Insurer
Axa hires three in South West expansion
Axa has made three appointments in the first phase of its investment programme in the South West which will see the Bristol branch move to a full underwriting operation and the launch of a new branch in Cardiff.
Argo International hires space risks underwriter
Lloyd’s insurer Argo International has appointed Édouard Merlet as space risks underwriter for Argo Global Assurances, Argo International’s Paris-based underwriting platform.
Dual hires Am Trust PA and travel underwriter MacNaughton
Hyperion underwriting arm Dual has appointed Am Trust Underwriting’s Richard MacNaughton as a senior underwriter in its accident and health division.
Brokers largely dissatisfied with mid-market claims performance
The issue of low quality outsourcing operations has been cited among areas insurers need to improve upon in a survey of 180 UK commercial claims brokers, in which only five companies received a net positive satisfaction score.
Lloyd's backed underwriting agency opens in New Zealand
Delta Insurance has launched in New Zealand to try and capitalise on increased market consolidation.
China Taiping's profits fall in Macau
Profits at Chinese insurance conglomerate China Taiping in gambling mecca Macau declined year on year in 2013.
Munich Re's general insurance arm buys in Singapore
Ergo, a wholly owned subsidiary of Munich Re, has bought property and casualty insurer SHC Insurance for €66m ($90m).
Global art consultancy launches
A new risk and claims consultancy firm aimed at the fine art market has launched.
Quinn family seeking compensation from state in £3.6bn lawsuit
The family of Quinn Insurance founder Sean Quinn has filed a €4.5bn (£3.6bn) lawsuit against the Central Bank of Ireland, the Minister of Finance and 10 directors of the Anglo Irish Bank.
DWF partner facing election as first lawyer master of Worshipful Company
DWF partner Graham Dickinson may become the first lawyer elected as master of the Worshipful Company of Insurers on July 17.
Mapfre plotting UK commercial expansion with RSA hires
Spanish insurer Mapfre is hoping to substantially expand its UK business in commercial lines, Post can reveal, with two new appointments already made from RSA.
Beyond price: What engaged customers won’t do for money
Helen Murray, Chief Customer Solutions Officer at Webhelp UK, argues customer engagement is key to turning insurance from a commodity into a valued service
Axa sells 10 000-strong pet book to NCI
Axa has completed the sale of its pet insurance book to NCI Vehicle Rescue for an undisclosed sum.
Argo looks to Xchanging for claims role
Argo International has appointed Rashpal Rooprai as senior liability claims adjustor.
Motor rate reductions to end in 2015 say analysts
Motor insurance rates will steadily increase next year after nine successive quarters of reductions according to analysts from Oriel Securities.
IFIC Forensics and the Fire Protection Association form partnership
IFIC Forensics and the Fire Protection Association have formed a strategic alliance to increase insurer access to skilled fire investigators and support fire risk assessment.
Insurance companies failing to respond to online questions
An online customer service study of ten major UK insurance players has revealed that just 30% of emails and tweets are responded to successfully.
MSIG bosses call for heightened safety standards to counter cost of STFs
Business leaders and risk managers have been challenged to adopt safety standards beyond those legally required in a bid to reduce the £800m annual cost of slips, trips and falls in the UK.
Airmic 2014: Insurers must draw ‘intellectual horsepower’ from other trades says XL boss
Insurers must be prepared to build ties with other industries to better tackle emerging risks according to XL Group chief executive Mike McGavick.
PRA won't seek to prevent orderly insurer failure
Insurers should be allowed to fail, as long as their exit is orderly, the Prudential Regulation Authority has stated.
Europe: Russian Evolutions
Sberbank Strakhovanie looks set to become the leader of the Russian insurance market, Ingosstrakh and Alliance Zhizn change their management and Sogaz avoids US sanctions
Treasury opens Contracts Bill acceleration debate
The Treasury has launched a new consultation on the Insurance Contracts Bill to decide if it has sufficient support for accelerated passage into law.
Bupa Academy handed CII accreditation
Bupa’s international private medical insurance business has been handed Chartered Insurance Institute accredited status for its online broker training portal, the Bupa Academy.
Airmic 2014: 40% of companies fail to stress test major loss plans
Just under half of companies fail to stress test their major loss strategies according to a survey from Ace conducted at Airmic’s annual conference.