Motor
Motor insurers urged to come clean on debit fees
Motor insurance providers have been urged to clarify the direct debit fees they charge customer by Defaqto.
QBE Europe H1 profits increase to $222m
QBE Europe reported a pre-tax insurance profit of $222m (H1 2009: $213M). Its gross written premium for the first half of 2010 was up 8% to US$2.412bn (2009 US$2.228bn).
Postbox: Discovering the intentions of customers
As the Actuarial Party's recent report states, claims management companies are driving some people to claim.
RSA spotlight - Bob Mendelsohn: Whatever happened to Bob?
Having promised RSA that he would make it his mission to track down its former CEO Bob Mendelsohn to mark the firm's 300th anniversary, Jonathan Swift's job was made somewhat easier than anticipated when he resurfaced at US insurer Navigators last week…
Allianz boss backs rate increases to fuel return to profit
Allianz Insurance chief executive Andrew Torrance has revealed it could implement rate increases of up to 25% in its broker motor book during 2010.
FSA crackdown: whistleblower helps ban unauthorised broker
A whistleblower has helped ban an unauthorised insurance broker from performing any regulated role in financial services, after he was caught using client money to fund a new broking business.
Allianz UK COR remains steady at 95.3% as profits drop for H1 2010
Allianz has recorded a reduced profit before tax of £78.4m (H1 2009: £88.3m) for H1 2010, as the insurer’s combined operating ratio deteriorated slightly to 95.3% (H1 2009: 94.9%).
Allianz sees local GI premiums shrink by 3% in H1 2010
In the first half of 2010, Allianz Deutschland AG increased revenues 6 percent, to €15.2 bn (H1 2009: €14.3 bn).
Lucas Fettes launches new classic car scheme
The new classic car scheme introduced by Lucas Fettes is underwritten by Brit Insurance.
Fitch: "immature" Russian insurance sector impacted by weak capital adequcy
Russian insurers' ratings will continue to be constrained by the poor reserving and pricing risks that became apparent in 2009, as well as by the challenges of the current operating environment.
IFB welcomes landmark fraud convictions
Two brothers behind one of the UK’s biggest 'crash for cash' scams have been convicted.
Allianz to target Bric countries after extending 60 year old VW deal
Volkswagen Financial Services and Allianz Global Automotive have today signed a letter of intent, agreeing to strategically expand their 60 year-old successful partnership and to continue it in the long term.
Allianz to target Bric countries after extending 60 year old VW deal
Volkswagen Financial Services and Allianz Global Automotive have today signed a letter of intent, agreeing to strategically expand their 60 year-old successful partnership and to continue it in the long term.
Defaqto calls on insurers to educate beyond price
Defaqto has told motor insurers to educate customers to look beyond price, as underwriting losses continue to increase.
Penny Black's insurance week
Penny congratulates Neil Utley on his wedding in the grounds of his Cambridgeshire home at the weekend.
Groupama boss hails effort in stopping motor 'bleeding'
Groupama chief executive François-Xavier Boisseau has said the insurer has gone some way to stopping the "bleeding" of its private motor account, as it reported its results for the first half of 2010.
RSA CEO 'lonely' on rates
RSA's UK chief executive has admitted he is feeling "lonely" when it comes to commercial rate rises.
First significant household fraud conviction
The imprisonment of two men for trying to defraud insurance companies for household claims worth more than £100 000 has been described as the industry's first significant conviction for household fraud.
Editor's comment - RBSI: happy at home
Following the announcements of staff cuts and the possible withdrawal of NIG from personal lines, Royal Bank of Scotland Insurance showed its hand this week, and it was — to say the least — a little soiled by bodily injury claim losses.
Axa chief hails 'one-off' CL opportunity
Axa Insurance is preparing to unveil a restructure of its commercial division after revenues in the first six months fell by 18% year-on-year.
RBSI CEO cries injustice as it is hit with 30 PPOs
Royal Bank of Scotland Insurance's decision to strengthen its reserves by £320m in lieu of bodily injury claims has contributed to an operating loss of £253m in the first six months of the year.
Sabre to join Provident on Tesco panel
Sabre is poised to join Provident Insurance on Tesco Bank's specialist motor panel, Post has learnt.
IFB joins forces with City Police as Cheatline calls reach all time high
The Insurance Fraud Bureau is to support City of London Police with 'Wise Up', a three week fraud awareness campaign which begins on 18 August.
EMEA insurance buyers reap benefits from increased competition
Insurance buyers across Europe, the Middle East and Africa are reaping the cost benefits created by greater competition among insurers for their business and the added capacity generated by new entrants to the market, according to a new report.