Property
Takaful: The Islamic state
Despite centuries of tradition and an estimated worldwide value in the billions, Takaful insurance, grounded in sharia‑compliant practices, has struggled to find traction in the UK.
Hiscox adds new lines to overseas property cover
Hiscox has made several additions to the home insurance available to UK private clients with overseas homes.
Allianz personal lines stalwart joins Zurich
Zurich has appointed Gareth McChesney as director of personal lines underwriting and pricing for its UK general insurance business.
Willis Re encouraged by Flood Re government liability and excesses pledge
Proposed pool will not impose a significant administrative burden on insurance businesses nor undermine the commercial environment according to Willis Re.
Deloitte and PwC welcome flood decision
Deloitte and PwC agree today’s agreement will benefit households at a high risk of flooding.
Property industry supports ‘long-awaited’ universal flood solution
The British Property Federation has welcomed the universal flood cover that the confirmation of a flood agreement between the insurance industry and government will bring.
Aqua relaunches HNW home wordings
Aqua Underwriting has moved to revitalises its high net worth home wordings to enhance cover, expanding the range of risks protected.
RSA wins Police Mutual home insurance contract
RSA has been appointed by Police Mutual to write its home insurance product, extending the 20-year partnership on motor insurance.
Legal & General strikes deal with Tesco Compare
Legal & General has signed a deal to provide home insurance on Tesco Compare’s panel from June 2013.
Interview: Chris Hall - A quest for success
A decade ago Chris Hall led a small team that risked it all to buy loss adjuster Questgates. Now it is worth £11m – and the managing director hopes to double that figure within the next 10 years.
High Net Worth: Worth the effort
Research by Home & Legacy suggest there is little consensus in what constitutes a mid or high-net-worth customer. But what does this mean for the market?
Insurance infographic: The Impact of the 2011 Energy Act on property lettings
In this insurance infographic, Zurich focuses on the Energy Act 2011 which contains provisions to make it unlawful from April 2018 to rent property that does not hit minimum energy efficiency standards.
MA Assist targets SNOL with property claims validation tools
MA Assist claims its new online system will transform the efficient handling of the ‘second notification of loss’ stage in property claims management.
Accenture reports 10% rise in fraudulent insurance claims in three years
More than two-thirds (71%) of claims executives at European property and casualty insurance companies have seen an increase in the number of fraudulent claims over the past three years, according to Accenture.
Insurers split over police’s burglary notification plan
Scheme developed to help reduce victims of crime
European non-life premiums up 3% in 2012 to €459bn
New figures published today by Insurance Europe show a provisional increase in total European gross written premiums of 1.6% at constant exchange rates in 2012. This follows a decline in premiums of over 2% in 2011.
Manchester Police backtrack on unsecured burglary plans
Greater Manchester Police have backtracked on comments from chief inspector Steve Macfarlane that the force will automatically inform insurers where burglaries occur at unsecured properties.
Insured flood losses likely to be below 2002 level
The macroeconomic losses from the floods in central Europe are likely to far exceed the insured losses, Munich Re’s chief executive Niclaus von Bomhard said.
Ex-Axa director joins Hiscox Europe board
Hiscox has appointed former Axa director Florence Tondu-Melique as its new European chief operating officer.
Manchester Police to inform insurers if burglary victims at fault
Insurers may be automatically informed if a burglary occurs at an unsecured property under new plans from Manchester police.
Editor's comment: Hit in the pocket home and away
Last week I described fraudsters as the long-standing foe insurers are unable to rid themselves of, and this week, true to form, they struck both home and away in the place it hurts insurers most – their pockets.
Property Claims 2013: Insurers told to go Down Under
Insurers could boost the industry’s reputation by imitating the Australian model of working closer together to tackle catastrophic claims surges, according to John Pyall, head of Munich Re’s Great Lakes facilitated claims unit.
Property Claims 2013: Cashing-out not always the answer
Axa’s head of commercial property claims has raised concerns that cashing-out on property claims can lead to them being mishandled or resurfacing in the future.
Property Claims 2013: Property profitability under threat, says LV boss O’Roarke
Comparison sites and building practices pose problems