Property
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.
In series - first-party fraud: banging the drum
The industry is slowly changing public perceptions that insurance fraud is a victimless crime. Jane Bernstein looks at recent initiatives and asks what more the market can do in terms of prevention?
ARM launches building valuation service
Aspen Risk Management has launched a free building valuation assessment service for its broker partners and clients.
QBE sets sights on $5bn PCM target
QBE Europe's property, casualty and motor division has set its sights on becoming a $5bn (£3.03bn) business by the end of 2015. Ash Bathia, PCM chief underwriting officer, said the business is growing from its current premium level of $2.7bn, while still…
Post magazine – 5 May 2011
The latest issue of Post magazine is now available to subscribers as a digital and interactive e-book.
Irish brokers wary of Quinn business model after takeover - Insurance News Now – 5 May 2011
Post reporter Amy Ellis outlines this week's major general insurance stories including the uncertainty over the business model of the former Quinn Insurance following its takeover by Liberty Mutual and Anglo Irish Bank.
Brit launches new package policy for US higher education sector
Brit Insurance has launched a new package policy designed specifically for the needs of the US higher education community.
Allianz wins dental deal with Farleys
Allianz Commercial has secured a multi-year partnership with Farleys Insurance Brokers.
RSA acquires Oak Underwriting
RSA has strengthened its position in the high net worth arena with the acquisition of Oak Underwriting.
No immediate upward movement in insurance rates: Marsh
Despite record level first-quarter catastrophe losses, insurance rate increases were confined to loss-affected exposures, according to research published today by Marsh.
Recent changes pay off for commercial property broker
Cadogan Keelan Westall is on target to more than double new business growth in 2011.
Imperial invests in staff training centre
Building claims validation specialist Imperial Consultants is spending £1m on a new staff training centre.
HNW - water damage: who reigns when it pours?
High net worth homeowners need to be aware of the optimal conditions and prevention measures that can be taken to keep art collections, antiques, contents and buildings in the best condition possible. As April showers loom, Annabel Fell-Clark advises on…
HNW - rates: costs under control
The customer is currently winning in the mid and high net worth sectors, with rates only climbing slowly. David Sweeney looks at what the industry must do to price for profit and continue to provide great service.
Homelet 30% ahead of target to smash 2010 £10m profit
Barbon Insurance Group's current most profitable business Homelet is aiming to "smash" its 2010 profit by December.