Property - personal
FCA promises action against overcharging brokers
The Financial Conduct Authority has warned brokers it will “take action” against those charging inflated commissions for arranging cladding cover, with some charging up to 62%.
Top 75 MGAs: ICW Insurance Services
With offices in London, Belfast and South Shields, ICW’s links with mortgage lenders have made it one of the UK’s prominent providers of building warranties and building control.
Who’ll buy RSA’s home and pet books if sale is green-lit?
Content Director’s View: With RSA and parent Intact floating the idea of a possible sale of its remaining personal lines business, Jonathan Swift looks at who could be in the market for a new pet and/or household book.
Heather Smith’s exit sees further changes at top of Allianz
Allianz has named Henry Topham as the new managing director of its UK retail business, following the news Heather Smith will be leaving to head up Axa Health.
A fire-free summer does not call for complacency
Paul Redington, regional major loss manager of Zurich, explains why insurers and the government should work together to create a risk map of areas vulnerable to wildfires.
#29 ASR
Netherlands-domiciled ASR is in 29th place in this year’s Insurance Post Top 30 European Insurers 2023 List after reporting 3.7% average premium growth for the year.
#27 Crédit Mutuel
France-domiciled Crédit Mutuel is in 27th place in this year’s Insurance Post Top 30 European Insurers 2023 List after reporting 10.9% average premium growth for the year.
Data analysis: Trends in the buildings and contents insurance market
Defaqto’s Angela Pilley examines how many building and content insurance providers are operating today compared with a decade ago, how product features have changed, and the types of fees and charges attached to this type of cover.
Zurich to focus on HNW, MGAs and partnerships as it pulls out of broker PL
Zurich UK has today announced plans to refocus its personal lines home and motor business to concentrate on high-net-worth through Zurich Private Clients, alongside its MGA and partnership channels.
Government grills FCA on broker commission
Sheldon Mills, executive director for consumers and competition at the Financial Conduct Authority, conceded the regulator needs to “be tougher on brokers” after Dame Angela Eagle slammed them for “ripping off leaseholders”.
Allianz reveals Treloar’s successor at LV
Allianz has named Serge Raffard as its new personal managing director, following the recent news that Steve Treloar has decided to leave to pursue new opportunities.
Zurich challenges itself to halve HNW quote times
As Zurich looks to invest further in the high net worth space, head of personal lines and specialties Phil Ost wants to challenge his HNW team to respond to brokers’ quotes within 24 hours
Complexity and cost of insuring Britain’s historic buildings
Forty years since the English Heritage rebranded to Historic England under Margaret Thatcher’s government, Pam Kokoszka explores the role the insurance industry plays in protecting listed buildings.
Believe in better – will Sky Protect break the smart tech home insurance hoodoo?
Content director’s view: Jonathan Swift muses on whether Sky Protect could disrupt the household insurance Premier League in the same way it did with English football following its investment in the game in 1992.
Utility Warehouse launches Gibraltar-based insurer
The Utility Warehouse has launched its own stand-alone insurance company, as it seeks to make a greater push into the financial services market.
Diary of an Insurer: Raji
Ola Jacob Raji, former broker success manager at Flood Flash Ltd, spreads the gospel on parametric and explores ways to attract more women to the industry.
Could insurance brokers soon face caps on commission?
Analysis: As the government demands pulling the plug on unfair insurance commission, Frances Stebbing examines whether the regulator could change the rules for how brokers get paid.
RSA’s personal motor withdrawal was More Than inevitable
Content Director's View: Jonathan Swift reflects on RSA's withdrawal from personal motor and concludes it had been coming for a few years now.
Heatwave sees subsidence insurance payouts surge to £219m
Insurers expect to pay £219m in subsidence claims made in 2022, according to the latest Association of British Insurers data.
Perils pegs February 2022 storm losses at €3.8bn
Perils estimates that the final loss for the European windstorm series, which affected the UK and continental Europe from 16 to 21 February 2022, comes to €3.8bn.
Weather and inflation turn up the heat on Allianz Holdings’ profit
Allianz Holdings saw its 2022 operating profit more than halve as a result of higher-than-expected inflation and continued disruptive weather, CEO Colm Holmes has said.
Why property insurers are struggling to control claims costs
Analysis: Sam Barrett explores how inflation, increased labour costs plus material shortages are pushing up property insurance claims costs and why working with loss adjusters to remove frictional cost is essential.