Insurer
UK hailed as whiplash capital of Europe
The Association of British Insurers has today called for a clampdown on the UK’s "pain in the neck culture" that it says has made the UK the whiplash capital of Europe.
Postbox: Backing reforms was not taken lightly
Your leader of last week 'Are some more equal?', coupled with the comments reported from Elite Insurance over the ABI's support for the recommendations of the Jackson Review, highlights the delicate balance a trade body needs to strike between…
View from the top: A very bad year
Despite reinsurers' initial talk that the Australian floods and the New Zealand & Japanese earthquakes were earnings — not balance sheet — events, and there would be no impact on rates, the chatter has changed recently, with some now actively hinting at…
Simia run-off will have 'little effect'
The Solicitors Regulatory Authority has downplayed the effect of the Solicitors' Indemnity Mutual Insurance Association's decision to go into run-off.
Post history - 50 years ago: Time factor a worry for travel insurers
Looking back through Post's back catalogue paints a unique picture of more than 150 years of insurance news, as this article from 50 years ago reveals.
Post history - 30 years ago: Preservatives cancer risk fear explored
Looking back through Post's back catalogue paints a unique picture of more than 150 years of insurance news, as this article from 30 years ago reveals.
Schemes: Scheming for success
Schemes business requires significant investment to make it work and underwriters are not prepared to tolerate poor profitability. But, as Jane Bernstein reports, the benefits are many and it remains attractive to brokers.
Penny Black's insurance week
Another year, another Biba conference; brokers nurse their hangovers, hacks try to recall the juicy story slurred in their ear at 2am, and insurers vow to return to the exhibition hall next year with a bigger stand than Aviva, nicer cup cakes than Zurich…
Mitsui steps up mid-market regional push
Mitsui Sumitomo is poised to open its doors in Birmingham as part of its regional mid-market push, ahead of the unveiling of its new property-led product for this target segment in quarter four. The news follows last month's four-strong recruitment in…
Post history - 20 years ago: CU is first to insure a UK astronaut
Looking back through Post's back catalogue paints a unique picture of more than 150 years of insurance news, as this article from 20 years ago reveals.
Zurich sees engineering business grow by 50%
Zurich's engineering insurance business has grown by 50% to £15m gross written premium in the past two years, with the ambition to take it to £25m over the next three to five years.
Biba 2011: Restructure ends as 114 Axa jobs go
Axa Commercial chief executive Amanda Blanc has revealed the restructure of the firm is "complete", including the identification of 114 senior management staff who will leave the business. As a result of the swift changes, Axa branches across the UK are…
Affinity partnerships: Perfect service
What makes a truly successful affinity partnership? Mike Caidan looks at how this market is changing, demands are rising and discusses how proactivity, innovation and flexibility are vital.
Allianz front-end fraud focus helps save £50m
Allianz Insurance is on track to identify £50m of insurance fraud in 2011, according to UK chief executive Andrew Torrance — boosted by work undertaken by the insurer in private car application fraud.
Biba 2011: Brokers back Biba and IIB as merger revealed
Moves by the British Insurance Brokers' Association and the Institute of Insurance Brokers to merge have been overwhelmingly backed by brokers.
Law report: An inflammatory judgment on findings of fire fraud
This law report has been contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Solvenct II - Investments: Straight to the heart
Solvency II is about much more than simple regulation and is already preoccupying chief investment officers. Ciara Searle examines the implications it will have for asset allocation and fund transparency.
Consumer insurance reforms will make it harder to turn down claims
The first changes to consumer insurance legislation in more than a century will prevent insurers from "hiding behind" unrelated errors to avoid paying claims.
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.
Damage management - Surge: Surging ahead
Recent surge events have shown insurers are getting better at coping with large numbers of claims but there is still room for improvement. Sam Barrett finds out what could make a crucial difference the next time an extreme event occurs.
Barbon trading platform on track for a summer launch
Barbon Insurance Group is now "weeks away" from launching its wholesale broker online trading platform via property business Keelan Westall.
Mentoring - risk managers: Passing the torch
The process of mentoring, where experienced people give advice and encouragement to younger professionals, can be hugely beneficial and cost virtually nothing. Elaine Heyworth details a new scheme about to launch to assist up-and-coming risk managers.
Editor's comment: All action, no talk
Mergers & acquisitions have definitely dominated the insurance headlines this week. Nothing unusual in that — except, for once, it's been more a case of all action and little talk, rather than the reverse, as is so typically the case. But it also remains…
Career development & CSR: Barbon tackles homelessness with 1% of profit ambition
Barbon Insurance Group aims to raise the equivalent of 1% of its profits over three years in support of UK homeless charities, as part of a new corporate social responsibility strategy.