Property
New APC policy to cover Olympic tourist surge
Commercial insurance underwriting agency, APC, is to launch a new area rated hotel and guest house product to help UK proprietors to take advantage of the expected nationwide surge in tourist numbers resulting from the Olympics.
Property claims: Surveillance legislation should hold no fear for insurers
Insurers have been told to embrace surveillance and that they have nothing to fear from the legislation surrounding it.
Homecall attracts buyer interest
Grant Thornton has been appointed official liquidator of the failed supplier of emergency cover for homeowners and landlords, Homecall Plus. But uncertainty remains as to whether policies issued in the past five months were backed by an underwriter as…
Property claims: UK businesses have failed to respond to roof collapse threat
The severity of the winter 2010 cold snap exposed a lack of preparedness by UK businesses, according to Huw Chandler, property risk engineering practice leader at XL Insurance.
Property claims: Curb 'hide and seek' culture over claims
Insurers and claims firms have been told to curb "the hide and seek" culture obscuring the cost of claims handling.
Property claims: Lawyer in CFA plea
Non-foreseeability defences, often used in subsidence claims, could be on their last legs, according to a leading lawyer.
Commercial property - Sprinklers: A burning issue
The safety and business benefits of sprinkler systems are undeniable — yet many commercial buildings remain unprotected. David Townsend urges insurers to continue to lead the calls for mandatory inclusion.
Property claims: Businesses must be vigilant over arson threat
A range of effective measures can be used to identify and tackle arson in the UK, according to a claims expert at Crawford & Company.
Imperial replaces Davies
Imperial Consultants is set to replace rival claims firm Davies on Zurich's panel for low-value property repair validation, Post has learnt.
Penny Black's insurance week
Penny cannot help but feel rather jealous of Josh Mitchell, the graduate who has landed a £40 000-a-year job as an 'ambassador' at sporting and musical events for the creatures from the compare the meerkat adverts.
Keelan Westall generates £135k though dormant accounts
Keelan Westall has reactivated almost 100 dormant broker accounts, representing approximately £135 000 gross written premium over a 12-week period, following the launch of its ‘Win Back’ campaign.
Towergate sets £25m target for new in-house e-trading arm
Towergate Underwriting has targeted an additional £25m in gross written premium once its new commercial e-trading proposition goes live this summer. The firm currently claims to control a total of £600m in GWP — of which £75m is through various software…
Legal expenses - ATE: End of the road?
With the government giving the green light to implementation of Lord Jackson's civil litigation reforms, Leigh Jackson details the adverse reaction of legal expenses insurers and whether this sounds the death knell for the ATE market.
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.