Insurer
Post magazine – 6/13 August
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Quindell to be investigated by Serious Fraud Office
The Serious Fraud Office has notified Quindell that it has opened an investigation relating to past business and accounting practices at the outsourcer.
Capital return to shareholders on the Quindell agenda
Quindell non-executive chairman Richard Rose has outlined the firm’s approach towards a capital return that will see shareholders receive at least £1 per share in a cash handout funded by the sale of its professional services division.
CEO appointment imminent at Quindell as financial restatements are revealed
Quindell is on the verge of appointing a new group CEO with a mandate to lead a review of its businesses after financial restatements by the outsourcer turned the 2013 after tax profit of £83m into a £68m loss.
Post Q&A: The use of data and analytics in the London and Lloyd's market
The London market is one that is characterised by significant competition, but low margins.
L&G brings COR down to 82% as disciplined pricing sees GWP fall
Legal & General delivered a 36% increase in operating profit to £38m within its general insurance business at the halfway point of 2015 (H1 2014: £28m).
Most Biba members source PI cover from specialist brokers
The vast majority of brokers seek advice and buy their professional indemnity policies from a fellow intermediary that specialises in PI cover, a British Insurance Brokers’ Association survey has found.
Hiscox completes purchase of classic car specialist
Hiscox has completed its acquisition of specialist UK classic car business, RH Specialist Insurance.
Blog: Travel insurance and the affinity market
Since the 1990s, cross-selling travel insurance has been an important activity for a wide range of brands as - according to the most figures published by Finaccord, there are well over 500 schemes for travel insurance involving external partners. Paul…
Pen PI team gets 'A' rated capacity boost from Qatar Insurance Group
Pen Underwriting, the Arthur J Gallagher-owned managing general agent collective, has signed a long-term capacity deal for its solicitors' professional indemnity division with Qatar Insurance Company Europe.
Ageas UK's Watson signals commercial appetite after improved profitability
Ageas UK is to focus on writing schemes business, digital trading and motor in its commercial book after an action plan has led to sustained profitability in the division, CEO Andy Watson has said.
Ageas UK grows profits as Watson hails upward motor pricing trend
Ageas UK has reported an increased net profit for the six months ended 30 June 2015 to £29.5m (H1 2014: £25.3m) and an improved combined operating ratio of 98.3% (H1 2014: 100.7%).
Novae's renewal rates fell 3.3% on average in first half
Specialist (re)insurer Novae saw average renewal rates reduce 3.3% in the first half of the year.
News Editor's Comment: Out of the loop
Most business-minded people like to think of themselves as being ‘in the loop’ when it comes to decisions directly impacting their commercial affairs, which is why the recent disconnect between insurance firms and government is likely to feel like…
Berkshire Hathaway offers marine in Australia and New Zealand
Berkshire Hathaway Specialty has begun marine underwriting in Australia and New Zealand.
Asia C-Suite: Improving China's claims
A senior Chinese broker believes that clients needing to accept compromises over claims is diminishing confidence in Chinese insurers.
Compulsory insurance for drones mooted as insurers are urged to review wordings
Insurers must review policy wordings that could be interpreted to cover drone use, legal experts have advised, amid calls for the industry to lobby regulators around safety laws and the potential for compulsory insurance relating to the emerging…
Axa boss Evans hails motor rate strengthening but urges 'drastic action' on CMCs
Axa UK and Ireland CEO Paul Evans has hailed the insurer’s performance in the first half, saying the growth achieved in tough market conditions is likely to outstrip many of the firm’s competitors.
Pool Re boss raises prospect of separate cyber reinsurance scheme
Funds for a potential public-private reinsurance scheme for cyber catastrophes should not be mingled with Pool Re, however, the remit of the terrorism fund's management team could be extended to operate a separate cyber initiative.
Young driver IPT exemption unlikely despite positive government talks
Hopes of securing an exemption from the insurance premium tax hike for young drivers are dwindling, despite “constructive” talks between industry figures and the Department for Transport last week.
Blog: Why £200m Nationwide household loss might not be a big deal for DLG
Direct Line Group CEO Paul Geddes was bullish today when the insurance group released its half year results.
Geddes trumpets DLG reserve releasing in ‘strong' H1 results
Direct Line Group CEO Paul Geddes says the insurer should "claim some credit" for its reserve releasing in the first half of 2015, which demonstrated a shift from its usually conservative reserving stance.
Amanda Blanc to lead combined UK GI operation from next year
Axa UK commercial lines and personal lines intermediary CEO Amanda Blanc is to take control of Axa’s entire general insurance operation in the UK as of 1 January next year.
Benign weather helps Axa UK shave 1.2pp off its first half COR
Axa’s UK business was aided by benign weather conditions in delivering an improvement of 1.2 percentage points in its combined operating ratio for the first half of the year, which stood at 97% (H1 2014: 98.2%).