SME
DLG improves combined ratio to 99.2%
Direct Line Group has reported a 9.3% rise in operating profit for ongoing operations to £461.2m (2011: £421.9m) including an underwriting profit of £28.2m compared to a loss in 2011 of £72.3m and a combined operating ratio of 99.2% (2011: 101.8%).
LV boss O'Roarke calls for "sanity" in 2013 motor market
LV general insurance managing director John O’Roarke is hopeful that "sanity" will be restored in the personal lines motor market in the year ahead and is predicting falling rates to pick up.
Zurich launches corporate accident and business travel product
Zurich has launched corporate accident a business travel policies available for business of all sizes, from SMEs to multinational corporations.
View from the Top: Where is the love?
Survey peddlers should be off the Valentine’s card list as they predict doom and gloom
Oliva provides product protection via DNA
Lumley Jacobs is to supply forensic coding to protect Oliva Underwriting’s plant and SME customers. The product will be used to protect contractors plant, tools, and SME office equipment.
16% of SMEs fear collapse in 2013: Zurich
More than 15% of SMEs perceive themselves to be at high risk of going out of business this year according to a survey by Zurich and YouGov.
In Series: Outsourcing - Clear the decks
Having underwriters carry out administration tasks wastes time and doesn't make business sense, says Paul Firkins.
LV teams up with Risk Stop on SME surveys
Risk Stop has secured a three-year deal with LV to provide the insurer's commercial policyholders with questionnaires designed to assess SMEs' risks.
R&Q launches first-party Lloyd's syndicate
Scor and XL have backed new £77m capacity Lloyd's syndicate launched by Randall & Quilter that will begin underwriting on 1 January.
Corporation tax cuts are 'encouraging', says RSA SME boss
RSA has applauded government plans to cut corporation tax to help struggling small and medium-sized businesses.
In conversation with Zurich: Growing SMEs
As a firm develops from a start-up to a fully fledged corporate entity, its risk profile inevitably changes. And, as its exposures change, its insurance needs evolve too.
Growing SMEs: SME-volution
From the earliest beginnings as innovative start-ups, to their ultimate emergence as corporate entities, evolving SMEs will always need brokers to ensure that cover matches exposure.
Growing SMEs: Room to manoeuvre
Small businesses are often subject to rapid change and growth, and it is essential that brokers and insurers understand how radically their risk profiles can evolve.
Post magazine - 6 December 2012
The latest issue of Post is now available to subscribers as a digital and interactive e-book.
APC takes first step into mainland Europe
APC has taken its first step into continental Europe by launching two SME insurance products in the Dutch market through its new platform APC Holland.
Towergate win boosts Gable GWP 'by 30%'
Towergate Underwriting has entered a five-year partnership with listed insurer Gable Holdings, which will act as a cover provider from January 2013.
Broker sales on back-burner
The sale of Groupama-owned brokers Bollington and Carole Nash are said to be on the back-burner while the dust settles on Ageas’ acquisition of the UK insurance arm.
Italy's SACE expands in India with permanent Mumbai office
Italy-based credit insurer SACE SpA has launched its Indian operations with the establishment of an office in Mumbai.
Ace underwriter Wickens joins Axa
Axa Commercial Lines and Personal Intermediary has appointed Adam Wickens as senior management liability underwriter.
Robotics and home working to be future face of SMEs
A business revolution is to change the landscape for small and medium enterprises over the next 50 years, according to new research from Zurich.
Online SME distribution: Embracing the internet age
The online SME distribution space has struggled to take off in recent years, but is this about to change?
Post magazine - 22 November 2012
The latest issue of Post is now available to subscribers as a digital and interactive e-book.
Roundtable: Legacy systems - IT frustrations and how to beat them
Legacy systems have been named as one of the biggest issues for IT managers, so how can the conundrum of what to replace - and when - be best addressed?
Aviva reveals 97% COR in steady results
Aviva's general insurance business delivered a combined operating ratio of 97% in the first nine months of 2012, in line with the previous year, excluding RAC.