SME
SMEs at risk of underinsurance if IPT rises next week
SME businesses could be forced to scale back insurance cover leaving them at risk of underinsurance, if the government increases insurance premium tax in the Budget next week.
Start-up to bring pay-as-you-go commercial insurance to the UK's SME "heartland"
A new insurtech business launching in the first quarter of 2019 will provide flexible pay-as-you-go commercial insurance to SMEs.
FCA broadens ombudsman service to SMEs
The Financial Conduct Authority has announced its plans to broaden the Financial Ombudsman Service to benefit smaller SMEs.
Interview: Chris Lay, Marsh
Chris Lay enjoyed his time in Canada but Marsh’s new UK and Ireland CEO has no doubt that London is the place to be. “The UK is a priority for Marsh,” he told Cecile Brisson, just before the world’s biggest broker bought off London-based broker Jardine…
Analysis: Chatbots – Where is the love?
‘Chatbot’ has long-become an insurance industry buzzword, but penetration remains low and firms are still grappling with how to use early iterations of the technology. Elsewhere, some chatbot pilots have failed.
Analysis: Application interrogation
People who want to insure their home can’t always answer technical questions about their property. Insurers are calling on digital technologies to overhaul the whole application process
Aston Lark's Peter Blanc on the communication dilemma
As business insurance is increasingly sold online, Peter Blanc, group CEO of Aston Lark, warns against insufficient cover and lack of advice.
Analysis: How Amazon could make waves in claims
With talk abound of a possible Amazon entry into insurance distribution, what could an Amazon entry into claims look like?
Zurich weathers H1 storm claims and returns to profit
Zurich UK has seen operating profit rise 24% in H1, as a focus on commercial enabled the firm to avoid huge weather losses seen elsewhere.
Autonet's Ian Donaldson on how brokers innovate
Brokers have always innovated to survive and will continue to do so, writes Ian Donaldson, CEO of Autonet and Carole Nash, explaining how technology can help cross-selling.
Analysis: Beauty fraud: No pain, no gain
In an era of Instagram brows and duck lip selfies, the beauty industry is thriving. While most customers visit their hairdresser, nail bar or tanning salon to look smoking hot, others see a beauty treatment as a route to a windfall, via a fraudulent…
Insurtech start-up Next raises $83m
US-based insurtech start-up Next Insurance has raised $83m in a Series B funding round led by Redpoint Ventures and including Munich Re.
Norwegian insurtech start-up plots London base and funding round
Norwegian insurtech start-up Cloud Insurance is looking to establish an office in London in 2019 as it prepares for a funding round to help it grow the business.
British Insurance Awards 2018: Full list of winners, their stories and photos
Former Churchill and LV general insurance boss John O’Roarke took home the Achievement prize last night at the British Insurance Awards, where his new employer Aviva was among the big winners.
This Week in Post: cars and courts
As Britain is basking in glorious summer, the sun is also shining on the motor insurance market.
Risk management: Analysis: Intellectual property: Creative cover
The significance of intellectual property risks has not translated into a large demand for IP insurance policies - yet.
Risk management: Analysis: Zoo insurance: A walk on the wild side
Zoo insurance is a niche market, with only a few underwriters and brokers, all very much focused on managing a ferocious variety of risks for visitors, staff and animals.
Analysis: Social media is making virtual kidnap and ransom a reality
In a world where political volatility is rife and where an individual’s net worth and lifestyle are discoverable through a Google search or Instagram feed, kidnap for ransom has never been easier or more lucrative. As the threat to clients increases, so…
Roundtable: Digital innovation in commercial lines
The terms commercial lines and digital aren't often spoken together - is the problem that the industry doesn't talk about it or is it really not happening in the market?
L&G announces two deals as it looks to ramp up GI premium
Legal & General is now the majority capacity provider for a £550m five year binder with Pen Underwriting, as the general insurance business aims to grow its premium by double digits in the coming year.
Interview: Faizal Karbani, CEO, Insure Halal
Halal Insure has recently launched sharia-compliant household insurance covers. Its CEO Faizal Karbani speaks to David Worsfold about his hopes for takaful insurance in the UK.