Insurer
QBE bounced back to profit in 2014; GWP fell 9%
Australian giant QBE secured an after tax profit of $742m (£480m) in 2014 after seeing a pre-tax loss of $254m in 2013 but missed profit expectations.
Competition watchdog approves Esure's Go Compare purchase
The Competition and Markets Authority has approved Esure's proposed £95m acquisition of the remaining 50% share of aggregator Go Compare with the deal expected to complete on 31 March.
Novae promotes Butcher to syndicates CEO
Novae has promoted Jo Butcher to Novae Syndicates CEO and Rob Forster to chief underwriting officer.
SII insurer NEDs to face same regulation as banks
Changes to the banking industry's senior managers regime that affect non-executive directors are to be implemented for Solvency II insurers, the Financial Conduct Authority says.
Defendant ordered to pay costs in fraudulent whiplash case
A judge in Portsmouth has thrown out a case that involved a motorist trying to claim fraudulent damages for whiplash.
Charlin moves to Axa UK investment officer role
Bruno Charlin has been appointed Axa UK chief investment officer; having moved over from his role at Axa Group.
Quindell still in talks to sell division
Insurance outsourcer Quindell has extended Slater & Gordon's exclusivity period relating to the possible purchase of its professional services arm.
Insurers warned of 'profound effects' of Ecall on claims costs
Insurers have been warned of the hidden costs that may entail from its introduction of the Ecall communication system.
Blog Relentless portal-isation of claims has to stop now
With the ABI calling for an extension of the Industrial Disease Claims Portal, Emma Costin points out that the vast majority of claims are, in fact, too complex for the portal
Ascot sees 2014 profits slide as CEO predicts 'challenging' year of trading
Ascot Underwriting CEO Andrew Brooks has vowed to maintain underwriting discipline amid a “challenging trading environment” in 2015, after the firm reported a dip in pre-tax profits last year.
ERS reports first full-year profit in five years
ERS has reported a full calendar year profit for the first time in five years, a £28m improvement year-on-year.
Charles Taylor announces double acquisition
Charles Taylor has announced two acquisitions from the Standard Club; a 50.1% stake of Almond One and a 100% stake of Almond Two.
Fairfax launches equity financing after Brit offer
Fairfax Financial Holdings has launched a C$650m (£337m) equity financing in light of the positive impact of its recommended cash offer for specialist insurer Brit on 17 February.
Axa tipped to make £300m bid for Pinnacle plot
Axa is poised to buy the site for what was intended to be London’s tallest skyscraper, according to reports.
Online dispute system to present industry with 'disruptive technology' challenge
The insurance industry should embrace the challenge of harnessing a new form of disruptive technology if an online dispute resolution system is rolled out to deal with low-value civil court cases in England and Wales.
Drivers who text at the wheel could face higher premiums, warns AA
The AA has welcomed the launch of new technology that is being trialled by police that will catch drivers using mobile phones at the wheel.
IFB announces appointments to supervisory board
Zurich's UK chief underwriting officer Cecile Fresneau and RSA's head of claims control Mike Curley have been appointed to the Insurance Fraud Bureau supervisory board.
Tokio Marine Kiln syndicates deliver profit for 2012
Tokio Marine Kiln’s three non-aligned syndicates all delivered profit for the 2012 year of account, figures published today showed.
Euler Hermes chair bemoans 'disappointing' economy as income dips
Trade credit insurer Euler Hermes saw its net income slump by 3.7% year-on-year to €302.1m (£223.2m) for the 12 months ending 31 December 2014 from €313.7m at the end of 2013.
Three sentenced for inventing car crash
A trio of men from the Wirral have been given suspended prison sentences after being found guilty of inventing a car crash in a bid to con an insurer out of £51,000.
UK-based multinationals face VAT hike after HMRC decision
UK-based multinational insurers face a hike in their VAT bill from 1 January 2016 following a ruling by HM Revenue and Customs.
Flood Re to drive household rates rise in 2015, claims L&G boss
The expense of complying with Flood Re will help drive single digit rate movement in the household market this year, according to Legal and General director of general insurance Mark Holweger.
Aviva downgraded by Berenberg as turnaround case questioned
Equities analyst Berenberg has downgraded Aviva from ‘buy’ to ‘sell’, saying evidence of a turnaround at the British composite insurer is “less compelling than the movement in the share price would suggest”.
Blog: Bullying and harassment workshop 2015
Solicitor Mariel Irvine discusses a recent seminar her firm ran for insurers and employers on the successful defence of bullying and harassment claims