Insurance Age - 2010-03-03
Articles in this issue
Merger talk unfounded
Market rumours that SSP had opened talks with Broker Direct with a view to a possible takeover have been denied by both firms
'Obscene' levies squeeze broker finances
Brokers could be forced out of business as a result of huge financial demands in the shape of a £70m levy made by Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) and a significant increase in minimum Financial Services Authority (FSA) fees
Towergate HNW focus saves John Charcol from collapse
Towergate has snapped up troubled mortgage advisory business John Charcol from administration in a bid to boost its high-net-worth (HNW) and small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) proposition.
Confusion predicted in aftermath of Sants exit
Industry experts have voiced fears that the departure of Financial Services Authority (FSA) head Hector Sants will plunge the insurance sector into confusion
Marsh ProBroker 'ticks all boxes' for Nsure
Worthing-based Nsure has become one of the first companies to join the Marsh network, ProBroker, a year after it was launched
SMEs prefer to deal direct for risk management
Over a third of UK small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) would rather buy their insurance direct and less than a quarter would go to a broker for advice on risk management, according to QBE research
Brokers warned: IMD review may enforce UK fee disclosure
Broker trade bodies have warned that the current revamp of European law may lead to commission disclosure becoming mandatory in the UK
Aon exodus as property team defects to Bluefin
Market speculation insists that Aon is set to lose a team from its property division to a rival broking firm
Axa unveils motor revamp as UK general earnings plummet
Axa has stated its intention to impose targeted rate increases across its personal lines motor book and make a return to the direct motor market as it announced a significant slump in UK general insurance earnings
CBG deal signals SME focus
Insurance broker and financial services specialist CGB Group has sold part of its personal lines business to Swinton
'No validity': Industry quashes Quinn's construction findings
Quinn Insurance has been accused of 'scaremongering' following the publication of a survey it commissioned, which found that construction businesses had reduced overall insurance cover by an average of £3.2m
Jelf seeks cash boost following loss
Jelf has raised up to £19m in new funding following a difficult year of trading that saw it lose £9.7m
Tackling trading disputes: Allianz gives complimentary ATE to SMEs
Allianz has added free after-the-event (ATE) cover to all of its small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) insurance policies in a move it has claimed is a market first
Brokers ignore social networking potential
Nearly two thirds of brokers do not use social networking to support their business and have no intention to do so, according to an online poll on Insurance Age website broking.co.uk
Jackson proposals trigger Elite to launch outside ATE
The potential impact of the Jackson review has prompted legal expenses provider Elite to move out of its core after-the-event (ATE) market with the launch of two new niche schemes
Dedicated insurance portfolio targets time-poor professionals
Wesleyan has launched a dedicated home, motor and travel insurance service for affluent professionals
Groupama: online trading push to underpin commercial ambitions
Groupama Insurances' commercial chief has outlined the insurer's ambition to expand its electronic trading capability in 2010
Brokers warned that failure to retain e-data risks legal action
Brokers are at an increased risk of litigation if they fail to keep a detailed record of all e-communications for an adequate amount of time, according to legal experts
TGS confident in becoming top software house
Transactor Global Solutions (TGS) will become the software house of choice for the broking community and quadruple in size by 2013, according to its chief technology officer
Survey reveals brokers unaware of corporate manslaughter risk
Almost half of commercial brokers are unaware of their clients' level of exposure to corporate manslaughter legislation, according to new research
Are we getting our just deserts?
One can only surmise that sometime in the past, Gordon Brown had an unfortunate experience with a general insurance broker
Interview: Eric Galbraith - The voice of unity
Biba's Eric Galbraith talks to Martin Friel about the importance of forming a single industry voice following the defection of Liiba
At your service?
This month's discussion, sponsored by Ecclesiastical, focuses on why composite insurers' service levels is an area of weakness and what steps can be taken by the industry to improve claims handing?
A good day for lawyers?
Paul Asplin examines the effects a rise in employment and general contract claims have had on low-cost family legal protection and considers whether it can survive as an add-on to household insurance
Reportage: An open claims book
Demonstrating a dependable claims service can win new clients and guarantee renewals, so why do many insurers continue to disappoint? Liz McMahon investigates sub-standard service
Reportage: Exemplary service
If you want a job done properly, do it yourself. Martin Friel explores how, by securing delegated authority, some brokers have taken this motto on and are proving very good at handling claims themselves
Reportage: Leading the claims way
Guiding clients through the claims process is a crucial element of broker service. Louise Meeson explores the role of the intermediary and the benefits of guaranteeing a reliable claims service
Reportage: What's on the cards for reform?
As the insurance industry waits for the Ministry of Justice reforms to be put into practice, Simon Burley considers whether the intended claims solution will indeed be quicker, simpler and cheaper
PMI rising high?
The cost of private medical treatment has soared in recent years - double-digit increases annually - but can providers realistically offset costs through premium rises alone? Liz McMahon reports
Referral fees: An honest buck?
With the Jackson proposals threatening to ban referral fees paid by solicitors, Martin Friel ponders whether brokers would feel completely comfortable if they were asked to disclose such information
