SME
Russell Scanlan grows business by 6%
Independent Midlands-based insurance broker Russell Scanlan saw business grow by 6% over the previous financial year, aided by a strong performance from its new healthcare division.
Expertise in Action: E-Trading: Fierce competition
The growing SME market means competition for market share is intensifying but new working practices have changed SME liabilities. How can these be assessed and managed?
Expertise in Action: E-Trading: It’s all about service
As SMEs increasingly rely on technology to manage their businesses, is there a danger of the broker being replaced by e-trading platforms?
QBE releases web portal for SMEs in Hong Kong and Singapore
QBE's insurance portal QBE Qnect will enable intermediaries in Singapore and Hong Kong to transact SME insurance online.
Ageas boosts personal accident cover for SMEs
Ageas has made several changes to the cover offered under its personal accident policy for SMEs including an increase in cover for funeral and medical expenses.
City lawyer targets SMEs as he launches 'first' dedicated IP broker
City-based intellectual property lawyer David Bloom has launched what claims to be the UK’s first dedicated intellectual property insurance broker.
Simply Business parent profits dip 9% for 2013
Simply Business parent Xbridge has recorded drooping profits for 2013, while staff numbers surged over the 12 months.
Una chair calls for proof 'Britain is open for business' with SME Flood Re inclusion
The chairman of independent regional broking body Una has challenged the government to prove that “Britain is open for business” by facilitating small business growth with the inclusion of SMEs in Flood Re.
Directors' and officers' cover: Potential for growth
With directors’ & officers’ cover seeing a slight downturn in uptake recently, there is huge potential for insurers to tap into the market
Motor and home premiums fall almost 7% in past year
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has highlighted government and industry initiatives as a contributing factor behind a 6.8% reduction in the cost of motor and homes insurance in the past year.
Ipswich-based start-up Liability & General partners with James Hallam
James Hallam has sealed a partnership agreement with Liability & General, a business founded by former Oval and Giles executives Dave Mangan and Rob Allinson.
Zurich UK off-sets £35m Q1 flood losses as attritional loss ratio improves
Zurich UK general insurance interim chief executive Dave Smith has heralded an improved attritional loss ratio as an instrument of off-setting £60m of flood losses and long-tail liability costs incurred in the first half of the year.
Chase Templeton continues growth strategy with three new deals
Private medical insurance group Chase Templeton has secure an additional £4.2m in annual premium income after completing three new deals.
Ageas promotes Farr to Midlands underwriting role
Ageas has appointed Adam Farr as commercial regional underwriter for the Midlands.
Axa introduces real time pricing to Simple product range
Axa commercial lines and personal intermediary has introduced real time pricing to its simple product range on the Powerplace platform.
CFC launches IP cover for small businesses
Specialist underwriting agency CFC has launched a new intellectual property product targeting small and medium sized companies.
RSA and Allianz team up with Una on SME package
Independent broker alliance Una has launched an insurance package for SMEs alongside insurers RSA and Allianz.
Caretaker Zurich boss Smith targets 10% share of SME market
Zurich will attempt to wrestle control from established SME players Axa and Aviva in order to secure a 10% market share following the launch of its broker-only e-trading platform, according to interim UK general insurance chief executive David Smith.
Zurich heralds 'quantum leap' following SME e-trading launch
Zurich commercial broker interim managing director Richard Coleman believes the launch of a broker-only SME digital trading platform puts his firm “way ahead of the competition”.
Coleman to head up Zurich commercial broker on interim basis
Zurich’s commercial broker business will be led by the insurer’s SME director Richard Coleman on an interim basis following the temporary promotion of David Smith to the role of UK general insurance chief executive.
Broker Exit Strategies: Employees hold key to exit strategies
Eventual sale is no longer an easy way out for SME brokers looking for an exit strategy – instead, they are turning to employee ownership as an option
Brokers warn SMEs on underinsurance risk as online purchasing increases
Legislation complexity makes insurance obligations hard for firms to understand
Most SMEs unknowingly underinsured, Axa report shows
The majority of the UK’s 4.9 million SMEs are underinsured and half a million may be breaking the law by operating with inadequate cover, according to a report by Axa.
Allianz working to protect Bristol staff at risk of redundancy
Allianz is hopeful around half of the 41 employees at risk of losing their jobs due to the planned closure of its Bristol business insurance centre will be found roles within the group.