United Kingdom (UK)
This week in Post: Funds, loyalty and crime
Gift cards may not be very personal, but they are perfect when you are not sure what to get someone. However, if you are anything like me you put them away in a “safe” place and forget to use them in time.
Research: Cyber - is it responding to market needs?
For Insurance Post's latest research project, we're delving into the world of cyber. What is making companies tick at the moment? How are they dealing with threats? What can insurers, brokers and managing agents do to ease the digital journey ahead?
Analysis: Iprism moving beyond Gable
Managing general agent Iprism's latest accounts show profits dived and tens of millions of pounds was wiped off the valuation of the company, following the demise of former unrated insurer partner Gable.
Charlotte Halkett leaves Buzzvault
Buzzvault managing director of insurance product, Charlotte Halkett, is leaving the insurtech.
Iprism and MGU Eaton Gate no longer trading together
Exclusive: Managing general agent Iprism no longer deals with its former director’s managing general underwriter Eaton Gate, Post can reveal
Salvage loopholes need closing to stop car theft
The Association of British Insurers director of general insurance policy James Dalton has urged the salvage trade body to tighten the security of the salvage chain.
Blog: The discount rate review – calling King Solomon
The review of the discount rate will be fraught with moral, ethical and financial hazards. Minster Law's legal services director Rachel Di Clemente explains why those involved in the decision might be wishing for some of King Solomon's wisdom.
FSCS transfers policies of bankrupt Qudos to new providers
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme has revealed that it has worked with a number of brokers to transfer around 165,000 Qudos motor and pet insurance policies to new providers.
Claims Apprentice 2019: Episode 5 - Tech and Innovation
With Discovery taking a two-one advantage following the Talent Recruitment challenge, the apprentices now move onto their fourth and final task in their respective teams.
Covéa Insurance names Carolyn Callan as Simon Cooter’s successor
Covéa Insurance has appointed Carolyn Callan as commercial lines and high net worth director with effect from 1 May.
Rising Star: Ali Pierce, Domestic & General
Listening to the needs of customers while working at Domestic & General's call centre led to Ali Pierce climbing to group head of communications.
Home insurers make 100% of their profits through the 'loyalty penalty': Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice is calling for the FCA to identify concrete solutions to the loyalty penalty as part of its insurance market study, after its research found that 100% of home insurance profits come from loyal customers.
‘Business as usual’ for Eldon as Debenhams enters administration
Debenhams’ holding company has entered administration, but the retailer's policyholders are unaffected according to broker Eldon.
Premiums 'more likely' to edge up despite claims fraud crackdown: Fitch Ratings
Insurers are unlikely to get a profit boost from a reduction in fraudulent claims and are instead expected to use savings to keep premiums down amid surging average claim sizes, according to Fitch Ratings.
FCA pledges crackdown on firms displaying disregard for customer outcomes: updated
The Financial Conduct Authority has warned general insurance firms that it "will not hesitate to intervene" if firms fail to meet their obligations to customers.
Blog: Rethinking underwriting in mobile device insurance
A new folding-screen smartphone is launching in the UK in May and will be the most expensive ever at £1800, but Ross Sinclair, CEO of EIP Insurance Services, says this has huge ramifications for those in the mobile device insurance sector and may prompt…
Blog: Kinsu - Missing the 'kinder' option
As a Londoner exposed to the industry on a daily basis, I doubt I’m alone in finding it difficult not to notice insurance adverts on the underground. And for a time, Kinsu seemed to be very much a staple between your Avivas and your Zurichs.
Time for Ardonagh to ‘grow into its clothes’ as it slices losses and bulks revenues
The Ardonagh Group sliced its losses by 149% in 2018, as CEO David Ross hailed ‘the end of three years limbering up’.
Analysis: Moving the premium finance roadblock for SMEs
The penetration of premium finance into the SME market has been stuck stubbornly in the 40% to 45% range for many years. Could that be about to change as slicker offerings from the main providers and new entrants hit the market just at a time when small…
RSA's David Germain on keeping up with technology
Insurance has a long history but as David Germain, chief technology officer for RSA, explains, the sector still needs to keep up with technology.
Aston Lark completes third acquisition of 2019
Aston Lark has completed its third acquisition of 2019 with the purchase of Jobson James insurance broker and its specialist employee benefits practice Jobson James Consulting.
John Thompson joins Gallagher’s UK executive team
Gallagher has appointed John Thompson as CEO of UK’s specialty London market and wholesale businesses.
Neos partners with American Family Insurance to launch smart home protection service in US
US-based insurer American Family Insurance will deploy Neos smart home technology and related products and services to launch smart home protection service in the US.
Weather hit propels Co-op Insurance Services into loss with Markerstudy deal ahead
Co-op’s general insurance underwriting business, which is being sold to Markerstudy, made a trading loss in 2018.