Insurance Age - 2011-01-03
Articles in this issue
Your opinions: Consumer Credit Directive reaction
Insurance Age welcomes your opinions via email, Linked In, the Broker Forum, Twitter and good old fashioned letters.
Product launch: Biba and Broker Direct unite
The British Insurance Brokers' Association (Biba) has appointed Broker Direct as a scheme provider to offer access to its private motor and light commercial vehicle products to all members.
Schemes news: First of its kind PL and EL scheme for ABRS members
Ravenhall Group's rural division has launched a public and employers' combined liability scheme for the Association of British Riding Schools' (ABRS) members.
New regulatory bodies need more power, says Sants
If it is to succeed in its goals, the new UK financial regulatory system will need to wield more power than the existing regulator.
Power hour: Feeling the benefit?
It is hoped that a change in the Government's position regarding benefits may open up opportunities for PMI. This month's discussion covers the expansion of cash plans, the role of trade bodies and the normally taboo subject of claims data sharing. Liz…
Interview: In perfect focus
With sharp intelligence, good humour and unique perspective, industry consultant Clare Ryder shares her thoughts with Martin Friel about where the market has been and where it needs to go next.
Polly C - the hottest insurance gossip
The Swinton Christmas shindig at the Waldorf saw the industry's great and good flock to quaff champagne and discuss the highs and lows of 2010.
New credit rating service Litmus Analysis enters the financial market
A new credit ratings analysis service, which aims to clarify how ratings are calculated, has been launched.
Product launch: Extended brand protection
Aon Risk Solutions has launched a restaurant contamination insurance policy that it claims offers a new level of brand protection for mid-sized chains.
Solicitor watchdog's PI plans will create an 'uneven playing field'
A new proposal from the Solicitors' Regulation Authority (SRA) to shake up the rules around professional indemnity (PI) requirements could create an "uneven playing field" within the insurance broking community, experts have warned.
Biba to issue brand guidance after old name is hijacked online
The British Insurance Brokers Association (Biba) has warned members of the threat of online brand hijacking after taking legal action to protect its own name.
Agenda: Hopes for the New Year
Ten years have passed since the dawn of the new millennium. The predictions of economic meltdown because of the millennium bug were false but we have seen crises that have had enormous impact on the global economy: 9/11, the crash of the dot-com bubble…
Reportage - Setting up a scheme: A scheming mind
Louise Meeson uncovers what a successful scheme looks like and offers practical advice on how brokers can identify and run one - should they find an existing niche or create one, how do they sell it to the insurer and is it possible to win schemes from…
Lord Levene calls for cover of digital dangers to climb higher on businesses' priority lists in 2011
Many companies are still unintentionally exposed to digital risks and mistakenly believe they have coverage from their existing insurance, according to a new report from Lloyd's.
Westinsure network moves east while competitors eye members
Rival networks have begun to circle Westinsure in the wake of a series of upheavals since its takeover by Ink Underwriting.
Product review: Specialist social welfare covers for all
This product has been reviewed by brokers and rated from one to five based on the policy's key benefits.
News review: December
A brief round-up of December's news.
Product launch: Bespoke car scheme policy
Aviva has launched a bespoke insurance policy for businesses that operate an employee salary sacrifice car scheme.
Reportage - Online schemes: Choosing channels
How does e-trading apply to schemes? Edward Murray explores whether the returns are worth the time and money brokers invest in putting schemes online or if they sell better off the back of face-to-face relationships.
RBSI gives green light to Devitt Insurance Services MBO
RBS Insurance (RBSI) has agreed to sell Devitt Insurance Services to three of its existing senior management team, led by managing director William Hughes.
Brokers' expansion plans face lengthy delays
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) is taking more than twice as long to approve regulated firms' expansion plans, known as a variation of permission.
FSA regulatory approach under threat as BBA launches review
The Financial Services Authority's (FSA) principles-based approach to regulation has come under threat from a legal challenge brought by the British Bankers' Association (BBA).
Legal expenses: Referral fee free?
Martin Friel looks to the future and imagines a legal expenses market where referral fees no longer exist. What would this mean for brokers and how would the sector adapt to accommodate this change?
Axa and Zurich reorganise management and operations
Axa and Zurich have revealed the results of internal restructures.
Cullum trade-off for IPO
Peter Cullum will lose his majority shareholding in Towergate Partnership as part of a new equity deal, Insurance Age understands.
Start-up brokers: New Year, new start-up?
What's on your New Year's resolutions for 2011? Get fit, give up the fags, start a new broking business? Malcolm Lee sets out what you need to consider to be a successful start-up broker.
Towergate: SME provision deal 'just the beginning'
Towergate Insurance has claimed its deal with Comparethemarket.com to provide insurance to small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) customers is "just the beginning" of its online SME strategy.
Moorhouse online arm set to write £50m GWP
Welsh broker Moorhouse's online commercial arm Constructaquote is aiming to write £50m of gross written premium (GWP) by the end of 2013.
Reportage - Scheme innovation: Creative sparks
Has the financial crisis forced insurers to become more imaginative with new products and schemes or are they following where brokers lead? Louise Phillips investigates the catalyst for recent innovation in the market.
Higos reveals three-year plan of acquisition and organic growth
Higos Insurance Services has embarked upon an ambitious growth plan that could see it more than double in size over the next three years.
Ex-Giles duo join forces to launch Amicus
Two former Giles employees have launched a new brokerage, Amicus Insurance Solutions, with the aim of hitting £1m commission by the end of 2013.
CBI calls for greater female presence in boardrooms
All UK listed companies should have to set targets for the number of women in their boardrooms, according to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).
Product launch: Schemes target set for 2011
UK General has announced an ambitious new target of delivering 180 new schemes in 2011.
Editor's comment - January 2011
Here we go again. Another year, another set of woes. The economy has only improved slightly, premium rates still show no sign of real hardening and insurers still seem hell bent on self-sacrifice in the name of growth. I feel for you brokers, I really do…
Your opinions: One in four pay off other driver
Insurance Age welcomes your opinions via email, Linked In, the Broker Forum, Twitter and good old fashioned letters.
Fears trade bodies are on IMD2 collision course
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) and the British Insurance Brokers' Association (Biba) could be on a collision course over the revised Insurance Mediation Directive (IMD2).
Reportage - Defining schemes: Spoilt for choice
Coming in such a vast array of shapes and forms, it is difficult to define what schemes actually are. Tony Bloomer argues their ambiguity enables flexibility and innovation and, ultimately, opportunity for the industry.
Fusion and NFU Mutual go against grain with jobs drive
Insurance recruitment drives at Fusion and NFU Mutual have bucked the trend of rising unemployment in the wider economy.
PMI insurers accused of broker bullying to protect claims data
Private medical insurers (PMI) have been accused of threatening to cut off brokers that “rock the boat” over the issue of claims data transparency.
Giles makes record buy despite fall in results
Giles has made the largest acquisition in its history despite experiencing a drop in turnover and earnings for 2010.
Towergate loses Blanc to Axa commercial lines
Axa has appointed Amanda Blanc as chief executive of its commercial lines business, which includes broker Bluefin.
Product review: A comprehensive package for letting agents
This product has been reviewed by brokers and rated from one to five based on the policy’s key benefits.
Simply Business aims to extend SME reach with new hire
Online insurance broker Simply Business has hired Underwired Amaze to develop an electronic customer relationship marketing programme.
