United Kingdom (UK)
Jelf to rebrand as Marsh Commercial amid restructure
Marsh will rename its Jelf business Marsh Commercial in the first quarter of 2020, with potential branch closures as a result of an organisational restructure.
Insurance stalwart David Palmer passes away
David Palmer, a well-known industry figure in the 80s and a past master of the Worshipful Company of Insurers has died. He was 92.
Gefion faces further recapitalisation delays
Danish insurer Gefion has further pushed back its expected timeline for a capital injection in the business, following an order by the regulator that it cannot expand into further territories until it bulks up its coffers.
CII launches online personal lines course
The Chartered Insurance Institute has developed a web-based course, focusing on personal lines insurance.
QBE's Cécile Fresneau on turning data into actionable information
While as an industry we hold large volumes of data and information, actually having valuable, reliable, timely data that is informative and can be turned into insight and action is a different thing altogether, particularly in an industry where many of…
Guy Carpenter senior boss fired over 'glazed ring' incident
James Conmy, senior VP for marine and energy at Guy Carpenter, has been fired for gross misconduct after sending a team email that contained sexually suggestive comments about a female member of staff.
Nexus appoints ex-Aviva boss to its board
Nexus Group has appointed Andrew Moss as an independent non-executive chairperson on the Nexus Underwriting Management main board as part of its strategic growth plan.
David Priebe appointed as Guy Carpenter chairman
Marsh sister company Guy Carpenter has appointed David Priebe as chairman, effective immediately.
Analysis: Trampoline parks – on an upward trajectory for insurance?
To borrow an analogy from Forrest Gump’s mother, writing about insurance can be like a box of chocolates – you never know what you’re gonna get. On the topic of trampolines, an assortment of ‘no comments’ left a rather nasty taste
Government consults on compulsory sprinklers for shorter high-rises
The government has proposed reducing the building height over which the installation of sprinklers are mandatory from 30 metres to 18 metres.
This month: A long road ahead
It’s been a topsy-turvy month in Parliament and this week a bill was passed by MPs aiming to block a no-deal exit from the European Union. But as the UK continues to face uncertainties over Brexit, across the pond this month we saw scenes of destruction…
Insurer admits graduate's £61,000 'Mickey Mouse degree' pay-out was an oversight
Anglia Ruskin’s insurer has apologised to the university, after an “oversight” by solicitors meant a graduate was paid £61,000 over her “Mickey Mouse degree” claim without the insured being consulted.
FCA delays publication of dual pricing market study report until October
The publication of the hotly-anticipated interim report on the Financial Conduct Authority’s market study of general insurance pricing practices that was expected this summer has been delayed until October.
Government extends Medco for small RTA claims
The industry has welcomed the government’s response to a consultation into the future provision of medical reports.
Gallagher acquires lettings and landlord specialists RGA Group
Gallagher has acquired RGA Group, a lettings and landlord broker based in Brentford, marking a return to acquisitions eight months on from its acquisition of Stackhouse Poland.
Cornish Mutual managing director Alan Goddard to retire
Cornish Mutual managing director Alan Goddard will retire from the role in December after 15 years.
Penny Black's Social World: September 2019
Memory Walk, dazzling dress up and the Silver Line cycle
Hiscox names Richard Watson’s successor
Hiscox appointed Joanne Musselle as group chief underwriting officer, as Richard Watson steps down.
FCA raises alarm over two unauthorised firms using social media
The Financial Conduct Authority has alerted consumers to two unauthorised insurance firms offering car insurance in the UK.
Blog: Contents insurance - meeting the needs of generation rent
The rental market in the UK is changing and it's changing fast. As house prices go through the roof, owning a place has become a pipedream for the younger generation, writes Stephen Cowap, head of insurance at Urban Jungle.
Analysis: Should the government revise the deadline for the whiplash portal?
The small claims portal is due to enter its testing phase in October, before officially launching in April 2020. However, many in the industry are concerned that the proposed deadline is not feasible, given the lack of clarity from the government
Motor premiums could be slashed by 60% from driverless cars
Adoption of autonomous vehicles could wipe 60% off motor premiums, lawyers have said.
Editor's comment: Is it safe to cross the personal injury line?
Historians argue over the origin of the word deadline but several online etymology dictionaries claim the term might have been influenced by use of the word in 1864 to mean the “do-not-cross line” in Civil War prisons in the US.
Interview: Huw Evans, ABI director general
The industry faces heavy scrutiny from regulators and the government over pricing practices and personal injury reform, all while reeling from the prospect of a looming Brexit. Huw Evans, Association of British Insurers director general, spoke to Jen…