Aggregators
Auto Restore unveils mobile repair offering
Car repair firm Auto Restore has claimed its new direct mobile repair offering targeted at consumers has the support of two of its key insurer partners — Allianz and Aviva.
Penny Black's insurance week
Last week, Penny caught up with the man of the moment, outgoing Towergate CEO Andy Homer. Modest as always, Mr Homer insisted that for luring Mark Hodges from Aviva he and his colleagues deserved a "pat on the back".
Go Compare to study FSA recommendations
Go Compare has backed the Financial Services Authority's latest set of guidelines for aggregators.
Biba backs regulator's guidance for aggregators
The British Insurance Brokers' Association has welcomed the Financial Services Authority proposed guidance for comparison websites, which it said has addressed its own concerns about consumer detriment.
FSA sends warning shot to aggregators
The Financial Services Authority has urged aggregators to “think carefully” about whether they are introducing, arranging or advising customers and to reflect that with a change in permissions if necessary.
Penny Black's insurance week
Penny cannot help but feel rather jealous of Josh Mitchell, the graduate who has landed a £40 000-a-year job as an 'ambassador' at sporting and musical events for the creatures from the compare the meerkat adverts.
Junction sees huge boost after B&B buy
A year after its acquisition of Bradford & Bingley's motor and home insurance business, Junction claims to have boosted new home policies by 200%, increased sales on its smaller motor book by 1000% and improved renewal rates by 25%. The firm has now…
Website Review: Confused
In the latest of its ongoing series, web performance specialist Gomez looks at Confused's website.
Bike aggregator expands in specialist motor niches
The new owner of The Bike Insurer is poised to expand into the specialist lines of caravan and classic car cover, with discussions underway with up to eight providers.
Transatlantic to launch UK personal lines brand - Insurance News Now – 26 May 2011
Post senior reporter Amy Ellis outlines this week's major general insurance stories that include how Transatlantic Re is poised to launch a new UK personal lines general insurance venture to capitalise on hardening premium rates in the motor market.
Post Blog: Norwich Union brand to return to the UK market?
This week Aviva gave the biggest hint yet that RAC is for sale.
Post Blog: Norwich Union brand to return to the UK market?
This week Aviva gave the biggest hint yet that RAC is for sale.
Direct Line hails death of the aggregator
Responding to an investigation from consumer magazine Which? that claims aggregators display a lack of transparency to the consumer Direct Line has said that providers in this space “are not always what they seem”.
Aviva to attack motor with online-only brand
Aviva is gearing up to challenge multi-brand motor insurance giants Royal Bank of Scotland Insurance and Admiral on the aggregators with the launch of a new internet-only brand.
Go Compare slips down the rankings
Go Compare has fallen to 11th place in a study of the most visible insurance websites, published by search engine research firm Greenlight.
Consumer insurance reforms will make it harder to turn down claims - Insurance News Now – 19 May 2011
Post news editor Mairi MacDonald outlines this week's major general insurance stories including how, according to MP Jonathan Evans, the first changes to consumer insurance legislation in more than a century will prevent insurers from “hiding behind”…
Aviva to launch internet-only brand following strong growth in motor book
Motor insurance has been the “key highlight” for Aviva in the first quarter, according to the insurer, which plans to launch a new, separately branded internet-only offering in the summer.
Consultancy warns over rate rise complacency
Personal lines insurers have been warned to guard against complacency, despite the potential for improved growth and increased profitability in the sector.
Technology: Will the cookie crumble?
The revised Privacy and Electronic Communications Directive could see computer cookies swallowed up unless explicit consent is given for their insertion in users' computers when they visit a company's website.
Brokers retain appeal in personal lines market
Brokers are retaining their customer appeal in personal lines despite the growth of insurance aggregators - though they must remain in tune with customer needs to stay ahead, according to new Aviva research.
78% of brokers confident about business prospects
A poll by Mapfre Assistance has revealed that price comparison sites are still viewed as the greatest challenge to broker business models.
Admiral "on track" to meet analysts' 2011 estimates after solid Q1
Admiral this morning reported that group turnover in the first quarter of 2011 increased by 56% to £539m; and group vehicle count increased 33% to 2.9 million.
Broking supplement - Private motor: The drive to succeed
Aggregators, question marks over referral fees and a squeeze on margins are all challenging those in the intermediated personal lines space. But, as Leigh Jackson reports, it is not all doom and gloom.
Broking supplement - Online commercial: Changing times
The insurance industry has been slow to embrace the internet for commercial, with the exception of offerings for the SME market. Graeme Newman looks at what this means for brokers.