United Kingdom (UK)
Insurers accused of profiting from limitation law in child abuse cases as review concludes
In the closing statements of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse proceedings insurers were accused of profiting from limitation law and withholding payments even when convictions were made, as survivors urged for changes to the law and a…
MIB uninsured drivers scheme mooted as template for child abuse compensation payouts
A model similar to the Motor Insurers' Bureau's untraced and uninsured drivers payout scheme has been suggested as one way survivors of institutional child sexual abuse could be compensated.
Beazley aims to halve costs as COR creeps up in 2019
Beazley hopes to slash its expense ratio in half as a result of the proposed widespread reform of the Lloyd’s market and internal investment in automating simpler classes of business.
Andy Fairchild to lead Applied in UK
Former Broker Network CEO Andy Fairchild has been appointed to the newly created role of CEO of Applied Systems Europe.
Blog: What are the implications of increased ground aviation collision claims for insurers?
An aircraft can land smoothly in fog at 160 knots directly on the centreline and not run off a runway, but there are still slow speed collisions on the ground explains John Bayley, regional director for Europe and Russia at McLarens Aviation.
Penny Black's Social World: February 2020
Creative & Innovation Awards, managing flood risk and recognising carers
Editor's comment: The lesser-spotted hard market
The world has long held a fascination with mythical beasts and the younger generation is picking up the passion with Smallfoot, Abominable and Missing Link the latest in a long line of films to encourage children to believe in the magic of the Yeti or…
Analysis: Reinsurance hikes add to motor pricing pressure
The UK motor market had the unwanted title of the biggest riser in the annual global reinsurance renewal season this January, adding another reason for intense scrutiny on insurance pricing in the loss-making sector
Staveley Head enters administration after insurer contract 'prematurely terminated'
Managing general agent Staveley Head, known to have used Gefion and Qudos capacity, has entered administration.
Crawford appoints Caroline Poppleton as D&I inclusion leader in UK
Caroline Poppleton has been appointed diversity and inclusion leader for Crawford’s UK operation alongside her current role as head of business development.
Former Skyscanner chief Rice-Jones to chair Admiral’s aggregator network
Admiral-owned Penguin Portals Limited has picked up ex-Skyscanner chair Margaret Rice-Jones as board leader of the aggregator network.
Ex UK General boss Karen Beales made MD at Financial & Legal
Former UK General CEO Karen Beales has been appointed managing director of Financial & Legal Insurance, replacing Mike Timmons who has stepped down.
M&A volume grows in 2019 but mid-sized targets scarce
Exclusive: The number of UK insurance distribution mergers and acquisitions rose from 82 in 2018 to 93 last year, driven by a surge in deals valued under £5m, industry specialists Imas Corporate Finance has revealed.
Blog: Insuring the essential - why assistive technologies should be the next focus for insurers
There are 14 million disabled people living in the UK and, for many, assistive technologies – devices and software that support their day-to-day activity – are a real lifeline writes Johnny Timpson, protection specialist at Scottish Widows.
Interview: Scott Walchek, Trov
One of the original insurtech poster children, Trov recently pulled its personal lines offering in the UK and quickly followed this up by partnering with Lloyds and Halifax on renters’ insurance. Trov CEO and co-founder Scott Walchek sat down with Jen…
Insurer concerns on lenders' insurance requirements
Allianz has called on brokers to be more proactive in discussing the implications of financing agreements on clients’ insurance policies, warning that the conditions being requested by lenders are becoming increasingly onerous.
Ageas' Ant Middle on why good brokers are like chameleons
Tough trading environments are not unusual but the challenges they present have led me to reflect on what differentiates successful businesses from those that flounder. And a lot can be learned from insurance brokers, writes Ant Middle chief customer…
Ecclesiastical faces fresh allegations of unethical treatment as case of ‘suicide watch’ claimant comes to light
Exclusive: Ecclesiastical’s CEO Mark Hews is being called upon to ‘put his house in order’ after experts have been left shocked and appalled at the ‘unethical’ practice of desktopping an abuse victim on suicide watch labelling it ‘shameful’ and ‘very…
Whiplash claims process not yet 'fit-for-purpose'
Without judicial rules in place, the claims portal is just a “smart-looking tin with nothing in it”, cautions trade body.
Aviva's Colm Holmes warns distracted driving is causing claims inflation
Aviva general insurance CEO Colm Holmes has said that claims inflation is far exceeding expectations, pinning the blame on poor driving.
'Massive opportunity' for more acquisitions, says incoming GRP CEO Bruce
Global Risk Partners will continue with its focus on regional broker acquisitions, buying niche managing general agents and developing its wholesale business, incoming group CEO Mike Bruce told Post as New York-headquartered PE firm Searchlight Capital…
Searchlight to buy majority stake in GRP
Searchlight Capital Partners is buying a majority stake in consolidator Global Risk Partners.
Motor Mouth Podcast 2: Back to the Future! What will the future car mean for motor insurers?
In the second of our series of podcasts with Motor Insurance World speakers David Williams, managing director of underwriting and technical services at Axa, is interviewed by Post’s content director Jonathan Swift, outlining what challenges insurers can…
Analysis: Rise of the clones
Insurance clone warnings doubled last year, as fraudsters got creative in their attempts to scam the public. Post investigates the rise of the clones and asks why it is so tough to police these fraudulent firms