Insurer
Ecclesiastical records 92% rise in H1 pre-tax profit
Ethical insurer Ecclesiastical has delivered a 92% increase in pre-tax profit up to £35.3m in the first half of 2015 (H1 2014: £18.4m).
IT boss who hacked 900 Aviva phones jailed for 18 months
A computer firm boss who hacked 900 mobile phones belonging to Aviva staff has been jailed for 18 months.
Zurich deal represents 'excellent value' for RSA shareholders
Zurich’s proposed offer for RSA represents “excellent value” for RSA shareholders, according to analysts at Berenberg investment bank, but the case for Zurich shareholders is less compelling, they suggest.
Stepping up data sharing against fraudulent travel claims
As travel insurance fraud is becoming more frequent, the industry needs to step up monitoring and information-sharing, just like it has been doing to tackle motor and household fraudulent claims, says Mathew Crawford-Thomas.
PPI accounts for 55% of all FOS complaints in first six months
Claims managers have been blamed for fuelling payment protection insurance complaints as the latest figures from the Financial Ombudsman Service show PPI accounted for more than half of all grievances in the first six months of 2015.
Zurich proposes 550p a share cash offer for RSA
Swiss giant Zurich made a proposal this morning (25 August) to purchase RSA's entire share capital in cash for 550p a share, which RSA's board said it could recommend subject to further negotiations.
Ace promotes Ghaffar to Asia-Pacific distribution role
Ace has promoted Amir Ghaffar to vice president and head of corporate distribution, accident and health, Asia-Pacific.
One Call launches telematics app
Broker One Call Insurance has launched a new telematics solution – Live Drive – after completing a pilot earlier this year.
Zurich asks RSA to extend bid timeframe
Zurich has asked RSA for more time to make a formal offer for the business ahead of the bid deadline tomorrow, according to reports.
Axa and Biba to clamp down on fraud by educating customers
Axa has teamed up with the British Insurance Brokers’ Association to proactively educate customers on the definition, consequences and wider impact of committing fraud.
Amlin posts reduced profit in H1 due to 'change in accounting'
Amlin reported a fall in profit before tax to £143.3m in the first half of 2015 (H1 2014: £148.5m) due to changes in its accounting for catastrophe reinsurance earned premium.
Broker Network's insurer relations manager to join Axa
Broker Network’s insurer relations manager Dene Smith has left the organisation to head up Axa’s Birmingham branch.
John Lewis enlists 'Monty the Penguin' team for new home insurance advert
John Lewis has enlisted the team behind its popular ‘Monty the Penguin’ Christmas advert for a new campaign to promote its home insurance products.
Deafness claims volume putting ‘strain’ on operational staff
Claims staff at many insurers are facing increased ‘operation strain’ as they struggle to deal with the high volume of noise-induced hearing loss notifications.
Ex-Top Mark boss Marchetti launches rival loss adjusting venture
Former Top Mark director and co-founder Martino Marchetti has launched a rival loss adjusting business based out of Glasgow and Belfast.
Blog: Could bids for RSA Lat Am arm help Hester scupper Zurich takeover?
With the clock ticking before Zurich has to put up or shut up in line with the takeover panel code rules, it is no surprise to see speculation intensifying as to what might happen with RSA.
Thompsons demands MP action for motorists after insurer results statements
Law firm Thompsons Solicitors is demanding cross-party action from MPs after it criticised claims portal costs as being "punitive", "unrealistic" and set for the benefit of insurers.
Blog: Save to spend on IT
In today's digital world, customers demand a level of control in how, where, when and on what device they interact with their insurer. Service providers who fail to adjust their service levels to meet these demands will quickly lose out.
Pen Underwriting hires regional business development team
Managing general agent brand Pen Underwriting has appointed a six-strong team of business development managers to strengthen its regional and specialist support to brokers across the UK.
Insurers set for Bank of England cyber security follow-up survey
The Bank of England is following up on a 2012 cyber survey to check whether management teams at insurance companies have increased how often they discuss cyber security.
Insurance quiz of the week - 22 August 2015
Test your knowledge of this week's insurance news.
IAG's full year profit declines 41%; Canterbury earthquake claims rise
Insurance Australia Group's after tax profits declined 41% for the full year to the end of June 2015 to A$728m (£338m) compared with A$1.23bn a year earlier.
Trade credit firms insuring record turnover amid economic upturn
An improving UK economy has seen trade credit insurers providing more cover to businesses than ever before, insuring turnover worth £315bn in 2014, according to figures by the Association of British Insurers.
Marsh marine manager in Asia to join Allied World
Post understands Tim Cooke, Marsh's Asian cargo practice leader, is leaving the global broker to join insurer Allied World.