Aggregators
Editor's comment: Add-on agony advances
The insurance industry is no stranger to damning verdicts and this week’s, in the form of a report into the level of competition in the add‑ons market, must come as no surprise.
Household: On steady ground?
How is the household insurance market coping with the cost of claims from extreme weather events and the aggregator‑induced focus on pricing?
Zurich brand to disappear from comparison sites
Zurich-branded home and motor insurance products will no longer be offered on aggregator sites, the insurer announced today.
Insurers and brokers urge Competition Commission to ban all MFN clauses
Fears a ban could harm price comparison websites misplaced.
Editor's comment: A humane culling
Personal lines insurers and brokers have had enough. They have taken it lying down for too long and now they are making a stand and fighting back.
Money Supermarket profits surge despite “slowing” insurance business
Money Supermarket has revealed an increased dividend and profits up 40% for 2013, climbing from £24.8m to £34.7m, in spite of acknowledging that its insurance business slowed in the second half.
Europe: Pet insurance opportunities
With around $1bn premium volume, the pet insurance market in the UK is by far the world's biggest - but increasing competition and rising vet fees over the past few years have seen what was once fertile ground become a highly contested area, with a large…
Advertising: Getting the word out
How are insurance firms’ advertising tactics changing in response to the rise of social media and the emergence of aggregators?
Brokers urged to take advantage amid FCA aggregator inquiry
Brokers should view the Financial Conduct Authority’s ongoing thematic review of price comparison sites as an opportunity to demonstrate their worth in terms of providing consumers with “the best deal”.
BIA Countdown: Achievement winner reflects: Q&A with Dennis Mahoney
Since their inception, the British Insurance Awards have become the unrivalled badge of excellence for the insurance sector, raising standards across the industry through their showcasing of best of breed performance and innovation.
C-Suite – MGA: The devolution of personal lines
Is big data really the answer to stopping the rot that has taken hold in personal lines insurance?
BIA Countdown: Achievement winner reflects: Q&A with Peter Wood
Since their inception, the BIA have become the unrivalled badge of excellence for the insurance sector, raising standards across the industry through their showcasing of best‑of‑breed performance and innovation.
Carnegie-Brown named Money Supermarket chairman
Aon UK chairman Bruce Carnegie-Brown is to be appointed chairman of price comparison site Money Supermarket.
US car comparison site sale will not impact Admiral FY results
Admiral has stated that a further sale of a minority equity stake in its US car insurance comparison website Compare Now will have "no material impact" on its full year results for 2013.
My Licence: Seal of approval
While the My Licence driver data-sharing initiative may have some obstacles to overcome, the industry consensus is that it should benefit all parties involved in motor insurance.
The rise of price comparison sites in South East Asia
Price comparison websites are gaining in popularity in South East Asia as consumers catch on to the benefits of shopping around for insurance writes Nicky Burridge.
Interview: Brent Escott: Change for the better
Brent Escott has seen it all, with his 20-year career covering most areas of the insurance industry. So did becoming CEO of under-fire Card Protection Plan faze him? Not a bit.
Profit growth not BGL's main aim in 2013 as CEO eyes five-year plan
BGL chief executive Matthew Donaldson has defended his firm’s static profit growth in 2013 by claiming that the launch of a five year growth initiative had meant that building on last year’s profit margin was never expected.
BGL profits remain flat despite attracting two million more customers
The BGL Group has recorded pre-tax profits of £88m for the second consecutive year, despite increasing customer numbers by two million to 6.6 million during the same period.
Expertise in Action: Broker: Standing out
In an increasingly competitive marketplace, brokers can gain an edge by specialising in niche areas and strengthening their regional focus
Money Supermarket chief welcomes FCA review
A regulatory review into price comparison sites has been welcomed by Money Supermarket chief executive Peter Plumb.
FCA plots price comparison review
The Financial Conduct Authority has launched a thematic review of price comparison sites, raising fears that consumers may not be securing adequate coverage.
C-Suite: The market needs MFN clauses
Anyone following the debate around ‘most favoured nation’ clauses could certainly be forgiven for getting lost in the hype and conjecture. But one undeniable result of all the scrutiny is that the issue has truly divided the insurance industry.
Money Supermarket sees insurance revenues inch upwards
Price comparison site Money Supermarket has seen insurance revenues climb 2% for Q3 2013.