Personal
FCA hammers GAP insurance as it issues general warning on high commission levels
The Financial Conduct Authority has written to insurers, calling on them to take action, as it released the latest set of fair value data and again brought the spotlight onto the issue of high commission levels.
Markerstudy deal will deliver steroid like boost to Atlanta, says Donaldson
Ian Donaldson, Ardonagh Retail CEO and inbound Markerstudy Retail CEO, has hailed the proposed merger as being able to boost growth, product footprint and acquisitions but declined to be drawn on any interest in RSA’s personal lines business.
With Atlanta sold, what will Ardonagh do with the funds it pockets?
Jonathan Swift looks at Ardonagh’s recent growth, and suspects that a larger percentage of the £820m windfall from the Atlanta sale is going to be spent overseas rather than at home.
Markerstudy CEO Spencer targeting Admiral’s crown as UK’s top PL player after Atlanta deal
Markerstudy is only £301m of gross written premium away from potentially overtaking Admiral as the UK’s largest personal lines player after the £1.2bn Atlanta deal last week, according to its CEO Kevin Spencer.
Markerstudy to merge with Atlanta Group in £1.2bn deal
Markerstudy has today confirmed plans to merge with Ardonagh’s personal lines broking business Atlanta Group, in a deal that creates a business that transacts £3bn of GWP annually and employs 7300 people.
Allianz appoints Henry Topham to retail MD role as Smith exits for Axa Health
Allianz has appointed Henry Topham as managing director of its UK retail business succeeding Heather Smith who is moving to Axa Health as CEO.
FOS slams insurer payout delays as motor and buildings complaints hit five-year high
The Financial Ombudsman Service has criticised insurers delaying claims payouts as complaints about buildings, car and motorcycle insurance hit a five-year high.
Lucida Group adds Jon Sutton as CFO succeeding Mark Mugge
Lucida Group, which includes Right Choice Insurance Brokers, Bennetts and Moorhouse, has appointed Jon Sutton as chief financial officer succeeding Mark Mugge.
Abacai transfers claims team to law firm
The owner of broker Complete Cover, Abacai, has entered into a strategic partnership with HF, which will see members of its volume claims teams transfer to the law firm.
Home insurance premium hikes hit new high, according to Consumer Intelligence
The average quoted price of home insurance rose by 25.7% in the past year – the highest annual increase on record, according to the latest Consumer Intelligence Home Insurance Price Index.
Turnover and profit drop at Ageas Retail in 2022
Turnover at broker Ageas Retail, which includes the Ageas Direct and Rias brands, fell in 2022 to £73.27m from £76.44m the year before.
Motor payouts hit record £2.5bn in Q2, says ABI
Insurers paid out £2.5bn in motor claims in the second quarter of this year, according to the Association of British Insurers, the highest quarterly figure since it started collecting data in 2013.
Gallagher snaps up leisure and holiday broker Lifesure Group
Gallagher has gained ‘additional scale’ in the leisure sector following the purchase of a specialist broker.
Mulsanne blames poor performing schemes and inflation for latest solvency issues
Mulsanne Insurance Company has admitted speaking to its regulator the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission about solvency capital requirement issues for the second time in four years, Insurance Age can reveal.
Aviva swoops for Zurich PL & MGA boss Gambrell as Martin builds out team
Aviva has added two new appointments to its distribution team, including a swoop for Zurich’s personal lines and MGA boss.
Ardonagh completes deal for HNW broker and MGA
Ardonagh Advisory has completed its deal to acquire high net worth broker Stanhope Cooper, and MGA Renovation Underwriting, following an earlier agreement to acquire a majority shareholding in the businesses.
Direct Line customers in line for £30m refund as insurer reviews past pricing in regulatory first
Direct Line has agreed to a voluntary review of previous home and motor insurance pricing having charged some customers more for their renewal than they would have done if they were a new customer, the Financial Conduct Authority has confirmed.
Ageas posts 25% growth from ongoing UK business
Personal lines broker-focused Ageas grew its ongoing UK business by 25% in the first half of the year to €651m (£558m).
Turnover tops £10m at Premium Choice as profits surge in 2022
Wolverhampton-based broker Premium Choice has posted 6.5% growth in turnover for 2022 to £10.03m and rising profits, with a forecast of a further boost in 2023.
Kingfisher snaps up Shepherd Compello motorsport book
Kingfisher Insurance has bought the motorsport book of Lloyd’s broker Shepherd Compello.
Aston Lark buys Curtis Marine
Howden-owned Aston Lark has bought Plymouth-based marine insurance broker, Curtis Marine.
Biba, ABI and government renew age signposting insurance agreement as enquiries top one million
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has confirmed the renewal of the signposting agreement with the government and the Association of British Insurers to help older people find car or travel cover.
Insurance scams totalling £1.1bn detected in 2022
The value of the average insurance fraud case rose by 20% to £15,000 in 2022, according to the Association of British Insurers.
Motor broker Verex Insurance Services enters into administration
Car Care Plan has bought the assets of both Verex Insurance Services and its appointed representative Verex Assistance.