Articles by Sian Barton
Covid-19: Disrupters pressurise motor insurers to return premium
On demand insurtechs encourage incumbents to give back premium as it is predicted providers could save £1bn as claims plummet amid lockdown.
Troubled Staveley Head sold by administrators
Stoke-on-Trent broker One Sure Insurance has bought the Wales broker which collapsed earlier this year.
Andy Watson bows out as Ageas UK CEO
Watson will hand over the reins to Ant Middle at the end of June this year.
Partners& shoots into Top 100 with £65m GWP
Phil Barton, alongside Stuart Reid and Chris Jelf, has formed the broker from MRIB and Independents, La Playa, CGI and Versatile, with initial £25m investment from Capital Z.
Brokers under strain as they support hospitality clients
Covid-19: Brokers battle colossal workloads as they look to help customers change policies and maintain cover.
Business Secretary states most firms have “not purchased” Covid-19 cover
John Glen said the government is in continual dialogue with insurance sector as he restates companies without the right cover will require support from elsewhere.
Covid-19: Industry "getting hammered" over business interruption, says Biba
Brokers hit back over business interruption following criticism of the entire insurance industry as some call for government assistance in getting the message across.
Editor's letter - April 2020
Stay safe and stay at home: The industry is still open for business as we all adjust to the coronavirus crisis
The Insurance Age Podcast: 27 March 2020
Insurance Age editor, Sian Barton, and content director, Jonathan Swift, discuss the top stories this week and talk about their own experience of the coronavirus lockdown.
Freedom Services loses 30 staff amid restructure
However, its MGA Pukka is now live with fresh capacity following Gefion exit.
The Blog Spot: Facing the challenges of Covid-19
Following the cancellation of Biba 2020 – a key meeting point for intermediaries - Sian Barton calls on brokers to use the sector’s famous relationships to push through this crisis.
Covid-19: ABI highlights insurer motor and home commitments
The body outlined the insurer response to Financial Conduct Authority guidelines as providers waive renewals for key workers.
CMA slaps Ardonagh’s Paymentshield over PPI
The “significant” breaches meant some customers did not get annual review statements for up to six years.
Covid-19: ABI clarifies position on business insurance
The insurance industry has faced a customer backlash as most commercial policies do not cover for business interruption caused by pandemic.
Finance adviser suspends broker fees
Integritas has stopped fees for insurance brokers until 15 April amid the coronavirus outbreak and says it will help them access the government BI loan scheme.
Covid-19: Government addresses nation on pandemic BI cover
Government says insurers will cover pandemic but ABI insists this changes very little as most do not have this type of cover.
CII postpones some exams amid coronavirus outbreak
The body is hitting pause on April’s written exams until October but plans to press ahead with its July sittings and multiple choice exams in small groups will continue.
Covid-19: Biba defends hiring Boris Johnson as speaker
The body paid him £25,000 but the entire industry is now under fire over government decision to not enforce business closures in a move which some claim will affect BI cover.
Covid-19: ABI admits few will be covered for BI
The government advised leisure businesses to close voluntarily prompting a public backlash that firms won’t be able to claim for business interruption as it isn’t a closure order.
The Blog Spot: Navigating these strange times
We’re already seeing travel cover suspended and confirmation BI isn’t covered for Covid-19. What might this mean for the future of insurance and trust in the sector?
LMA develops renewal clause amid Covid-19
The London Market organisation has published wording to ensure coverage continues beyond a specified renewal date as the coronavirus pandemic continues.
Covid-19: Brokers ban meetings and push remote working
Updated: The largest brokers in the UK revealed measures in place to protect staff and customers from coronavirus.
Pen creates regional role amid broker push
The Gallagher-owned MGA has developed a manager role to focus on the Midlands and North.
Sector escapes IPT rise in ‘coronavirus’ Budget
The decision to keep the unpopular tax at 12% has been welcomed by the insurance market as Chancellor introduces other measures to help Covid-19 hit businesses.