Schemes
Brokers wary over Groupama transfers as S&P puts Aviva and Axa on rating alert
Up for sale insurer may be helped by wider eurozone worries.
Broker focus - Personal lines: Survival tactics
Embattled personal lines brokers are facing a tough climate with falling incomes and business volumes, but those willing to adapt to the new environment can survive and prosper.
Arc Legal teams up with Swinton Commercial
Arc Legal Assistance has secured a deal to provide commercial legal expenses and an extended online employment manual service to Swinton Commercial.
New Coverbox boss van der Merwe aims to beat telematics rivals on pricing
The new boss of telematics insurance provider Coverbox has outlined plans to better match premiums to its customers’ driving habits, insisting the current ‘pay-as-you-drive’ players are not making best use of the available technology.
Spotlight on environment: Providing protection
With climate change increasing the likelihood of natural disasters, insurers must influence the debate on how businesses and governments manage risks such as supply chain failure.
Spotlight on environment: Getting protected
When the Statement of Principles on the provision of flood insurance expires next year, how will insurers address the 200 000 high-risk households left struggling for cover?
Allianz launches ‘landmark’ scholarship scheme
Up to 50 brokers across the country are expected to sign up for a “landmark” Allianz Commercial scholarship scheme aimed at boosting standards of professionalism within the industry.
Growth in green energy prompts Rural to enter market
Specialist agricultural insurer Rural, part of UKGI, is the latest business to launch a suite of green insurance products to meet the growing demand for cover from farmers investing in renewable energy schemes.
Editor's comment: Time for a scrap over metal
As an avid music lover, the year end is always a good time to catch up with the inevitable flurry of ‘best of’ lists to make sure that I have not missed out on any gems.
Editor's comment: The winds of change
And so we end 2011 in a similar vein to December 2010, with loss adjusters doubling staff numbers, ramping up resources and putting into play their surge plans as severe weather conditions batter the UK.
Swinton contacts FSA after sacking executive board
An internal document circulated among Swinton employees has stated that the broker needs “to establish the true level of profits” at the firm in the aftermath of the sacking of its executive board.
PSTF: New generation of females in IT would benefit insurance industry
Industry leaders were told they stand to “reap the long-term benefits” of encouraging a new generation of females to take up an interest in the IT profession. Julie Feest, customer director at E-skills UK, explained to delegates from a range of major…
News analysis: Application fraud to top the agenda for motor insurers in 2012
The New Year’s resolution for many motor insurers is to tackle application fraud with the same force they have brought to bear on crash-for-cash fraudsters. “Staged motor accidents remain the top priority, but application fraud comes second,” according…
Interview - David Ross: Faster than the rest
David Ross is a man with a plan, pushing Arthur J Gallgaher International up the rankings with a seemingly unrivalled appetite for growth.
Health & safety: A matter of interpretation
Health and safety reform is high on the government’s agenda, but is the problem with application rather than legislation?
Cleaning contractor’s scheme for UK brokers launched
Gleaming Wholesale is a new scheme dedicated to the cleaning industry for UK insurance brokers and intermediaries, underwritten by Hiscox Insurance.
Parker Norfolk to double number of employees after takeover
Lloyd’s broker Miles Smith plans to double its employee numbers at newly acquired wholesale motor fleet specialist Parker Norfolk over the next 12 months.
Market moves: Fresh faces for underwriters
As the industry heads into December, underwriting agencies and insurers lead the way in the job market. This week saw major moves at Chubb, More Than and Travelers, while Evolution, Arista and Ink all welcomed new staff. It was another slow week for…
Review of the year - Loss adjusting: Ups and downs
2011 was another rollercoaster ride in the loss adjusting sector, with claims surges, criticism from insurers, struggles with recruitment, and mergers and acquisitions.
Darwin Clayton announces new MD
Tunbridge Wells-based schemes broker Darwin Clayton has appointed Simon Henderson as managing director.
Tottenham MP blasts insurer response to riots
Zurich has been forced to defend its alleged “woeful” response to the riots as small businesses fail to “fully understand” how to claim government funding.
Targeting young drivers pushes more insurers to switch to telematics
Co-operative Insurance is “on track” to have 10 000 customers signed up to its young driver telematics product, as Direct Line announces it too is targeting a pilot at this demographic.
Rehabilitation: Providing the carrot
While the use of rehabilitation has made great strides in the past few years, is a more co-ordinated approach with tangible incentives needed?
Groupama reorganises commercial underwriting operations
Groupama has reorganised its commercial underwriting operations in Manchester in a move it hopes will maximise the potential of the growing number of business opportunities identified in each region.