Motor
Unicorn says ‘diversifying’ the next step after Berkshire backing
Unicorn Underwriting has confirmed it will not limit itself to UK commercial lines but aims to move into all classes and territories after partnering with Berkshire Hathaway.
Amwins Group member Unicorn Underwriting gets backing to write motor fleet
US-based insurance distributor Amwins Group will partner with Berkshire International Insurance to enter the motor fleet business, via Amwins’ London-based managing general agent Unicorn Underwriting.
C-Suite Insurer: Esure's Stuart Vann - Fraud and what more the industry can do
Although there has been significant progress, there is more for insurers to do in reducing levels of opportunistic fraud
Political Lobbying: Don't mention the ‘L' word
Smoke and mirrors perpetuates the lobbying mystique but there is no need to bring in outsiders if there is someone with know-how and who can put together a well presented case
Europe: Sogaz stands out in the Russian market
The Russian insurance market showed modest growth according to last year's results and the market leader Sogaz stands out in particular among other insurance companies
Lowest investment returns since 2001 'biggest reason' for Lloyd’s profit fall
Lloyd’s finance director John Parry said the market’s lowest investment returns in 14 years was the main factor behind its £900m profit plunge in 2015.
Budget 2016: Safe Harbour lanes mooted as UK shifts gears on autonomous vehicle investment
A £15m ‘connected corridor' from London to Dover, driverless car and truck platooning trials were all outlined as part of the 2016 Budget in a move to retain the UK's position in the market.
Europe - Vnuk: EU ruling is a black cloud over motorsport
The Vnuk ruling - making third-party insurance compulsory - could make motorsport participation too expensive and supporters are calling for an exemption to be made.
Budget 2016: UK to be driverless cars ‘centre for excellence’
A £15m "connected corridor" from Dover to London and further driverless car and truck trials were all announced in today's (16 March) Budget.
Forces Financial offers free telematics with car insurance
Forces Financial, the financial services firm for the UK military, is offering a free telematics device with all new car insurance policies from 21 March.
Hastings sees GWP rise 27% as it announces first dividend
Hastings has reported a 27% increase in gross written premiums to £614.9m (2014: £483.4m) for the 12 months ended 31 December 2015 and expects to pay shareholders a maiden dividend of 2.2p per share.
Over-50s worst hit from motor premium hike
Those over the age of 50 are being worst hit from the rise in motor insurance, according to insurance market researcher Consumer Intelligence.
Carrot suggests IPT exemption for young drivers
Telematics provider Carrot wants Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne to exempt young drivers from paying insurance premium tax if they buy an approved safe driving telematics programme within one year of passing their driving test.
IPT could rise to 12.5% at March budget, AA warns
The AA has warned that insurance premium tax could rise from 9.5% to 12.5% in next week's Budget announcement.
Hiscox-owned Direct Asia sells Hong Kong division to Well Link
Global insurer Hiscox has decided to sell the Hong Kong division of Direct Asia to Well Link for an undisclosed sum.
Sompo Canopius mulling sale of motor business KGM
Sompo Canopius is considering the sale of KGM, its UK motor insurance business.
Vann to drive home growth at Esure with 'test and learn' approach
Esure is adopting a “test and learn" approach to expanding its home insurance footprint in a bid to quote for a wider UK demographic once rates improve.
Underlying profit drops at Esure amid challenging market in 2015
Esure recorded a deterioration in its combined operating ratio to 97.8% in 2015 (FY 2014: 91.9%) as underlying profit dipped by 22.7% to £82.9m (FY 2014: £107.2m) amid “highly competitive” market conditions.
Reduced Admiral underwriting share to have little financial impact
Admiral Group's 3% reduction in its underwriting share announced in the company's 2015 full-year results today (3 March) will not have a significant financial impact on the business, according to chief financial officer Geraint Jones.
Admiral reports motor profit rise as Confused takes hit
Admiral has reported an 8% increase in 2015 group turnover to £2.12bn (2014: £1.97bn) and a UK motor combined ratio of 81% (2014: 83%).
Gladwell to leave Innovation Group amid flurry of exits
Innovation Group UK property head Greg Gladwell is to leave the company on 31 March after six months in his role.
Claims Club: IFB will move to GWP levy in 2017 and broaden stakeholders to include aggregators and affiliates
The Insurance Fraud Bureau will move to a gross written premium levy from 2017 after undertaking a 2015 consultation of five key principles including its funding model.
RAC buys Nebula Systems to boost telematics offering
RAC has acquired vehicle data company Nebula Systems, a deal the breakdown assistance provider said will boost its telematics offering.
Cash-for-Crash Fraud: Beating the fraudsters
The Welsh Police have done a sterling job breaking a large car insurance fraud ring in South Wales – but there are fears such scams will go undetected unless the British insurance industry improves its detection powers