United Kingdom (UK)
GRP's Mike Bruce on win-win consolidation
Mergers and acquisitions take many shapes in the UK retail broking market, writes Mike Bruce, CEO broking at Global Risk Partners, noting some deals can actually support an owner's entrepreneurial spirit.
Amazon Protect MGA snapped up in $2.5bn deal
The company that underwrites warranty insurance for Amazon products has been acquired by a rival firm in a $2.5bn deal.
Post survey: Impact of insurtech
Start-ups, insurers, brokers and MGAs, take part in our survey on insurtech.
Howden names José Manuel González as CEO
Hyperion-owned broker Howden has named José Manuel González as CEO of Howden Broking Group.
Allianz replaces Aviva capacity for GRP-backed Higos
Allianz will provide capacity for Higos’ SME business, following Aviva’s decision to cancel agencies with all GRP-backed brokers.
Analysis: Is Scotland emerging as a heartland for personal injury claims?
The proposed Civil Liability Bill is set to introduce sweeping changes to the way soft tissue injury claims are paid out in England and Wales. In Scotland though, it would seem as though the effect of the whiplash reforms south of the border could…
Scor issues first UK cat bond in vote of confidence for London ILS regime
Scor has become the first reinsurer to use the new UK ILS regime to issue a catastrophe bond.
This week: The power of the collective
The Post team is feeling proud this week, having not just reached our fundraising target of £500 for our charity run through mud but having exceeded it well before deadline date. Thanks to all that have supported us so far.
Nat Cats push specialty market into costliest year on record
The UK specialty insurance market suffered the costliest year on record in 2017 as natural catastrophe activity took its toll on underwriting performance.
Marcell named Aon’s reinsurance head
Aon has named Andrew Marcell as CEO of Reinsurance Solutions.
Aviva completes €130m Friends First acquisition
Aviva Ireland has completed the acquisition of life insurer Friends First for €130m (£116m) after receiving regulatory approval from the Central Bank of Ireland.
Blog: E-cigarettes - playing with fire
E-cigarettes may pose unknown health risks, writes Stuart Toal, casualty account manager at Allianz, warning the liability exposures associated with vaping might be slow-burning ones.
Beazley’s specialty lines split a positive move, say analysts
Beazley is to split its specialty lines business from cyber and related lines, in a move welcomed by insurance analysts.
Wrisk raises £500,000 in latest crowdfunding venture
Insurtech start-up Wrisk has raised over £500,000 in two days of second round funding on equity crowdfunding platform Seedrs.
Analysis: Back to the insurance future
The starting question had far reaching implications: “In 2030, what will the world need protecting from?” To answer that, five cross-industry teams explored the issues involved in an industry innovation challenge.
Claims bosses face £500,000 fines under ‘phoenix’ company crackdown
Nuisance call bosses could personally face fines of up to £500,000 under plans to tackle ‘phoenix’ claims management companies.
Castel targets European growth with Dutch office launch
Castel Underwriting Agencies has opened its first branch office in Amsterdam to support plans to expand its operations in Europe.
Interview: Patrick Tiernan, Aviva
Aviva Global Corporate & Specialty's new managing director Patrick Tiernan is confident of profitable growth. He tells Jonathan Swift how he hopes to take the business to the next level.
Berkshire becomes third-largest reinsurer on back of AIG deal
Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway became the world's third-largest reinsurer in 2017, ending European dominance over the top four.
QBE Brussels subsidiary granted regulatory approval
QBE Europe has received approval from the National Bank of Belgium to set up a subsidiary in Brussels.
Aviva rejects one in eight whiplash claims
Aviva now rejects one in eight whiplash claims as suspect or fraudulent, the company said, as it revealed a 5.6% growth in fraud last year.
Blog: Rise of the robo-diagnosis
BLM partner Greg McEwen considers the liability implications of using artificial intelligence for medical diagnostics.
Hiscox's Tom Dixon on tactical litigation in tech
Tactical litigation is costly, underhand and rife within the technology sector, writes Tom Dixon, head of technology for Hiscox UK and Ireland, explaining how to help policyholders avoid it.
Blog: Pukka's Sam White on the investment gap
Pukka's CEO Sam White calls on bankers to fund female-led businesses to achieve gender balance.