Insurer
Penny Black's Insurance Week
Penny is always interested to hear about insurance bigwigs' past exploits, and Bill Dewsall did not disappoint.
Gable gets French connection with new product
Gable Insurance has launched a rental guarantee product into the French market following successful launches in Norway and Denmark.
Fraud prevention: Capital punishment
It has been a year since the Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department opened for business in the City of London. Is the specialist team living up to the hype?
Investing in the Profession: Hastings announces 200 new jobs in move to triple its customer base
South Coast insurance broker Hastings Direct has signalled its intention to bring fresh blood into the business with plans to recruit 200 new employees.
View from the top: Pool solution a proven concept
For those of us living or working in the UK, one regular weather event is inevitable: lots of rain. So, most readers won’t take much convincing of the fact that, in 2012, Britain suffered its second-wettest year since records began in 1910.
View from the top: This eternal quest is fruitless
Commoditisation has become something of a holy grail in the insurance market over the past decade. The shift from competition based on product and service feature differentiation, as well as perceived value, to one of undifferentiated price comparison…
Market moves: Busy week for insurers sees sector take on seven new recruits
Following a week of broker domination in recruitment, insurers have battled back in a big way with no fewer than seven headline hires at companies ranging from agricultural insurer Rural to Lloyd's syndicate Aegis London.
Penny speed meets: Michael Lawrence, personal lines director, LV Broker
Being an insatiable socialite, Penny Black is always eager to probe the personalities behind the professional veneer of her industry friends. What better way to squeeze in and share as many intimate revelations as possible than her very own ‘speed…
In Series: Outsourcing - Quality control
How can insurers ensure their brand identity and customer service expectations are maintained by outsourced providers?
In Series: Outsourcing - Hand in hand
Research shows that customers remain loyal to brands that treat them well. A great experience makes them more likely to buy or repeat a service, but once trust is lost it is hard to win back.
Corporate governance: Skilled assessment
The Financial Services Authority can request a 'skilled person report' at any time, on any matter. What can insurers do to ensure that their corporate governance is in the best shape?
Customer retention: Rewarding loyalty
Insurers spend vast amounts on acquiring new customers, but customer churn remains high. Should they be doing more to retain existing policyholders instead?
UK exit could impact insurance regulation
A change in the UK's relationship with the European Union would most likely affect insurers in the area of regulation, according to PwC.
Supreme Court rejects Prudential legal advice appeal
The UK's Supreme Court has ruled that legal advice provided by non-legal professionals does not qualify for legal privilege, ending a legal battle with Prudential and PWC which has run since 2007.
EC probes impact of insurance contract law on cross-border trade
The European Commission has launched an expert group to consider the creation of a pan-European insurance contract law.
Editor's comment: Unfinished business
Echoing the Monday tweet of Bollington's Paul Moors, it was a shame to witness the UK's insurer and broker trade bodies engaging in public dispute this week over research on restricted or rejected claims payments.
Burns made senior partner at Clyde & Co
Clyde & Co has appointed James Burns as the latest senior partner following an uncontested election.
To list or not to list? More Chinese insurers tipped to seek IPOs in 2013
Chinese insurers have started to raise money from equity issuance in the past two years as regulations and market appetite make the option more attractive, writes Andrew Tjaardstra.
Post magazine - 24 January 2013
The latest issue of Post is now available to subscribers as a digital and interactive e-book.
Interview: Bill Dewsall - It's a long way to the top
Bill Dewsall's atypical route to a major insurance role saw him leave professional cricket and drumming behind but, as he plots continued growth over the next three years, the Gable CEO can have no regrets about deciding to get a 'real job'.
Mergers & Acquisitions: How's your appetite?
With industry commentators split on how mergers and acquisitions might unfold this year, is there evidence that firms are hungry for more after a busy 2012, or have they had their fill for now?
Mitsui backs Dual with Singapore capacity
Insurer Mitsui Sumitomo has completed a deal to provide financial lines capacity for Hyperion-owned underwriting agency Dual in Singapore.
Insurers hit back at accusations of stricter policies on claims payouts
Tensions have erupted between the broker and insurer trade bodies after the British Insurance Brokers' Association took to breakfast television to air members' complaints about insurer policies on paying claims.
Second phase of Aviva 'diet' to target cash generation
The second phase of the Aviva restructuring process will put the 'slimmed down' insurer on a fitness regime with a view to generating more cash, according to analysis carried out by Investec.