Motor
Octo Telematics unveils smartphone app at British Motor GP
Octo Telematics has launched a smartphone app that allows motorists to track, score and improve their driving and riding behaviour, while also delivering drivers with a qualified risk profile to its insurance partners.
Autonomous Trucks: The road to autonomy
As the first autonomous truck gets a road licence in the US, how will the introduction of driverless fleets affect the industry?
Allianz and BMW launch shortfall product covering up to 100% of invoice price
Allianz and BMW have launched a shortfall insurance product with which UK customers no longer need to select the traditional £10,000 or £20,000 worth of cover.
C-Suite - Broker: Sending a message
Attacks on honest motorists need to stop – and a strong message needs to be sent to fraudsters.
Blog: Stevens v Equity...what now?
Six months on from the landmark decision of the Court of Appeal in Stevens v Equity, the ramifications continue to be felt across the industry. The judgment appeared to be the game changer that the insurance industry had been hoping for following the…
Hastings sees GWP jump 24% in H1
Hastings Insurance Group saw gross written premium increase by 24% to £282.7m in the first six months of 2015 (H1 2014: £227.2m) aided by continued growth in customer numbers.
Blog: Vnuk, an involuntary risk transfer
The odd tabloid article has told Mr Smith that, because of the European Union, he'll soon need to insure his ride-on lawnmower under a motor policy. However ludicrous that may sound, the reality is that could be true. While newspapers have chosen…
Accident Exchange launches second investigation into dishonest hire rate evidence
Credit hire firm Accident Exchange has launched a second investigation into dishonest car hire rate evidence, six years after it played a role in exposing fraud perpetrated by rate surveyor Autofocus.
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.
Higher reserve releases drive 6% increase in Admiral motor profits
Admiral CEO Henry Engelhardt has branded the opening six months of 2015 “a good start to a challenging year” after the insurer delivered a 1% increase in group pre-tax profit to £186.1m (H1 2014: £184.9m).
Tianjin explosions could cost insurers $1.5bn, says Fitch
Fitch Ratings in Hong Kong is estimating that losses from the deadly explosions in Tianjin on 12 August could cost insurers as much as $1.5bn (£957m).
Poor customer service and jargon driving motorists to switch insurer
Problems with understanding motor policies have been highlighted by more than half of the customers that took part in a Consumer Intelligence poll designed to understand what drives behaviour around switching insurer.
Insurers pledge support to intermediated motor market after RSA withdrawal
Large insurers have remained staunch in maintaining their presence in the personal lines broker motor market after RSA announced on 12 August it is to fully withdraw from the channel.
Dishonest motor insurance applications exceeded 4000 weekly in 2014
Insurers uncovered 212,000 attempted dishonest applications for motor insurance in 2014 - up 18% on 2013 and the equivalent to over 4000 every week, according to the Association of British Insurers.
RSA to exit personal lines intermediated motor market in November
RSA has confirmed it is to withdraw fully from the personal lines broker motor market, ceasing to write new and renewal business from 1 November.
Less than 10% of Taiwan's cars insured for storm damage
A director of Taiwan's Non-Life Insurance Association has said that more than 90% of car insurance policies in the country are not covered for storm damage.
Five Uber drivers arrested in Hong Kong
Five Uber taxi drivers were arrested in Hong Kong yesterday for driving unlicensed and without third party insurance.
Dye denies Allianz UK's reinsurance arrangement is for acquisition 'war chest'
Allianz UK's 12% drop in operating profit in the first half of 2015 was impacted by a quota share reinsurance arrangement agreed with sister company Allianz Re, according to CEO Jon Dye.
Claims environment blamed as Esure motor profits tumble by 80% in H1
Esure’s underlying profit before tax plummeted by 21.3% over the course of the past year, with the figure for the first half of 2015 standing at £46.5m (H1 2014: £59.1m).
Allianz cites competitive market conditions as first half profits fall 12%
Allianz's UK pre-tax profits fell 12% in the first half of 2015 to £56.5m compared to £64.2m in the same period last year.
Lewis focused on correcting 113.6% personal motor COR
RSA UK and Western Europe CEO Steve Lewis is "clearly focused" on improving the performance of the company's personal lines motor division after it reported a significantly deteriorated combined operating ratio for the first six months of 2015.
Hiscox completes purchase of classic car specialist
Hiscox has completed its acquisition of specialist UK classic car business, RH Specialist Insurance.
Ageas UK's Watson signals commercial appetite after improved profitability
Ageas UK is to focus on writing schemes business, digital trading and motor in its commercial book after an action plan has led to sustained profitability in the division, CEO Andy Watson has said.
News Editor's Comment: Out of the loop
Most business-minded people like to think of themselves as being ‘in the loop’ when it comes to decisions directly impacting their commercial affairs, which is why the recent disconnect between insurance firms and government is likely to feel like…