Comparison sites
Warning over reserves as retirement age rises – Post in print: 16 December 2010
Senior reporter Leigh Jackson outlines the main news from this week's issue of Post, which includes reports that insurers have been urged to review their reserves, as the proposed abolition of the retirement age could see claimants seeking increased…
Towergate wins SME deal with Compare The Market
Towergate Insurance has won a long-term contract with price comparison website Compare The Market to provide insurance to SME customers.
Green Insurance Company unveils online shop
The Green Insurance Company has launched an online shop offering eco-friendly price comparison.
BGL: European aggregators on hitlist after French buy
BGL Group will look to buy more European aggregators if its purchase of Courtanet proves successful.
Government and police back DVLA motor data access pilot
The government and the Metropolitan police have thrown their weight behind a pilot scheme which will give motor underwriters access to externally held personal data on customers to check whether they have lied on their policy submissions.
Good practice guide backed
The Association of British Insurers' good practice guidance has voluntarily secured the backing of 80% of price comparison websites.
Iprism valued at £50m as PE firm takes a stake
Online commercial comparison portal Iprism has attracted private equity backing, in a move that values the business at £50m.
LV boss pledges growth to £1bn by 2015
LV direct managing director Selwyn Fernandes has pledged to grow the business's gross written premium to £1bn by 2015, despite the competition generated by the aggregators.
Biba outlines eight point motor insurance plan to government
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has called on the Government to implement an eight point plan to reduce the spiralling cost of motor insurance.
Interview - Patrick Snowball: Turning the light on at Suncorp
When Patrick Snowball headed to Brisbane to take the reins at Suncorp, many in the UK industry were surprised. Jonathan Swift finds out why he took this particular job offer and his plans for his tenure.
In series - Professionalism & CPD: Banging the drum
Lynn Richards-Cole extols the virtues of professionalism for brokers and details why technical skill development is essential in serving customers.
BIS 2010 - News: SME sector set to be next big thing for aggregator sites
Price comparison site Beat That Quote has hinted it could move into SME insurance after earmarking the sector as the next stage of aggregator growth.
BIS 2010 - News: Public sector can help fight against fraudulent applications
The public and private sectors should be working together to tackle fraud at the point of application.
AM Best commentary: Keeping the balls in the air
While hardly a vintage year for the general insurance sector, 2009 did see an overall improvement due to investment earnings - but, says Catherine Thomas this year is unlikely to match up.
Household – aggregators: The next big thing?
After success in the motor market, the aggregators are turning their attention to household insurance. Will they manage a repeat performance? asks Jane Bernstein.
Confused not up for sale
Admiral has ruled out selling part or all of its aggregator arm Confused after it disappointed with its half-year results.
Confused loses top spot in aggregator market as owner slams TV campaign
Confused admitted that its most recent TV advertising campaign was "unsuccessful” as it surrendered top spot in the aggregator market.
Now for Tow Compare
Go Compare has diversified its offering to include caravan insurance, with Towergate and NIG among its providers.
Aggregator spend to shift to emerging markets
The success of price comparison sites in the motor insurance market will be replicated in other personal lines, key aggregators have claimed.
Brit CEO: shareholders are key, not my own future
Brit Insurance has boosted profits and reduced its overall book, in what is expected to be its last set of results before its sale to Apollo Management.
NI motor still competitive despite higher cost for consumers
Imbalance between the volume of motor claims in Northern Ireland (5.4% of the UK total) compared to the number of vehicles (2.6%) is contributing to higher insurance premiums in the province.
Personal injury - unsolicited SMS: Text pests
With a rise in unsolicited text messages encouraging recipients to make personal injury claims, Daniel Dunkley looks into what the industry can do to tackle this undesirable correspondence.
News comment - aggregators: Behind the myths
Despite being a top concern for insurers, Matthew Donaldson looks into why aggregators should no longer be considered their bête noire.
Deloitte retention stats rejected
Allianz has rejected claims that the increasing cost of personal lines policies will lead to a reduction in customer retention.