United Kingdom (UK)
Construction industry to assess insurance access post-Grenfell
The Construction Industry Council has launched a survey to assess the impact of the Grenfell fire on insurance cover for the construction sector.
Losses expected as Hawaii bunkers down for cat 4 Hurricane
The insurance and reinsurance industry is braced for losses as category 4 Hurricane Lane continues to track towards the islands of Hawaii.
Four family members sentenced for ‘crash for cash’ claims worth over £40,000
Four men have been sentenced for carrying out a series of ‘crash for cash’ frauds, and then claiming against fraudulent insurance policies.
Ardonagh Group reports income boost of 9.1% at H1
The Ardonagh Group has reported income growth of 9.1% as both income and profit climb in the first six months of 2018.
Analysis: How Amazon could make waves in claims
With talk abound of a possible Amazon entry into insurance distribution, what could an Amazon entry into claims look like?
Analysis: Pricing climate risks
As climate change becomes tangible, insurers are feeling the heat. Their understanding of the risks could inform not just their underwriting but also their investment strategies.
Ecclesiastical sees premium up at H1 but profit and COR take a hit
Ecclesiastical saw strong premium growth in the first half of 2018 but pre-tax profit took a 54% nose dive.
Insurance businesses among FSCS list of in default firms
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme has declared nine firms, including three insurance businesses, in default, possibly opening the door for consumers to be compensated for any losses incurred.
Updated: Partner Re firms fined €1.5m for Solvency II breach
The Central Bank of Ireland has fined two Dublin-based subsidiaries of Partner Re €1.54m (£1.35m) for breaches of the European Union regulation on solvency requirements.
One insurance scam seen every minute in 2017
Over half a million attempts at insurance fraud were detected in 2017, equivalent to one fraud every minute.
Liiba urges Prime Minister to rethink post-Brexit equivalence regime for brokers
The London and International Insurance Brokers’ Association has written to the Prime Minister raising concerns over the government’s planned equivalence regime for brokers post-Brexit.
Hannover Re names Swiss Re's Henchoz to replace CEO Wallin
The CEO of Hannover Re, Ulrich Wallin, is to step down and retire from the reinsurance giant in 2019 and will be replaced by Swiss Re’s Jean-Jacques Henchoz.
Regulation of CMCs to cost £16.8m
The cost of regulating claims management companies could be £16.8m with the bill falling on the firms themselves, according to the Financial Conduct Authority.
Blog: How to treat brain and spinal cord injury claims
Insurers face a variety of challenges when dealing with brain and spinal injury claims. Raouf Achour, associate at Horwich Farrelly, lists the latest treatments - and the medico-legal issues attached.
Allianz names Ageas’ Dyson as CFO
Allianz has appointed Fernley Dyson as chief financial officer, with effect from 1 January 2019.
Ageas' Andy Watson on pushing for a realistic Brexit plan
Insurers need to keep pushing their priorities now for an effective Brexit plan, writes Andy Watson, CEO of Ageas UK, urging the industry to work with the government to achieve a realistic negotiating strategy.
2018 H1 insured disaster losses below average at $20bn
Global insured losses from natural catastrophes and man-made disasters during the first half of 2018 were $20bn, 33% below the ten-year average of $35bn, according to Swiss Re Institute's preliminary sigma report.
Lloyd’s managing agents call for greater ILS use
Some 80% of Lloyd’s managing agents would like to see insurance-linked securities become a permanent fixture in the reinsurance and insurance market.
Majority of brokers ‘do not have a succession plan’
One in 10 brokers plan to leave the industry in the next year, yet almost 90% do not have a succession plan in place.
Whiplash rethink urged as motor claims fall
The number of road accident claims fell in the first half of the year, compared to the same period last year.
ERS sees best first half profit performance in five years
Specialist motor insurer ERS has reported its highest first half profit performance in five years.
FSCS has paid out £104m to failed insurer Enterprise customers
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme has paid out £104m in compensation to customers of collapsed unrated insurer Enterprise so far.
Northern Irish hub acquisition pushes GRP’s GWP over £700m
GRP hub Abbey Bond Lovis has acquired a majority share in Northern Irish broker Digney Grant for an undisclosed sum.
XL Catlin's Nicola Harris on why insurers need to change their approach to the energy sector
Challenging times for the oil and gas industry call for a change in the way insurers address energy risks, writes Nicola Harris, head of energy for Europe, Middle East and Africa at XL Catlin.