Property
Ageas to hike household rates to emulate motor
Ageas is set to continue hiking rates on its household insurance, on top of the 10% it has already pushed through in the first quarter of 2011, in a bid to replicate the improved combined ratio already seen in its UK private motor performance.
Junction sees huge boost after B&B buy
A year after its acquisition of Bradford & Bingley's motor and home insurance business, Junction claims to have boosted new home policies by 200%, increased sales on its smaller motor book by 1000% and improved renewal rates by 25%. The firm has now…
Fish eyes boutique growth after ex-Lockton partner hire
Private equity-backed broker Fish Insurance is set to make a play for boutique commercial insurance, following the hire of a former Lockton partner to spearhead a new division.
Lloyd's & London Market - Remuneration: War of the words
Lloyd's brokers are on the defensive after controversy surrounding commissions and fees re-emerged. But as underwriters demand clarity once and for all, are buyers happy as long as premiums stay low and their own charges stay transparent? Ralph Savage…
BMS grows US wholesale team
Broker BMS Group has recruited Glencairn property boss Ian Gormley to help grow its US wholesale business.
Mitsui steps up mid-market regional push
Mitsui Sumitomo is poised to open its doors in Birmingham as part of its regional mid-market push, ahead of the unveiling of its new property-led product for this target segment in quarter four. The news follows last month's four-strong recruitment in…
Law report: An inflammatory judgment on findings of fire fraud
This law report has been contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Damage management - Surge: Surging ahead
Recent surge events have shown insurers are getting better at coping with large numbers of claims but there is still room for improvement. Sam Barrett finds out what could make a crucial difference the next time an extreme event occurs.
Barbon trading platform on track for a summer launch
Barbon Insurance Group is now "weeks away" from launching its wholesale broker online trading platform via property business Keelan Westall.
Career development & CSR: Barbon tackles homelessness with 1% of profit ambition
Barbon Insurance Group aims to raise the equivalent of 1% of its profits over three years in support of UK homeless charities, as part of a new corporate social responsibility strategy.
Gable to review business as profit soars 76%
Gable is to embark on a “complete review” of the business in preparation for the implementation of Solvency II.
Europ Assistance unveils new management team
Europ Assistance has completed a shake-up of its UK senior management team with the appointment of Peter Dingle as commercial director.
Catlin Q1 GWP bolstered by Swiss start-up as UK/London dips 10%
Catlin this morning reported that it had seen an 11 per cent increase in gross premiums written ($1.4bn or £860m) and that over half (52 per cent) had been written by non-London/UK underwriting hubs.
Consultancy warns over rate rise complacency
Personal lines insurers have been warned to guard against complacency, despite the potential for improved growth and increased profitability in the sector.
Insure & Go ditches home and motor to push travel ambition
Mapfre-owned online travel provider Insure & Go has ceased writing home and motor business ahead of a global roll-out of its direct travel insurance model.
MA Assist wins exclusive RSA commercial contract
RSA has appointed MA Assist as sole repair supplier for its commercial property claims.
Energy - small operators: Oiling the wheels
Oil and gas is a high-risk industry and insurance prices reflect this. Gordon Patterson explains why this is a problem for smaller operators and what they can do to ensure they are not priced out of the market.
Lloyds seeks GI partner to focus on banking
Lloyds Banking Group is expected to seek a joint venture partner for its general insurance business amid strong speculation that it is gearing up to dispose of its Edinburgh-based life and pensions business Scottish Widows.
Aviva unveils corporate risk team
Aviva has revealed the senior structure of its corporate risk and speciality business.
RBSI returns to operating profit as income falls 7%
Royal Bank of Scotland Insurance has reported an operating profit of £67m in the first quarter of the year compared to a loss of £50m in the same period in 2010.
Swiss Re reports net loss of $665m
Swiss Re has reported a net loss of US$665m for the first quarter of 2011, compared to a profit of US$158m recorded in the same period of 2010.
Editor's comment: tying the knot
The rest of the world may remain obsessed by romance or reactionaries but the UK insurance industry has unveiled its own all-consuming love affair this week. Acquisitions abound in the headlines and bullish talk is nothing short of bountiful.
Overseas market - Saudi Arabia: full of Middle Eastern promise
With a fast-growing insurance sector, Saudi Arabia is a country on the move. Dexter Morse gives a detailed overview of market developments and potential.
Interview - Ash Bathia: building the profitability platform
QBE Europe kept competitors on their toes as it built the business and branched out. Underwriting boss Ash Bathia tells Mairi MacDonald where his sights are now set.