EY
'Sluggish' growth predicted for next three years
Insurance premiums will not recover until after 2015, growing just 0.9% this year, Ernst & Young has predicted.
RSA leads charge as Northern Ireland sheds no-go image among insurers
RSA last week pledged to invest £5m in Northern Ireland, intent on becoming the country's leading insurer, but local analysts are divided as to whether this will prompt a flurry of interest in the market or whether its small size will continue to…
Ferma launches 2012 benchmarking survey
The Federation of European Risk Management Associations launches the 2012 Ferma Benchmarking Survey today.
Takaful to grow to $12bn this year
Saudi cooperatives account for $4.3bn, or 52%, of global Takaful contributions.
Fringe markets to drive takaful gross contributions to $12bn
Global takaful contributions grew by 19% to $8.3bn in 2010, according to Ernst & Young's World Takaful Report 2012.
QBE move for Brit secures broker backing as deal doubles regional GWP
Acquiring Brit UK's renewal rights is Australian insurer QBE's biggest UK deal in more than 10 years, and signifies its commitment to becoming a major player in the regional broker market insuring SMEs.
India's foreign direct investment u-turn hits IPO plans
The Indian government's move to defer the easing of foreign direct investment in insurance will scupper the plans of large companies considering initial public offerings and may push consolidation, according reports in the Indian press.
Are you listening to your customer?
The perception in the insurance market is that all customers care about is price but, as Geoffrey Godding and John Cooper reveal, a recent survey highlighted that brand, financial security and insurer interaction are just as important.
Market moves: Insurers lead Easter recruitment charge
As the industry heads into the Easter break, insurers are, once again, leading the way in the recruitment space.
Omega international appeal soars following CNA £143m bid for Hardy
CNA acquiring Hardy could trigger a rush by international players to purchase Omega in a bid to access Lloyd's, analysts have predicted.
Solvency II changes ignore industry concerns, E&Y says
The European Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee’s agreed Solvency II amendments disregards industry proposals, according to Ernst & Young.
Market moves: MGAs making the moves
This week the recruitment space belonged to managing general agents.
Bearing Point hires former Ernst & Young consultant for insurance head role
Business consulting firm Bearing Point has appointed former Ernst & Young consultant Christopher Ling to head of insurance in the UK.
Robertson returns to Ernst & Young to head up UK insurance
Mark Roberston has joined Ernst & Young to head up the UK insurance team.
Marine hull insurers await rating impact in wake of cruise ship sinking
The Costa Concordia cruise ship disaster has been called the largest insurance loss in maritime history with some suggesting it could be “bigger than the Titanic”.
Broking - Mergers & acquisitions: Do not disturb
2011 was a relatively sleepy year for merger & acquisition activity in the broker sector. Could 2012 be a wake-up call or will the market stay snoozing?
Fitch Ratings gives referral fee ban its seal of approval
Fitch Ratings has approved measures to ban UK motor insurers from receiving any type of referral fees, saying represents a more meaningful step towards combating the rise in fraudulent claims.
Expert analysis: Relatively calm
Although competition remains fierce in the aggregator arena, the rush for volume has slowed as the motor market moves closer to break-even point, says Tom Cooper, Igo4.
Eurozone financial services companies face challenging 2012
Solvency will remain a key challenge for Eurozone financial services companies throughout 2012, despite the positive action taken by the European central bank.
A windstorm for the insurance market
As the market gradually starts to digest the recent European renewals, Francesca Nyman considers the increasing challenge that European windstorms pose and whether insurers are adequately protected against this risk.
Review of the year - Lloyd's & London Market: The costliest year ever?
The first half of 2011 saw an unprecedented number of catastrophic events, so how has Lloyd’s and the London market coped?
In series: Lloyd's & London Market: Staying number one
Tightening regulation and a less advantageous tax regime are making it tough for Lloyd’s to retain its pre-eminence, but is protectionism the greater threat?
Interest from Middle East inevitable due to depressed share prices
The European insurance industry is likely to see an investor from the Middle East take a shareholding in an established brand within six to eight months, according to a regional expert.
News analysis: Insurers urged to negotiate with FSA as Solvency II confusion continues
The FSA has announced a delay to Solvency II but getting clarity remains a priority for government and insurers.