SME
Trade Voice: Biba's Steve White on why insurance-bashing headlines won't help small businesses
Steve White, CEO of the British Insurance Brokers' Association, argues that sweeping headlines in the wake of last month's Supreme Court business interruption test case judgment haven't helped anybody.
Aviva’s Phil Bayles on an increasing risk but a decreasing priority – a perfect cyber storm?
Businesses have been stretched and tested over the last year, and in the move to increasing their digital presence and enabling employees to work from home, they are inadvertently leaving themselves exposed to cyber criminals, says Phil Bayles, chief…
For the Record: Ardonagh’s Australian M&A push; Axa in Co-op Bank tie-up; Rock diversifies with new MGA and SSP takeover gets FCA greenlight
Post wraps up the major insurance deals, launches, investments and strategic moves of the week.
Record £10.5bn of M&A in 2020 and smaller deals on the up, says Imas
There was a record £10.5bn of UK insurance distribution mergers and acquisitions in 2020, according to research by Imas, Post can reveal.
GRP strikes biggest deal since Searchlight investment with Marsh Networks buy
Global Risk Partners has agreed to buy Marsh’s UK networks for an undisclosed sum in a deal expected to close next quarter.
Insurance affordability and availability issues do not equate to market failure: ABI's James Dalton
The Covid-19 pandemic has not led to market failures in the UK insurance sector, James Dalton, director of general insurance policy at the Association of British Insurers, has said.
Interview: Christian Formby, Assurant
Assurant’s Europe boss Christian Formby tells Post how he came into the role, explains the growth opportunities for its B2B2C connected home, lifestyle and car offering and discusses how it faces competition from all angles, despite having no similar…
Disputes over furlough deductions from BI claims continue as adjusters and assessors call for clear guidance
Loss adjusters and assessors have called on the government and regulators to publish clear guidance on how government support received by businesses is to be treated in respect of lockdown-related interruption claims.
Blog: From small acorns - brokers need to heed the pandemic start-up boom
The impact of an unstable 2020 is not completely bleak, with an increase in the number of UK start-ups since the pandemic began. Oliver Leyens, a director at Heath Crawford, argues brokers need to highlight the benefit of an advised sale to make sure…
Interview: Paul Coleman and Allison Hughes, Peach Pi
Last October saw the launch of Peach Pi, an insurance brand pitching itself to the UK’s micro-SMEs, freelancers and entrepreneurs. Harry Curtis caught up with managing director, Paul Coleman and Allison Hughes, head of distribution to learn about how the…
Analysis: ERS goes commercial
Broker-only motor insurer ERS has the chance to make its mark in the commercial sector but will need to recruit well and target niche larger risks.
LV’s Heather Smith on crucial brand value
As the industry responds to the Financial Conduct Authority’s pricing shake-up and tackles the ongoing challenges of the coronavirus pandemic Heather Smith, managing director of the LV General Insurance retail business, addresses why having a trusted…
FCA will use ‘full range’ of regulatory tools and powers to ensure insurers meet expectations after BI ruling
The Financial Conduct Authority has set out the next steps it expects insurers to take after the Supreme Court judgment on the Covid-19 business interruption claims test case last Friday.
Frustrated policyholders call for insurers to ‘take responsibility’ after Supreme Court rules many are due payouts
Policyholders and their representatives have called for insurers to “take responsibility” and “immediately start paying claims” in the wake of a bittersweet Supreme Court judgment on disputed coronavirus-related business interruption policies.
Briefing: BI ruling a self-made catastrophe for insurers
Insurers have been found hugely wanting by a business interruption judgment that is a victory for common sense. But the struggle is not over yet, for them or their customers.
Hiscox response to BI ruling 'misleading' says Mishcon lawyer
A lawyer representing Hiscox's business interruption policyholders has called a statement by the insurer stating that fewer than one third of its policies may pay out following this morning’s Supreme Court judgment “misleading”.
Intelligence: Gaming the new frontier
The insurance needs of the gaming sector are complicated and ever evolving but there are plenty of opportunities for those prepared to immerse themselves in this flourishing market.
Former Lib Dem leader brands insurer Covid BI claims handling 'deeply depressing'
Former Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron has called the conduct of insurers during the coronavirus pandemic “deeply depressing” and urged the Chancellor of the Exchequer to “take steps to protect insurance customers from the actions of insurers”.
Iprism swings back to profit in 2020
Iprism Underwriting Agency has returned to profit in 2020 with a bottom line result of £435,365 reversing its £761,988 loss the year before when it was hit by restructuring costs.
Q&A: Tulsi Naidu, Zurich
Zurich UK CEO Tulsi Naidu will become the firm's Asia Pacific CEO in Singapore from 1 January 2021. She spoke to Post about her tenure in the UK, the importance of transparency and the challenges facing the market.
No Supreme Court BI judgment before January, says FCA
Insurers and policyholders will have to wait until next year for the final outcome of the Financial Conduct Authority-led business interruption test case, according to an update from the regulator.
Alarm sounded on bookings business that sold unauthorised Covid cancellation cover
The Financial Conduct Authority has issued a warning against a bookings software provider that marketed a cancellation insurance product to owners of UK holiday lets, following an investigation by Post.
FCA consults on proving presence of Covid-19 for BI claims
The Financial Conduct Authority has launched a consultation on guidance to policyholders, insurers and intermediaries on how the presence of Covid-19 in a particular area may be proved for the purposes of business interruption claims.
Spotlight: Cyber - How have cyber risks changed since the Covid-19 pandemic started?
With millions of UK employees forced to work from home during the Covid-19 lockdowns, organisations are more aware than ever of the cyber risks they face. But, while many expect this to push up demand for cyber insurance, the new landscape could also…