United Kingdom (UK)
Thomas Cook collapse drives bad debt claims to record levels
Trade credit insurers received a record £271m in claims during the third quarter of 2019, driven by the demise of Thomas Cook, according to the Association of British Insurers
Radius Payment Solutions confirms redundancies as it pivots insurance operations to Sheffield
Exclusive: Radius Payment Solutions has made a Crewe-based team within its insurance division redundant as it looks to consolidate its insurance operations in the offices of Sheffield-based Burley Group, which it acquired last year.
Insurers need to address ‘significant risks of harm’, says FCA
Several “significant” key risks of harm have been highlighted by the Financial Conduct Authority in an update to insurer boards.
Ransomware attack victim Travelex has cyber insurance
Foreign exchange provider Travelex, which has been offline since New Year’s Eve after a cyber attack, has cyber insurance in place.
Blog: High-end watch claims - can you replace a Rolex?
In a world dominated by smart technology, old-fashioned timepieces are bucking the trend with high demand. Alex Wakefield, executive adjuster at McLarens Private Clients, explains that brokers and loss adjusters need to keep aware of market appreciation…
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.
McLarens appoints UK construction and engineering head
McLarens has appointed Mark Simmons to head up UK construction and engineering team, replacing Peter Scott who moves into the new role of construction and engineering technical lead.
CII warns regulators that 'digital breadcrumbs' can’t replace human insight
The Chartered Insurance Institute has urged regulators to take caution as they adopt an increasingly data-driven approach to policing the financial services sector, warning “digital breadcrumbs” can’t replace human insight.
Rightindem appoints Amanda Blanc as chair
Amanda Blanc has joined digital claims provider Rightindem as non-executive chair of the board of directors.
Blog: Insurtechs won’t eat your lunch, but they will pull up a seat at the table
Increased collaboration means insurers no longer need to worry about insurtechs taking their market share but Laura Drabik, chief evangelist at Guidewire Software, explains this integration must be done correctly or the market will face unhappy customers…
Esure appoints CFO
Esure has appointed Peter Bole as chief financial officer, succeeding interim CFO Steve Long who held the position since January 2018.
FCA unveils reforms to become highly data-driven
The Financial Conduct Authority has refreshed its Data Strategy, first published in 2013, and set out a “transformation plan” to become a highly data-driven regulator.
FCA fires warning shot on insurance culture and misconduct
Insurance firms must be proactive in tackling “unhealthy” culture issues and misconduct, the Financial Conduct Authority has warned CEOs.
Martin Kelsh joins HW Wood
Martin Kelsh, the former production and distribution director of Neon, has joined Lloyd’s broker HW Wood as head of the international non-marine team.
Neon goes into run-off
Neon Underwriting has been put into run-off by owner American Financial Group.
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.
Zurich's David Nichols on building flood resilient communities
As flood events become more common, the industry and government need to do more to explain flood terminology and the flood resilience grant scheme needs a complete overhaul, according to David Nichols, chief claims officer at Zurich.
Bollington buys Ashgrove
Bollington Insurance has bought North-West based broker Ashgrove Insurance Services for an undisclosed sum.
Pool Re broadens SME business interruption coverage
Pool Re has expanded its definition of SMEs to include firms with assets up to £5m, increasing the number eligible for its business interruption cover at no extra cost.
Government bolsters fund for flood-hit farmers by £2m
The government has added £2m to a fund to help farmers who suffered "uninsurable" damage during last year’s floods.
GRP's 2019 acquisition spend revealed
Loss-making GRP, which posted its third consecutive loss last month, acquired ten businesses last year for a total cost of £68.8m.
Be Wiser promotes Sharon Beckett to CEO with Bower-Dyke as chairman
Sharon Beckett has been promoted to CEO of Be Wiser, with Mark Bower-Dyke ending his dual role at the broker and remaining as chairman.
Amanda Blanc joins Laka
Former Zurich EMEA CEO and Axa UK and Ireland CEO Amanda Blanc has joined insurtech Laka, Post can reveal.
Blog: The stigma of stigma
This weekend we will see the first same sex couple on Dancing on Ice as Steps singer H dons his skates with partner American pro-skater Matt Evers. This comes weeks after rival reality TV show Strictly Come Dancing featured a same sex couple's routine in…