Insurer
Catlin raids Swiss Re for CIO
Catlin Group has appointed Martin Zingg as chief investment officer with effect from 1 March.
Roundtable: Solvency II in depth
In this extended roundtable discussion, group editor-in-chief Ant Gould and industry big hitters from the UK and continental Europe consider the progress made by (re)insurance as the once-distant spectre of Solvency II now looms large and close
Penny black's insurance week
Penny was intrigued to discover the lengths to which people will go for insurance at Hiscox. On a recent visit to the insurer's City office, a chat with two underwriters uncovered some unusual clients on Hiscox's books — among them a balloon artist, and…
Scottish firms are upbeat about recruitment in 2010
The financial services industry in Scotland is showing signs of recovery, with recruitment set to rise and redundancies predicted to drop.
Diabetes & Dangerous driving: Motor functions
With the number of people in the UK being diagnosed with diabetes increasing dramatically, Ian Bridge says insurers should alert their motor customers to be more aware of the legal implications.
Postbox: No standard LEI outside the UK
Paul Asplin, chief executive officer of DAS Group makes some pertinent points in his recent letter ('European legal insurance model can work in UK', www.postonline.co.uk/1587832) but they may give the impression that there is a standard legal expenses…
View from the Top: The money-go-round
I've had a go, on the back of a large envelope, at breaking down where the money goes that Mr Customer spends on his motor insurance. Just what happens to a typical £400 premium?
Interview - David McMillan: Time for the fine tuning
Aviva's chief executive of general insurance David McMillan has turned a bunch of losers — his son's football team — into winners. Daniel Dunkley discovers his plans for an insurer that is already top of the league in many sectors.
Self-service briefing: Satisfaction at stake
If you get self-service right, you will dramatically improve customer satisfaction. That was the claim of Aviva head of online experience Chris Abrathat who noted that when his business moved to this model, he was proud to have an average satisfaction…
Self-service briefing: 'Uniform customer' does not exist
Insurers looking to build a self-service strategy incorporating new technologies have been warned that "overload is rampant".
Self-service breifing: Insurers feline the 'meerkat effect'
Insurance customers have changed from behaving like dogs to cats, and are now turning into meerkats as a result of social networking and other technologies.
Self-service briefing: Lincoln outlines case for self-service
IBM Insurance Solutions executive Nick Lincoln kicked off proceedings by telling the audience he believed there is a fundamental case for self-service.
Self-service briefing: Comparison sites have no loyalty claims survey
Price comparison sites are failing to build up significant brand loyalty, given that many online shoppers continue to check more than one site before buying insurance. And, in some cases, they may even phone an insurer selected direct — in the belief…
Self-service briefing: Aviva online boss warns of "beast" awakening
By moving to a self-service model, insurers must prepare themselves for "awakening the beast".
SMEs look to go direct
A third of UK SMEs would rather buy business insurance direct, rather than via a broker. According to a new survey by QBE, only 16% of UK SMEs will look to the insurance industry for advice in the first six months of 2010.
NFU sees future in hybrid car insurance
NFU Mutual has been appointed by Mitsubishi as its approved underwriter for its new line in electric cars, i-MiEVs.
Solvency II: warning over capital requirement
Insurers could face an average solvency capital requirement increase of more than 60% compared to previous expectations as a result of new Solvency II proposals, EMB has warned.
Industry welcomes exception in Equality Bill
The insurance industry has welcomed a decision to allow insurers to continue using age as a risk factor in setting premiums.
Axa unveils direct launch
Axa has signalled its intention to become a major player in the direct motor market after launching an aggressive marketing campaign to support its return to the sector.
Hoban pledges 'dedicated' resource for insurance
The Conservative Party has attempted to allay the insurance industry's fears that it will be tarred with the same brush as banks, if the party comes to power this year and scraps the current regulator, by promising 'dedicated resources' to the sector.
Go Compare halves losses as profitability aim beckons
Go Compare's chief executive Hayley Parsons has insisted that the aggregator is on course to make a profit for the first time since launching as a start-up in November 2006.
EMC ups guidance
EMC, the US property/casualty insurer, said it is upping its operating earnings guidance for 2009.
Axa joins Confused panel
Axa Direct has been named on the motor insurance panel for price comparison website Confused.
Keychoice unveils senior management team
Keychoice Underwriting has unveiled its senior management team as it prepares to launch later this year.