SME
Post Broking Supplement: The big issues for brokers
With the British Insurance Brokers' Association conference looming, brokers are warming up for the networking event of the year and their best opportunity to thrash out market issues. Post caught up with some of the biggest hitting national players to…
Proposals for standardised contract law spark debate among UK insurers
Industry leaders have vowed to keep a close eye on EU proposals to harmonise insurance contract law across the continent, amid concerns that brokers could face policy wording headaches.
First Recovery teams up with Composite Legal Expenses
Disaster recovery company First Recovery, in association with Composite Legal Expenses, is set to launch what it says is a "unique" insurance policy at this year's British Insurance Brokers' Association conference.
Nearly 80% of Vietnamese SMEs lack disaster preparation
Despite their exposure, small to medium sized businesses in Vietnam are seriously under-prepared for the possibility of a natural disaster, a study by the Asia Foundation has found.
QBE highlights dangers of slack fraud control at UK firms
Businesses have failed to update their anti-fraud procedures, despite one in five suffering fraud in the past 12 months, says insurer.
View from the top: Business continuity needed for SMEs
Only 39% of SMEs have business interruption cover in place.
Poole-based broker Alan & Thomas snaps up aviation specialist
Alan & Thomas Insurance Group has acquired specialist aviation, SME and personal insurance broker Emery Little.
QBE move for Brit secures broker backing as deal doubles regional GWP
Acquiring Brit UK's renewal rights is Australian insurer QBE's biggest UK deal in more than 10 years, and signifies its commitment to becoming a major player in the regional broker market insuring SMEs.
View from the top: a riot to remember
As debates resurface about the response to last year's riots, the question of inadequate SME cover returns.
Broking SME: Battle stations in the fight for the little guy
Brokers are facing increased competition for SME customers, but they're not going down without a fight
Editor's comment: Rewriting the Riot Act
I thought April had come early when I saw last week's headlines praising insurers for their handling of the riot claims for 2011.
NIG targets Scottish SME expansion
NIG has vowed to strengthen its Glasgow-based team by recruiting extra underwriters and phasing renewals handling back to the city in a bid to explore opportunities in the Scottish SME market.
Riot report praises insurers for settling 90% of domestic claims, but slams police
The insurance industry's role in the 2011 riots has been largely praised by the Riots Victims and Communities Panel in its report After the Riots published today.
RSA appoints new SME trading director
RSA has appointed a new SME trading director as part of what the company said is a renewed focus on the SME market.
Budget 2012: Red tape reductions expected to enhance SME growth
Zurich SME boss Richard Coleman has praised the Chancellor's budget announcement concerning a consultation on how small business with turnover of up to £77 000 pay tax.
Groupama UK CEO eases sale concerns with "terrific" results
Groupama UK chief executive Francois-Xavier Boisseau has declared himself "delighted" with his firm's performance after recording a pre-tax profit increase of 84% to £43.5m last year across combined operations.
Affinity: Managing relationships is vital
Affinity business is a growing area for insurers, but how can the industry avoid its pitfalls while making partnerships work?
All in the execution: Interview with Zurich's Stephen Lewis
Having "fixed the fundamentals" and realigned Zurich into three distinct divisions, Stephen Lewis is now seeing his plans come to fruition. So where does he go from here?
Editor's comment: Brokers more measured than Mel
This week, Scottish independence - and where businesses stand on the issue - was in the headlines, and very few major firms have raised their heads over the parapet to express a view on the subject.
Countdown to ISE: Q&A with guest speaker Steve Green
Steve Green, European middle market network leader for Zurich, will be presenting the session on 'Meeting the demands of the mid-market. Are insurers and brokers adequately servicing these clients?' at Insurance Strategy Europe taking place in Brussels…
In Series: Emerging Markets - India: a land of opportunity
With the economy in India struggling less than those of its Western counterparts, coupled with a rise in consumerism, the insurance industry has major opportunities open to it
Commercial Underwriting: Future Frontiers - the world of tomorrow
With the UK commercial insurance market poised to undergo significant change, management consultancy Oliver Wyman visited the year 2022 as part of its Future Frontier Insurance report to glimpse the future of the sector.
In Series: Emerging Markets - India: a land of opportunity
With the economy in India struggling less than those of its Western counterparts, coupled with a rise in consumerism, the insurance industry has major opportunities open to it
LV doubles profits in 2011
LV has improved its combined operating ratio by 6.5% to 97.7% for its full year results for 2011 from 104.2% in 2010.