Motor
DLG sees GWP dip marginally in Q1 as costs plummet 10%
Direct Line Group has delivered a 0.9% dip in gross written premiums for the first quarter of 2015 after attributing a 1.3% reduction in in-force policies to a fall within its partnerships channel.
PE house takes 50% stake in telematics firm
New private equity firm Beech Tree Private Equity has agreed to take a 50% stake in RS Fleet Installations, the West- Midlands based telematics device installation firm.
On the Soapbox: A driverless commercial future
Google expects driverless cars to be on the road within five years. So far much of the focus has been around privately owned vehicles, but how will the commercial sector respond when technology takes over?
Ex-LV employee among three arrested for suspected fraudulent
Three people across Bournemouth and Poole have been arrested following an Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department investigation into the suspected fraudulent sale of LV's confidential customer information.
ABI tracker sees 2% dip in motor premiums
The average price paid for private comprehensive motor insurance fell 2% from Q4 2014 to £360 in the first quarter of 2015, according to the Association of British Insurers' quarterly premium tracker.
Saga sees full-year motor COR improve to 77.9%
Saga has reported a 10.5 percentage point improvement in its motor underwriting combined operating ratio to 77.9%, for the year ended 31 January 2015.
Young drivers unaware of new drug laws, survey finds
One in five young car drivers are unaware of driving restrictions when on prescription medication, a new survey has found.
Moorhouse fined £159,300 for sales failures
Moorhouse Group has been fined £159,300 by the Financial Conduct Authority for failures around its telephone sales of commercial vehicle add-on insurance products during 2012.
Axa and UNA Alliance strike Mini Fleet Choice deal
Axa Commercial Lines and Personal Intermediary has agreed a motor fleet deal with the UNA Alliance of brokers which should see the insurer realise approximately £4.5m of gross written premium over the next three years.
Tough motor market contributing to pet insurance interest in Gibraltar
Potential for profit-making, low market penetration and a diversification away from the tough motor market are key factors in "struggling" Gibraltarian insurers looking to enter the UK pet insurance arena, commentators have suggested.
AA index reports 3.6% household premium drop
The average combined quote for a combined home buildings and contents policy dropped by 3.6% in the first quarter of 2015, according to the AA British Insurance Premium Index.
Blog: A driverless commercial future?
As the population increases and room on our roads becomes a scarce commodity, driverless cars could hold the answer to our prayers. Google expects driverless cars to be on the road within 5 years.
C-Suite - Insurer: Reducing risk, increasing safety
Telematics can bring down premiums for young drivers, but also alter behaviour in all segments.
Australian insurers urged to adapt to driverless cars
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia is urging insurers to be aware of the fast development of driverless cars.
Europe: How did the Western Sanctions affect the Russian insurance market?
At the end of January the Council of the European Union agreed to extend existing sanctions against Russia. This move comes a year on from the introduction of the first set of sanctions, and now we can estimate its impact on the Russian insurance market.
Law firm complains that claimants 'made to feel like criminals'
A claimant law firm has complained that people injured in road traffic accidents are being made to feel like "criminals" by insurers.
Seasonal competition triggers marginal drop in Q1 motor rates
Motor insurance rates are expected to continue upwards despite a slight reduction caused by seasonal competition during the opening quarter of the year.
Markerstudy GWP to move north of £900m following Chaucer deal
Markerstudy has reached an agreement to acquire Chaucer’s UK motor business in a deal that will extend the insurer’s grow written premium to in excess of £900m and increase its headcount by 430.
MIB to take action as decline in uninsured drivers slows
Insurers have conceded they are largely powerless to prevent an uptick in uninsured drivers after the Motor Insurers' Bureau reported the number of motorists without insurance had “plateaued out” after a decade of steep decline.
Insurance fraudster given suspended sentence
A Liverpool man who manipulated an insurer's website to get £10,000 worth of car insurance for £10 has been sentenced.
Quiz of the week - 2 April
Test your knowledge of this week's industry news stories with our just for fun quiz.
10 found guilty in £1m fraud scam
Ten people involved in a £1m crash-for-cash scam have today been found guilty of conspiracy to defraud at the Manchester Crown Court.
Motor market constraints not Gibraltar-specific, GIA says
Market constraints that contributed to Gibraltar-based underwriter the Service Insurance Company ceasing to write business are likely to felt by motor insurers Europe-wide and not just in the UK overseas territory, the Gibraltar Insurance Association…
Volkswagen and Ageas team up for new motor proposition
Ageas UK and Volkswagen Financial Services have entered into an agreement that will see customers buying an Audi vehicle receive a new, fully branded motor proposition from the insurer.