Articles by Emmanuel Kenning
RSA buys into calm waters of marine
Insurer snaps up pleasure craft specialist despite softening marine sector
Brokers unconvinved by signs of market hardening
Lone suggestion that the commercial market could be on the cusp of changing is dismissed by rest of market.
More judicial reviews but no certainty of success, says RPC
There will be more judicial reviews following the decision by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) to increase the top limit of awards by the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) however recent events mean the regulators will be “emboldened” in defending…
Wave of new regulation tops insurance sector risks in poll
The greatest risk facing the insurance industry is the raft of new regulations being introduced simultaneously at international and local levels, according to a new survey.
Judicial reviews will rise after FOS award change, warns law firm
The announcement by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) that the Financial Ombudsman Service's (FOS) maximum binding award is to be increased to £150,000 will lead to an increase in judicial reviews according to lawyers at Browne Jacobson.
No ban for referral fees, says LSB
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has recommended that referral fees be allowed to continue but with strengthened transparency obligations to manage their impact and prevent abuses.
FSA confirms new consumer complaint handling rules and ups FOS award limit to £150,000
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has confirmed new complaints handling rules as part of a package of measures designed to drive up standards within the industry.
Quinn losses reached €888m in 2009
Quinn Insurance lost €644m (£557m) in 2009, it has been revealed taking the overall group’s losses for the year to €888m.
JLT targets landlords with online offering
JLT Specialty (JLT) has launched an online quote and bind facility for property owners' risks aimed primarily at the broker sector.
Insolvency rate improves for SMEs
The health of the UK’s micro and small business community improved in April, according to Experian’s latest Insolvency Index.
Biba welcomes government move on signposting
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (Biba) has given its support to the government’s signposting proposals adding it believed they will maximise the likelihood of older customers finding insurance.
Personal injury costs to approach £10bn, report says
Costs faced by the personal injury insurance industry are likely to rise from £8.4bn in 2010 to £9.7bn by 2014 driven by the growth in the number of motor personal injury claims according to a report by Datamonitor.
Insurers issue ash-cloud travel insurance advice
Aviva and Ageas have stated their positions on their travel insurance policies following the recent volcanic eruption in Iceland which has closed parts of the UK airspace.
HomecallPlus enters liquidation
HomecallPlus, supplier of emergency cover for homeowners and landlords, has gone into liquidation with confusion surrounding whether any policies issued in the last six months were backed by an underwriter.
Ageas sees no sign of commercial hardening
Barry Smith, chief executive of Ageas UK, told Insurance Age he had seen no signs of commercial market hardening and indicated that he was not anticipating it happening soon.
Ageas returns to profit despite 104.6% COR
Ageas Insurance has revealed profit before tax of £3.9m for the first quarter of 2011, a £9.2m improvement over the equivalent quarter in 2010.
Aviva makes aggregator u-turn
Aviva has confirmed it intends to return to the aggregator space for private motor with a new, separately branded internet-only offering.
Aviva chief hints that market may finally be hardening
The UK could be seeing the first evidence of market hardening in commercial lines, according to Mark Hodges, chief executive of Aviva UK although he declined to predict whether any increase would hold or how far it would go.
Aviva posts improved COR in first quarter 2011 results
Aviva has revealed a 20% increase in general insurance premiums to over £1bn for the first quarter of 2011 (1Q2010: £913m).
Blanc's restructure sees Gill depart from Axa
Axa Commercial Lines has announced that Dave Gill, the customer delivery director for the commercial intermediary branch network has left the business.
Giles loses £37m
Giles has revealed a loss of £37,113,000 for the financial year ended 31 August 2010 in documents released to Companies House.
Crisis Survivor enters administration owing over £300,000
Crisis Survivor, the risk management and business continuity specialist, has gone into receivership, leaving 38 creditors and debts of £312,599.
Biba 2011: Lloyd’s reveals regional broker expansion aim
Lloyd’s has announced its ambition to rival leading UK insurers in its bid to expand its distribution base.
Biba and IIB confirm merger discussions
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (Biba) and the Institute of Insurance Brokers (IIB) have confirmed they are in formal merger discussions with an aim to complete them by the end of the year.