Insurer
Post blog: not so sweet on a supermarket sweep
This week Esure became the latest insurance group to shrug of the loss of a multi-million pound deal with one of the UK's largest supermarket chains, with a response which might as well have come from Little Britain's Vicky Pollard.
Swiss Re to increase dividend by 175%
The Swiss Re board of directors has proposed the approval of a dividend for 2010 of CHF 2.75 - a 175% increase compared to 2009.
Swiss Re to increase dividend by 175%
The Swiss Re board of directors has proposed the approval of a dividend for 2010 of CHF 2.75 - a 175% increase compared to 2009.
Ageas acquires Castle Cover for £53m
Ageas UK has acquired over 50s specialist Castle Cover in a £52.8m deal. The insurer said that the purchase will increase its customer numbers to around eight million.
In series - fraud: how essential is PR in the battle against fraud?
PR is essential when it comes to changing perceptions about the insurance industry. Rachel Gordon investigates how successfully this is being utilised in the long-term fight against fraud.
Walter hints at new business proposition
Outgoing Insurecom chief executive Phillip Walter has revealed he is in talks with venture capitalists about launching a new business once he exits the firm in May.
Career development & CSR: investment in skills a must after unemployment rises
The Financial Skills Partnership has urged businesses to invest in training and skills to stimulate the economy after youth unemployment rose to a record high.
Post history - 50 years ago: payout rules over suicides reviewed
Looking through Post's back catalogue paints a unique picture of more than 150 years of insurance news, as this highlight from 50 years ago reveals.
Career development & CSR: BGL backs debt advice
BGL Group has offered financial backing to a newly established debt advice service in Peterborough that has been set up by The Salvation Army.
H&S cuts worry for insurers
Insurers have expressed concern at government plans to cut health & safety inspections.
Application fraud: provider info handover is 'gob-smackingly' bad
There remains a serious issue concerning the "question set mapping challenge" between insurers and aggregators. Indeed, Pinsent Masons head of insurance John Salmon told delegates that, in some cases, it is "gob-smacking how badly this is done".
Application fraud: insurance defence approaches outlined
Martyn Kyle, head of insurance at SAS, outlined a number of potential defence approaches to combating application fraud. These included using the media, screen warnings and capturing suspicious behaviour.
View from the top: a recipe for disaster
Some companies' belief that insurance policies can be sold like loaves of sliced bread makes a difficult situation worse.
Event insurance - market update: the show must go on
With the shift to music downloads, artists are looking to tour more to make money, generating demand but also new risks for contingency underwriters. Sam Barrett looks at the buoyant events insurance arena and finds a growth market, despite softened…
Postbox: preaching to the converted
I read with interest Phil Bunker's View from the Top regarding the challenge of updating rates in the broker market, as this is a view we have held for some time and have already responded to.
News analysis: alarming revelations for commercial cover
The recent Mactavish-Pricewaterhouse Coopers report that declared commercial insurance 'not fit for purpose' is a wake-up call to the market. Insurers, brokers, company boards, government and the buying community should all take note, says John Hurrell.
Postbox: competency is crucial
I read the recent article "A focus on training" regarding professionalism in the claims sector with interest and wanted to take the opportunity to comment as it strikes me that a parity of focus doesn't exist between expertise in the property and motor…
Motor claims: adding value to the claims process
The vehicle insurance and accident management worlds are at each others throats most of the time. Paul Hoyle looks at why co-operation is the only way forward.
Credit hire - market update: time for a credit check
With the coming year shaping up to be just as busy as 2010 in the credit hire arena, Craig Dickson looks at the themes and issues likely to dominate.
Application fraud: insurers 'oblivious' to extent of issue warns IFB boss
Many insurers are totally oblivious to their exposure to application fraud, according to Insurance Fraud Bureau director Glenn Marr. And one of the prime reasons for this, he added, is its complexity and scope.
Credit hire - innovation - enter the claims processing matrix
Third-party intervention has failed to deliver the reining in of costs that insurers thought it might. Jon Ralph examines the idea of a collective, collaborative non-fault database, which would capture all claims.
Erwin: growth to come from broking firm uncertainty
Westinsure's incoming chief executive Norrie Erwin has said regulatory uncertainty in the broking sector will boost the firm's growth.
Aviva boss: earthquake will not impact GI rates
Global general insurance rates will not be dramatically affected by Japan's earthquake and tsunami, according to Aviva's chief underwriting officer.
Application fraud: shift in culture and focus needed to start tackling application fraud
The insurance industry "will need a shift in culture and focus" before it can start recording successes in application fraud similar to those it has already achieved with claims.