Property
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).
Brit appoints Ray Cox as UK CEO
Brit Insurance has confirmed Ray Cox will succeed Peter Burrows as the chief executive officer of its UK Strategic Business Unit.
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…
Warning over buildings insurance errors
Homeowners are at risk of paying extra for their buildings insurance by falling foul of an error of insuring at market value rather than at rebuilding cost.
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.
Brokers worry about client choice as RSA bids for Aviva
Brokers have voiced concern that RSA's £5bn bid for parts of Aviva's general insurance business, including the UK, could ultimately limit client choice and competition.
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).
Allianz sees Eastern European GI profits fall 54% in H1
Allianz in Central and Eastern Europe today reported total premiums increased by 5 percent to €2bn, from €1.9bn in the first half of 2009.
L&E enters solicitors' PI market
Property specialist London & European is to offer professional indemnity insurance for solicitors.
Rok suspends finance director
Rok has suspended its finance director after an independent review uncovered serious failings in the financial control of its plumbing, heating and electrical business.
Imperial Consultants appoints new MD
Imperial Consultants has appointed Ian Hogarth, the firm’s current client development director, to the position of managing director.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Aegis London appoints new specie team
Aegis London has announced the appointment of a new specie team led by Ian Seakens, senior underwriter, and supported by Ian Morton, underwriter.
Dual in SME e-business launch
Dual Corporate Risks has launched an e-business strategy targeting small businesses.
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.
Fitch assigns German Provinzial Nordwest Group A+ rating
Fitch Ratings has assigned German property and casualty insurer Westfaelische Provinzial Versicherung AG and the life insurer Provinzial Nordwest Lebensversicherung AG insurer financial strength ratings of 'A+' with stable outlooks.
Groupama UK profits up 30% to £13.7m for H1 2010
Groupama's combined UK operations have recorded a pre-tax profit of £13.7m for the first six months of 2010 (H1 2009: £10.5m).
GAB Robins targets insurer claims
Loss adjuster GAB Robins is set to target insurers with a service which provides clients with additional claims handling capacity during busy spells.
Empty schools at risk of metal theft this summer
Ecclesiastical has warned that this summer holiday British schools are at risk of having valuable lead stripped from their roofs by criminals, causing major damage and leaving the buildings vulnerable to flooding.
Allianz Group operating profit up 22% in H1 2010
Allianz Group has recorded a profit of €3.9bn in the first half of 2010, a €0.7bn increase from the same period in 2009.