Northern Ireland
CMA opens investigation into Ardonagh buying Bennetts
The Competition and Markets Authority has today launched an investigation into whether Ardonagh buying Bennetts Motorcycling Services will lead to “substantial lessening of competition”.
Northern Ireland launches consultation on negative discount rate
The Northern Irish Department of Justice has launched a consultation into possible changes to the legal framework for setting the personal injury discount rate.
Rising Star: Jake Finlay, Sedgwick UK
Coming from a background of herding sheep in the Falklands and rearing calves in Northern Ireland, Jake Finlay didn’t want to lose his rural ties after university. He now works on agricultural claims in the South East
NI Assembly committee rails against insurer Covid-19 BI payouts as ABI grilled
There is a “real perception of intransigence from the insurance industry … [and] lack of willingness to engage and support business” during the coronavirus pandemic, according to Caoimhe Archibald, chair of the Northern Ireland Assembly’s Economy…
Discount rate: Warnings on NI premium pressure and claims costs
If the discount rate in Northern Ireland is made minus 1.75% this will lead to price hikes and potentially vast jumps in the cost of individual claims, insurers and lawyers have warned.
This Month: Best insurance employers to the fore
From November last year to January 2020 Post gave insurance employees the chance to nominate and rate their employers on topics ranging from management to diversity and work/life balance along with whether they would recommend the company to a friend.
Northern Irish discount rate of minus 1.75% proposed
The Northern Irish Department of Justice plans to change the Northern Irish personal injury discount rate to minus 1.75%, pending a statutory consultation.
Q&A: Forum of Insurance Lawyers CEO Laurence Besemer
In 2009 Laurence Besemer became the first CEO of the Forum of Insurance Lawyers, the UK trade body for defendant law firms. A decade into the role he spoke to Jonathan Swift about its commitment to its members, a successful 2019 and why it is definitely…
GRP adds Birrell Group as Midlands hub
Global Risk Partners has taken a majority stake in the Birrell Group, based in Lutterworth, Leicestershire. The group consists of Kingsway Insurance Services and Bausor Hall Associates.
Willis IRM buys Hale Kavanagh in Leeds
Belfast-based Willis Insurance and Risk Management has bought Leeds firm Hale Kavanagh Insurance Brokers for an undisclosed sum.
Analysis: Changing face of terrorism and terrorism covers
Terrorism has been a constant threat in the UK for more than half a century and has proved hard for security forces to keep up with, so it is hardly surprising that the insurance market too has found itself trying to repair gaps in cover as they emerge
Keoghs expands into Northern Ireland
Keoghs has joined forces with Belfast-based law firm Caldwell Warner to expand its business into Northern Ireland.
HDI Global appoints Paul Williams as head of underwriting for corporate risk
HDI Global has announced the appointment of Paul Williams as head of underwriting for its corporate risk division, replacing Kevin Armstrong.
Axa loses ground to new entrants in Northern Ireland motor market
Axa dominates nearly a quarter of motor premium in Northern Ireland, but its hold is slipping owing to new market entrants, unofficial figures show.
Bupa acquires nine dental practices across UK and Ireland
Bupa Dental Care has acquired nine dental practices across the UK and the Republic of Ireland, taking its tally of new acquisitions in the last year to 23.
Abbey Insurance owners acquire fellow Northern Ireland broker Autoline
Prestige Insurance Holdings, which owns Northern Irish personal lines broker Abbey Insurance, has reached an agreement to acquire Autoline Insurance.
Swiss Re names Jake Algar Corporate Solutions head
Swiss Re's insurance arm Swiss Re Corporate Solutions has named Jake Algar head of UK & Ireland, effective 1 May 2018.
Analysis: Leisure market - At your leisure
Brexit may raise the prospect of more expensive holidays abroad and longer waits at borders. If fewer European city breaks beckon, could there also be an upside in spending more time in England’s green and pleasant land?
Administrators appointed at CBL Insurance Europe
The Central Bank of Ireland has appointed an administrator for CBL Insurance Europe.
Blog: Brexit could leave motor insurers without room for manoeuvre
British drivers who have a car accident in the European Union can currently seek redress through UK courts but Brexit could change that. Mark Hemsted, partner at Clyde & Co, lists the points to keep an eye on.
Broker saw 5000% home insurance surge in lead up to Ophelia
Broker Cover Builder saw a 5284% surge in home insurance sales in the minutes leading up to storm Ophelia.
Axa to cut 18 branches as Irish operation is scaled back
Axa will close 18 branches across Ireland and Northern Ireland, reportedly affecting more than 100 jobs.
Northern Irish insurance salaries rise despite Brexit fears
Four out of 10 insurance workers in Northern Ireland received a pay increase in 2016, with on average increases of 3.7%.
Pool Re: The changing face of terrorism
The number of terrorist incidents on UK soil has dropped since Pool Re was set up, with Irish republican paramilitary attacks giving way to less frequent strikes by radical Islamic terrorists, however, the threat to the country remains as severe