United Kingdom (UK)
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.
Blog: How insurers can maximise the value of data
Data is now in vogue for the insurance industry and Mike Smart, business development director at BAE Systems Applied Intelligence, explains why data scientists are going to be much sought out in the future.
Esure's Peter Wood admits 'disappointing result' as insurer sees a loss of £15.4m for 2018
Motor-heavy Esure faced a “disappointing” year that saw claims costs mount and its solvency coverage ratio dip.
Biba supports FCA’s multi-lateral approach to signposting service for people with pre-existing medical conditions
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association believes it ‘has a significant role to play’ in the Financial Conduct Authority’s approach to signposting initiative.
This Month: Figures, finalists and fools
Our cover interview for April features Amanda Blanc’s move from Axa to Zurich which was perhaps the most talked about people move of 2018. The Association of British Insurers' chair spoke to Jen Frost about her plans for the business in the coming year.
Whiplash reforms drive £100 fall in car insurance premiums over last quarter
Car insurance premiums fell by £100 between December and February due to whiplash reforms and a six-month reduction in the number of car registrations, according to analysis by Comparethemarket.
Blog: Why equine and livestock risks could cause insurers to lose more than their shirts
The outbreak of equine flu across the UK during January and February grabbed the headlines but, despite this, it was always unlikely to be a major concern for equine insurers, argues Graham Plaister, livestock and equine specialist at Sedgwick…
Special report: Industry gender pay gap shows little change
Exclusive: The industry’s gender pay gap numbers remain relatively static, with experts warning that it could be up to a decade before the impact of recent diversity initiatives are reflected in the numbers.
Speed limiters in cars 'could create insurance gap'
Exclusive: The government should close legal loopholes which could prevent owners of vehicles installed with mandatory speed limiters from claiming on their motor insurance, lawyers have warned.
Claims Apprentice 2019: Episode 4 - Talent Recruitment
With Team Discovery levelling the scores after the diversity and inclusion challenge last week, the apprentices now move onto their third task.
Trade voice: James Dalton on embracing diversity in insurance
In order to reflect the diverse communities UK insurers serve the insurance industry needs to continue to make progress towards creating a truly diverse and inclusive workforce, especially at executive and board level, explains James Dalton, director for…
Penny Black's Social World: April 2019
A battle of wits and words, breaking world records and investing in future generations