidity problems’ sorted
Danish unrated insurer Gefion cannot enter new lines of business or branch out into further territories until it can meet its solvency capital requirement, the regulator has ordered.
Trade Voice: Ozlem Gurses of Bila on insurtechs and fair treatment of consumers
Ozlem Gurses, reader in insurance and commercial law at King’s College London and British Insurance Law Association committee member, asks if the oversight of insurtechs is keeping up with the potential damage to consumer protection that new technology…
Ken Randall to step down from R&Q
R&Q has recruited William Spiegel as executive director and deputy group chairman ahead of co-founder Ken Randall stepping down in around 12 months’ time.
This week in Post: Back to business
With the holiday break over, this week has seen people across the UK – some somewhat sluggishly – get back to business.
Gefion ordered to correct reporting error
Unrated Danish Gefion Insurance has been ordered by the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority to publish information supplementing or correcting the company’s 2018 annual report, after it was adjudged to have wrongly recognised the value of a…
Integro rebranded as Tysers and RFIB deal completes
Integro has completed the rebrand of its trading names as Tysers, having bought the broker in June 2018.
Bought By Many eyes Series C round early this year
Pet insurance insurtech Bought By Many has engaged with a number of larger funds as it edges towards a Series C fundraising round in the coming months, CEO Steven Mendel told Post.
Enough capital in 'asymmetrical' reinsurance market: Guy Carpenter
There was adequate capacity to meet rising demand in the reinsurance sector during the 1 January 2020 renewal period, according to Guy Carpenter, however the results for buyers were mixed depending on a range of factors.
Government pledges to deliver long-term market access for UK and Gibraltar firms
The government will take steps to ensure long-term market access for UK and Gibraltar financial services firms, according to a Queen’s Speech briefing document.
Pukka no longer writing new business with Gefion
Pukka Insure stopped writing new business with Gefion in July, replacing it with two A-rated carriers.
Danish regulator demands action as it identifies ‘serious liquidity problems’ at Gefion
Unrated Danish insurer Gefion Insurance must have liquid assets of at least €5m by the end of the year amid fears by the regulator that the company has “serious liquidity problems.”
ICO procedural errors in handling Eldon/Leave EU investigation exposed
The Information Commissioner’s Office will be hoping that procedural bungles do not jeopardise its proposed audit and fines of Eldon Insurance and Leave EU, after its legal counsel was forced to admit standards had fallen “well below” expectations, Post…
Eldon and Leave EU take a ‘two-faced’ and ‘cavalier’ approach to compliance: ICO
Arron Banks’ group of companies take a “two-faced approach” to regulation and the Information Commissioner’s Office should be allowed to maintain its fines and audit against Leave EU and Eldon, a tribunal heard.
ICO fines and enforcement action ‘significant and novel extension’ of regulatory powers: Eldon and Leave EU
Eldon Insurance and Leave EU fines totalling £105,000 and a data audit against the broker levelled by the Information Commissioner’s Office are “divorced from reality,” a tribunal heard yesterday.
German insurtech Wefox targets UK launch in 2020 after $110m fundraise
Berlin-based insurtech Wefox will be opening an innovation hub in London before the end of the second quarter next year, a spokesperson confirmed to Post after the business raised a further $110m (£83.7m) in its latest funding round.
Lemonade hires chief marketing officer
US-based insurtech Lemonade has hired Jeff Brooks as chief marketing officer.
German insurtech Getsafe plots UK launch
Heidelberg-headquartered Getsafe is planning to launch a contents and liability product in the UK in the first quarter of 2020.
Spotlight: Autonomous Vehicles: Is automation the answer to insurers’ nightmares or a dream come true for thieves?
At every trucking fair and trade publication and in each promotional video the industry is demonstrating the advances in autonomous commercial vehicles
Interview: William Stovin, Markel International
As Markel International gears up for more growth across its national markets business and looks to build on its presence in Europe, Jen Frost spoke to Markel International president William Stovin about the history of the business and why Brexit has…
Blog: Future-proofing the broker model
The insurance market seems stuck on the idea that digitisation and a move to app-based insurance products, will negatively impact brokers. Inzura CEO Richard Jelbert explains why they should be seen as an opportunity instead.
Allianz's Graham Gibson on embracing sustainability
As awareness of the damage we’re doing to our planet grows, sustainability is firmly on the corporate agenda, writes Graham Gibson, chief claims officer at Allianz Insurance. Finding ways to reduce our environmental footprint and safeguard the future for…
Ross: Ardonagh ready and able to strike deals in 2020
Ardonagh Group has a list of 146 potential acquisitions, which it reviews at a fortnightly investment committee, according to CEO David Ross.
Driving out Distraction: Is mobile phone use an addiction insurers should worry about?
On 10 August 2016 Tomasz Kroker was driving a truck on the A34 – ahead of him was a very visible long queue of traffic travelling uphill. The truck was travelling at 50mph, and Kroker made no attempt to reduce speed when he hit the first vehicle driven…
Aviva changes a slow burn story, say analysts
Aviva’s strategic update brought no “major announcements regarding the shape of the group” and “no real significant changes,” according to analysts.