Insurer
AJG deepens public sector play with Acumus buy
AJ Gallagher International has grown its UK public sector business to more than £150m gross written premium with the acquisition of Chelmsford-based housing specialist Acumus.
Bluefin ponders acquisitions after publishing positive 2011 results
Bluefin has "plenty of cash washing around" should it decide to make an acquisition, according to chief executive Stuart Reid.
Davies dropped from Zurich and NFU Mutual claims handling panels
Davies has lost its place on the claims handling panels of NFU Mutual and Zurich, following reviews by the insurers.
Investment losses hit MENA insurers' capital
Regulations are tightening for insurers in the Middle East and North Africa as the benign conditions of previous years quickly disappear, according to a report by ratings agency AM Best.
Ping An files arbitration claim over Fortis losses
Chinese insurer Ping An has filed an international arbitration claim against Belgium, in a bid to recoup losses from its investment in the now defunct financial services group, Fortis.
Insurance Strategy 2012: Brand is key to customer connection
The management of a core brand and ideology is a vital part of maintaining ties with customers, according to Chubb UK & Ireland commercial insurance manager Andy Francis.
ULR Additions CEO Kay upbeat following 2011 turnaround
ULR Additions chief executive Rob Kay has credited a thorough business restructure for a 2011 turnaround which saw the legal expenses provider chalk up a pre-tax profit of £2.7m, an improvement of £6.1m on the previous year.
Insurance Strategy 2012: Telematics is about the customer, not the insurer
Telematics needs to be about the customer rather than the insurer, according to Ian Hughes, Consumer Intelligence chief executive.
Direct Line Group: Divestment dilemma
The Royal Bank of Scotland may have formally announced plans for an initial public offering of Direct Line Group, but it still faces final decisions on the divestment of its insurance arm.
Motor insurance: Driving down cover costs
With two major indices reporting a fall in the cost of motor insurance, there are signs that the sector’s fortunes are improving. Can insurers afford to be optimistic, or should they proceed with caution?
Post magazine - 27 September 2012
The latest issue of Post is now available to subscribers as a digital and interactive e-book.
Editor's comment: Synchronised squabbling
Anyone who thought the costs war was close to being exhausted after more than a decade of ferocious wrangling over the fine print might have been disappointed to witness Tuesday’s posturing in the Court of Appeal.
Groupama sale to Ageas unlikely to improve either group's rating prospects
The acquisition of Groupama Insurances by Ageas UK should "end uncertainty" among brokers over Groupama's financial strength and creditworthiness in the UK, but will have little impact on the 'negative' rating outlooks of either parent company, analysts…
Court of Appeal delays decision on key date for 10% damages uplift
The Association of British Insurers' hopes of ensuring that the forthcoming 10% rise in general damages is tightly synchronised with the withdrawal of the recoverability of success fees and after-the-event premiums hang in the balance.
Crawford sets up flood claims help centre
Crawford & Company has set up a help centre in Morpeth to assist homeowners with flood claims, as the residents battle storm damage for a second time in four years.
Lloyd's backs IPO access for small companies
Lloyd's of London has welcomed lower barriers to entry to the London Stock Exchange for small companies.
Insurance Strategy 2012: Importance of brand to grow as economy picks up
The power of branding has been highlighted as a crucial tool for insurers in the struggle to compete n a volatile marketplace.
CNA appoints claims head for UK and continental Europe
CNA Europe has named Monique Van Der Linden as head of claims and vice president for Europe.
Home insurers to incur £10m flood bill
Panmure Gordon analyst Barrie Cornes has told Post that Aviva and RSA could see insurance losses of £10m to £15m from the latest round of UK flooding.
Lloyd's returns to profit with 'strongest' half-year result in five years
Lloyd's of London is back in the black after posting a profit of £1.53bn during the first half of 2012 compared with a loss of £697m in the same period last year.
Motor insurance fraudster sentenced
A magistrate has sentenced a London man who pleaded guilty to insurance application fraud and sending "malicious communications" to an insurer.
CNA names vice president for Europe
CNA Insurance has appointed Monique van der Linden, pictured, as head of claims and vice president for Europe.
Takaful's key markets diverging, says S&P
Takaful companies in south east Asia appear more healthy and sustainable than their counterparts in the Gulf, according to the latest report by Standard and Poor's.
Court of Appeal delays judgment on retrospective 10% uplift debate
The Court of Appeal has decided to delay judgment on an industry appeal against a decision to effectively bring forward a rise in damages by 10% from April next year.