Motor
Axa blames injury claims for motor reserve top-ups
Axa has denied its need to top-up motor claims reserves for the last five years is because of its acquisition of Swiftcover, blaming instead high claims costs.
Editor's comment: The fall of angels
Many might argue the day was an inevitable one for a motor insurance giant where UK car cover accounts for 90% of group turnover, but the market evidently hoped otherwise. Admiral’s radiant stock market halo has finally lost some of its shine.
Bank holiday breakdowns
Unsettled weather meant the AA only reported 35 000 breakdowns between 26 August and 29 August, 1000 lower than the August bank holiday 2010 but 1000 higher than for the same period in 2009.
Admiral battens down the hatches
Admiral has been the darling of the stock market for a number of years but, despite record pre-tax profits, its share price took a tumble last week. Chinwe Akomah finds out why.
Takaful insurance: A future full of potential
Despite the failure of the first domestic Shariah compliant insurer, the Takaful market is predicted to have a great future. Sam Barrett looks at its potential for growth.
Fraud - pet insurance: Vetting animal claims
Animal-related fraud is on the increase, with exaggerated claims for treatment a common cause. Claire Laver and Carys Clarke examine ways to combat the problem.
Brit motor boss warns haulage firms over EU regulation
Haulage companies in the UK have been warned they must increase uptake levels in the new EU-wide regime of driver certification of professional competence or else face "devastating ramifications”.
Phoney insurer stopped after Gibraltar regulator warning
The website of the alleged phoney car insurer Unique Car Insurance has been disabled after the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission warned the public the firm was not regulated as claimed.
Government applauds insurance initiative over charity driver rules
Charities expect to see a rise in volunteer drivers after insurers agreed to clarify their rules and post the data online, in a move welcomed by the government.
View from the top: A multi-channel world
Many brokers will have read the recent update around Zurich’s personal lines strategy, following the announcement that we’re re-entering the direct channel later this year via an outsourced arrangement with Endsleigh, where the majority of new business…
MP calls for ban on referral fees
A Yorkshire MP based in a city with the fastest rising rates of comprehensive motor insurance is calling for parliament to ban referral fees after his report found high personal injury claims are driving premiums up in that area.
Ex-Swiftcover CEO Blowers back with new online start-up
Online insurance broker Qmetric has been granted full Financial Services Authority approval and is said to be a “few weeks” away from adding three major insurers to the panel of its specialist consumer brand Policy Expert.
Market update - High net worth: Time to raise rates in HNW?
Rates in the high net worth market are failing to reflect the risks posed, despite high claims costs. Chinwe Akomah reports on a sector that is starting to come under pressure to deliver results.
Aviva to launch new online brand 'Quote me happy'
Aviva has today announced that it will be launching a new car insurance brand catering for the growing number of customers who prefer to shop on price comparison sites.
Motor insurers ease cover rules for volunteers
Motor insurers have given the green light to volunteers who want to use their cars to help out their local communities by promising not to charge extra premiums.
ACI helps Amlin France GWP double but group reports £192.3m loss
Amlin France doubled its gross written premiums for the first half of 2011 compared to 2010, but over the group reported losses of £192.3m before tax (H1 2010: £107m profit).
MMA launches motor trade combined cover
MMA Insurance is bucking the trend of insurer cutting capacity and shrinking their motor trade books by expanding its range with the introduction of a motor trade combined product.
Irish Wrightway puts renewals on EDI
Irish underwriting agency Wrightway is converting all of its manual motor policies to full cycle EDI on Open GI removing the need for paper transactions on renewals.
Ireland's Wrightway puts renewals on EDI
Ireland’s largest underwriting agency Wrightway is converting all of its manual motor policies to full cycle EDI on Open GI, removing the need for paper transactions on renewals.
RBSI recruits motor commercial director
RBS Insurance has appointed Gus Park as motor commercial director.
Motaquote aims for telematics push following branch closures
Motaquote managing director Nigel Lombard has vowed to bolster the firm’s telematics business, while also pledging to maintain a “strong community presence” following the closure of seven high-street branches in South Wales.
Travelers reiterates commercial commitment in Ireland
Travelers bosses in the US have moved quickly to deny suggestions that their decision to quit the Irish private motor market could lead to the company’s complete withdrawal from the country.
Boulogne Bound: How a UK broker set established a foothold in France
Allen & Allen has been in France for over a decade. Jonathan Swift talked to CEO Tony Allen about how it exported its customer service ethos and best practices to make Autofirst a success.
Career development & CSR: Allianz apprenticeship scheme targeted at A-level students
Allianz Insurance has launched a new apprenticeship programme giving students with A-level qualifications the opportunity to work within its retail division.