Aggregators
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.
Brand building - advertising: channelling advertising opportunities
Television remains the most powerful tool in the advertising armoury of insurance companies — but they must adapt to changing view patterns and innovations to survive in the market, says Ralph Savage.
Interview - Mike Brockman: telematics - the future of motor insurance?
Many predict telematics will be the future of motor insurance. Mike Brockman, founder and joint chief executive of Insure the Box, talks to Lynn Rouse about his success so far.
Penny Black's insurance week
Watch out Simon Cowell and congratulations to Hastings boss and music mogul in the making Neil Utley, whose new record label has netted singer Charlie Simpson as its first signing.
HNW - rates: costs under control
The customer is currently winning in the mid and high net worth sectors, with rates only climbing slowly. David Sweeney looks at what the industry must do to price for profit and continue to provide great service.
PwC welcomes “clearer” view of Solvency II
PwC has responded to the speech made by Julian Adams, FSA Director of Insurance, at the FSA Solvency II Conference today.
Motor: real time pricing
Intermediaries remain a significant distributor of motor insurance but, if profitability is to be secured, Laurence Walker says new underwriting models must be embraced.
OFT launches inquiry into Google aggregator deal
The Office of Fair Trading is to investigate Google’s acquisition of UK price-comparison website Beat That Quote.
E-business: Customer service must be priority
The chief executive of online commercial provider Simply Business has said the insurance industry must become more customer-centric if it is to catch up with the online revolution.
E-business: Google arrival means aggregators will have to work harder
Price comparison sites have been urged to "pedal harder" following the arrival of Google in the aggregator market.
Co-op to increase aggregator usage
Co-operative Insurance has set its sights on growing its household book by widening its use of aggregators as a means of distribution.
News analysis: shaking up the aggregator market
Google buying Beat That Quote has given the aggregator market a shake-up, claims Tom Cooper, as the 10 million quotes per month barrier is broken.
E-business: Wishman: mobile e-commerce has finally arrived
Mobile technology has "finally arrived" in the insurance space and now is the time to develop a mobile online strategy, according to LV group e-commerce director Paul Wishman.
Editor's comment: keeping the buzz alive
After the initial buzz of excitement swarmed round the industry at the prospect of an insurer-funded dedicated police unit to combat fraud, all has gone strangely quiet. Fair enough, the Association of British Insurers did stress that its discussions…
View from the top: the online commitment
There has never been a better time for us, as business insurers, to remind ourselves how it feels to be a customer — especially because being a customer, with smartphones and computers now constantly at close quarters, is changing month-by-month.
Aggregators join ABI and Biba in fraud fight
Aggregators have joined forces with the Association of British Insurers and British Insurance Brokers' Association to publish new guidance on online application fraud.
E-business: Customer reviews to play bigger retail role
The insurance industry must prepare for the growing influence of customer reviews in the retail market having a knock-on effect in insurance.
Penny Black's insurance week
It is always heartening to see people battling adversity, and those in New Zealand have had it bad over the past six months.
Aggregators join ABI and Biba in fraud fight - Insurance News Now – 7 April 2011
Post reporter Amy Ellis outlines this week's major general insurance stories including how aggregators have teamed up with the Association of British Insurers and the British Insurance Brokers’ Association in a bid to fight fraud.