Broker
Purple signs up Oak and Rural to panel
Purple Partnership has teamed up with Oak and Rural Insurance to offer further mid to high net worth cover options along with an agricultural risk specialism to members.
Editor’s letter - March 2012
“Read between the lines and you will detect some belief that the worst of the bad times may be over”
Life’s little knock-for-knocks
A recent accident has highlighted everything that is wrong with the current motor claims process, explains Tony Cornell
Reportage: Personal targets
Personal lines brokers are seeing massive changes in the motor, household and travel sectors. With no let-up in sight, where do the opportunities lie in the months and years ahead? Edward Murray reports
Broking success: Clear thinking
Howard Lickens, CEO of Clear Insurance Management, tells Caitlin Morrison of the importance of acquisitions, the benefits of Brokerbility and how the business coped with the introduction of the FSA
Cobra Network bags seven new members
Cobra Network has signed seven new members so far this year and has three others in the pipeline.
Free to compete
The advent of real-time pricing could free brokers’ hands and create a more level playing field
FSA on tour
The FSA is touring the regions to ensure regulated firms are up-to-speed with governance and risk awareness, explains Barry Woodward
Products: La Playa tests its new research and development product in the lab
La Playa has produced a new product designed specifically for start-up, early stage and SME research and development businesses.
Products: NIG fills a gap in its property owners insurance range
NIG has launched Essential Property Owners (EPO) cover, an SME-focused version of its Premium Property Owners (PPO) product.
JLT delivers good revenue and profit growth for 2011
Jardine Lloyd Thompson (JLT) has followed the trend of positive financial results in the insurance market with a 13% hike in profits before tax to £147.6m for 2011.
Market moves: Mad for it
Last month things went a bit mad in Manchester, with two insurers and an MGA creating brand new teams in the city. There were numerous other appointments across the insurance spectrum, and what most of them had in common was the city that gave us Oasis.
The Broker Business Club: Meeting of minds
Insurance Age has once again teamed up with Zurich Insurance to hold a series of Broker Business Clubs where some of the most influential insurers, brokers and stakeholders address and tackle the issues that matter to the modern insurance market. The…
Brokers on the brink?
Administrations, threatened product pull-outs and agency culls have sparked brokers’ fears over the future of the market
Commercial faces long road to hardening rates
Despite insurers announcing improved profitability last year, the commercial market still faces tough trading conditions
Products: B&Bs can rest easy with bespoke product
Bridge Insurance brokers has teamed up with Brit Insurance to launch Hospitality, an insurance scheme focused on boutique bed and breakfast businesses.
Are you ready for the next big thing in motor?
Telematics could transform motor insurance, and brokers who already have a foot in the market could cash in
Review: Living the high life
Aqua: three: This product has been reviewed by brokers and rated from one to five stars, based on the policy’s key benefits. * = Poor ** = Average *** = Good **** = Very good ***** = Excellent
Products: Axa makes products available on Powerplace
Axa has made two of its products available to Powerplace users in the last month: a new property owners/landlords policy and its management liability policy.
Products roundup: A little bit of everything
It’s a bit of a mixed bag this month but the old cliché tells us that variety is the spice of life – we’re not sure how spicy the products and schemes are but there should be something for everyone.
Kiln receives top rating for employee happiness
Lloyd's insurer Kiln has been made it on to the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For 2012 list.
Towergate increases South Western presence with acquisitions
Towergate Insurance has acquired Centenary Insurance and William Rogers Insurance Brokers.
Investigation begins as Riverbourne is rescued
The Riverbourne Group, the Caterham-based broker that recently entered administration, has been purchased in a deal that will see the business split in two.
Plum doubles sales with focus on non-standard risks
Plum Underwriting has doubled its sales over the past year as a result of increasing numbers of people struggling to find appropriate home insurance.