Property
Questgates makes six appointments
Two former Merlin staff have joined Questgates with a view to developing a new subsidence product.
MPs challenge Paterson on flood stand-off
The Environment Food and Rural Affairs Committee has called on the government to act quickly to resolve its stand-off with insurers over the provision of affordable flood cover.
Editor's comment: Making a stand at last
The Association of British Insurers finally decided this week to reveal the detail of exactly what it is asking government to commit to that will secure affordable flood insurance for 200 000 homes currently facing exorbitant or zero cover come next July.
Penny Black's Insurance Week
For some reason, the insurance industry fails to make it onto a list of dream jobs. Penny Black feels something fishy is afoot.
Interview: Reg Brown - Been there, done that, got the t-shirt
Reg Brown has seen it all in more than half a century working in insurance, but the chairman of the Managing General Agents’ Association’s drive to improve the industry and inspire its next generation is stronger than ever.
Market Moves: Liberty makes three additions
Liberty was the most active recruiter this week, with Liberty International Underwriters appointing two senior underwriters to its aviation team and Liberty Syndicates adding a class underwriter to its war and terrorism unit.
Square Mile obtains CII broking status
Commercial insurance brokers Square Mile has been awarded Chartered Insurance Institute status, having met the criteria relating to professionalism and capability.
Frontline outlines plans to boost Budget Insurance business
BGL Group-business unit Frontline has unveiled plans to double the size of insurance brand Budget in the next five years.
LAS signs up to environmental management business plan
Birmingham-based claims management company LAS Claims has set out plans to achieve an international environmental accreditation by early 2013.
Web seminar: The future of property underwriting
With the current flood risk agreement between the insurance industry and the government due to expire next year, the future of property underwriting could look very different.
Ex-Barbon duo launches property broker
A new property insurance broker has been launched in London’s West End by the co-founder of Keelan Westall and former head of business at Barbon-owned Cadogan Keelan Westall, Brett Sainty.
Aviva rallies to help flood-hit policyholders
Aviva has been providing alternative accommodation and interim emergency payments for policyholders in the weather-beaten Midlands, southwest and the west of England.
Allanfield overstates revenue and profit by £835 000
Specialist real estate insurance broker Allanfield Group has overstated revenue and profit before tax relating to £835 000.
Swinton unveils north east office
Swinton Group has opened its first commercial office in the north east as part of a long-term plan to extend its commercial arm across the UK.
Metal theft is 'biggest problem' for property owners
The damage caused by thieves trying to steal metal is proving to be the biggest problem for property owners, according to Zurich.
LV Broker teams up with specialist home insurance provider
LV Broker has launched its ABC home insurance product on Insure 4 Retirement.
Aspen swoops for Fusion marine underwriter
Aspen Risk Management has appointed Paul Singh as marine underwriting manager.
Germany sees premium growth but motor still loss making
German insurers are expected to reap a 1.5% rise in premiums to €180.7bn this year, the head of the industry trade body GDV said on Wednesday.
Allianz to increase property and energy investment
Allianz is to double its investment in alternative assets, including property loans and renewable energy, to produce better yields from its investment portfolio.
Competition to heat up in housing market
Ernst & Young has predicted that the household insurance sector will produce a combined operating ratio of 95% in 2012, despite this summer's flooding and other variable weather throughout the year.
Allianz CEO Torrance blasts 99.1% COR as 'unacceptably poor'
Allianz UK's commercial lines combined operating ratio deteriorated to 99.1% for the first nine months of 2012 from 95.1% in Q3 2011 as the retail non-motor COR worsened to 101.7%.
New LMA property risks wordings to provide clarity for underwriters
A new standard wording for power and utility property risks placed in the Lloyd's market was unveiled at this week's London Power Forum.
Generali profit up 37.3% for first nine months despite cat losses
Italian insurer Generali posted 37.3% growth in net profit to €1,133m in the first nine months of 2012, driven by progress in production and strong growth in the life operating result.
Benign nat cats help Swiss Re to $2.2bn net income in Q3
Swiss Re reported net income of $2.2bn in the third quarter of 2012, driven by strong performance from P&C reinsurance and a one-off gain from the sale of the Admin Re US business.