SME
Hiscox profits dive 61% in 2019
Hiscox Group has reported a slump in pre-tax profits to $53.1m (£41.6m) in 2019 as catastrophe costs of $165m took their toll despite a significant rise in investment income.
Blog: Whither next or wither next for Pool Re?
Post senior reporter Emmanuel Kenning asks if Pool Re is facing an existential crisis after the Office for National Statistics’ judgement that the mutual reinsurer should become part of the government.
Q&A: Gary Humphreys, Markerstudy
Markerstudy’s group underwriting director, Gary Humphreys, discusses taking a pause on commercial business, progress on the Co-op Insurance buy, debt, making further acquisitions and the rated versus unrated debate as well as backing MGAs and the future…
This week: The wait is over
The wait began in 2017, and many of us felt that the agonising limbo might never end. But after two and a half years, the wait is finally over. That’s right: Kesha’s new album is out today.
Budget 2020: What are the Chancellor's options on IPT?
Insurers have ramped up lobbying attempts to convince the government to slice the rate of Insurance Premium Tax. Post investigates why they may well have good reason to be worried it could be cranked up the other way.
Banks push further into UK SME insurance
Banks have nearly doubled their share of the UK SME insurance market in two years, according to research published by Globaldata.
Insurtech: Six insurtech start-ups to watch in 2019
As Post gears up to launch the 2019 Insurtech 100 listing in association with Tallt, Post content director Jonathan Swift highlights six businesses that will hope to be featured in forthcoming rankings
Former Iprism holding company moves towards liquidation with small payout
Unsecured creditors of Spectrum Bidco are in line to get a £216,112 payout as the former holding company of Iprism Underwriting Agency moves from administration into creditors’ voluntary liquidation.
BHIB launches online freelancers brand Create Insurance
BHIB has rolled out Create Insurance an online offering targeting freelancers in the creative industries, from photographers to script writers.
Ransomware attack victim Travelex has cyber insurance
Foreign exchange provider Travelex, which has been offline since New Year’s Eve after a cyber attack, has cyber insurance in place.
Pool Re broadens SME business interruption coverage
Pool Re has expanded its definition of SMEs to include firms with assets up to £5m, increasing the number eligible for its business interruption cover at no extra cost.
Government flood review should focus on improving under-insurance as insurers will resist floodplain extensions
Insurers will support the government's investigation into insufficient insurance cover in the recent Yorkshire floods but will resist any attempts to widen Flood Re to cover recent floodplain developments, the Association of British Insurers has said.
Environment Secretary opens review into insurance cover after recent Yorkshire floods
The government is set to investigate the extent to which those affected by the recent flooding in Yorkshire did not have sufficient insurance cover.
Analysis: Revisiting 'Flood Re Plus' for businesses
The idea of a Flood Re Plus scheme has been mooted by Airmic as a solution for those businesses that struggled to obtain flood cover
Innovu Group buys equestrian specialist Wexford Insurances in Ireland
Sheridan Insurances owner Innovu Group has bought Wexford Insurance Group in Ireland for an undisclosed sum.
This week: Running off
Though a new decade and the opportunity for new beginnings are now firmly in view, this week proved that 2019 still has some endings to get out of the way first.
Q&A: CII society chairs
Following recent changes to the Chartered Insurance Institute's societies, Post caught up with Sue McCall, chair of the Society of Claims Professionals, Kevin Hancock, chair of the Society of Insurance Broking and Philip Williams, non-executive director…
Blog: The changing face of the SME market
The SME market is changing, with more IT consultants, gig workers and freelance project managers emerging alongside traditional businesses. To support both the old and new Helen Bryant, director of SME markets at Allianz Insurance, argues the insurance…
Harris Balcombe creates head of cyber risks role
Mark Harris has joined loss assessor Harris Balcombe as head of cyber risks, Post can reveal.
Analysis: What's on the horizon for 2020?
For an industry that strives to understand and manage risk, uncertainty is not something that is relished. But with some market hardening, a final report from the Financial Conduct Authority on pricing practices and the possibility of Brexit all on the…
A-Plan breaks £100m revenue barrier and set to open 100th office
A-Plan will be opening its 100th office within the next two months, CEO Carl Shuker told Post.
Creditors approve liquidation process for ex-Iprism holding company
The creditors of Spectrum Bidco, a former holding company of Iprism Underwriting Agency, have approved its administrator’s proposals which will lead to the liquidation of the company.
Ex-Aviva director Russell launches 'Fit Bit for business' insurtech Brisk
An insurtech fronted by a former Aviva director is in negotiation with a trio of major insurers about adopting its solution, which co-founder and CEO James Russell describes as “Fit Bit for business”.
Marsh Commercial unveils locations for five 'Enterprise Centres of Excellence'
Marsh Commercial has confirmed that Bristol, Glasgow, Harrogate, Leeds, and Worcester will host its previously announced Enterprise Centres of Excellence focused on SME business.