Broker
Ansvar and WRS team up in charity push
Ansvar’s Millie Swain has linked up with WRS Insurance Brokers as their new on-site development underwriter.
Editor’s letter - February 2012
“It’s not that I want to make you all feel bad it’s just that, for brokers, there hasn’t been a lot to be cheerful about”
Maturing market sees more brokers flit between networks
Increasing numbers of brokers switching providers blamed on “bloody competitive” network market
Lessons to learn from FSA
That broker favourite, the Financial Services Authority (FSA), has taken a bit of a pasting from the Treasury Select Committee which described the soon to depart regulator as too expensive, aloof, bureaucratic and unable to protect customers.
Straw vows to continue pushing on motor insurance premiums
Transport Select Committee calls for multi-government department approach
How long till a hardening market?
Rumours of the impending hardening market may be premature
The truth about redundancy
Is making redundancies always the best option for coping with financial pressure? Peter Done explores the problems and alternatives
Review: Talking tech
CNA Europe technology package product. 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
Product: Stonebridge focuses on printing industry
Stonebridge Corporate has created a new trading subdivision, Print-Insure, to provide cover to the lithographic, digital print and supply industries.
Product: New products to cover digital downloads and cloud computing
Managing general agents have been busy focusing on plugging gaps in the technology-related insurance market.
Product: Axa releases more efficient art offering
Axa Art has targeted the owners of art and other valuable collectible items such as vintage cars, wine and furniture with its new insurance policy, ArtFIRST.
Product: Travelers expands media range with PI products
Travelers has launched two new professional indemnity (PI) products aimed at the publishing and general media sectors.
Product: Equity launches telematics service
Equity Red Star has launched a new risk and vehicle management telematics service for the commercial motor and motor fleet sectors.
Products roundup: Brokers braced for the digital future
It has been a technology heavy start to the year for brokers who have been inundated with new offerings from insurers in this fast evolving sector.
Power hour: Northern lights
Cautious optimism in the local economy and increased insurer presence in Newcastle are just two reasons why the North East market is looking up, reports Martin Friel
Changing attitudes
Businesses need to treat everyone fairly and comply with equality legislation, explains Sally Mbewe
Market moves: A good month for the management
It’s well into the new year but the insurance industry is certainly still ringing the changes. As usual, there were moves between rival companies, with Willis losing a COO to Aon, and Lifestyle Services dipping into Ace for a new CEO.
Reportage: Looking to liability
As the nature of risks facing many businesses and industries changes drastically, brokers could break into areas traditionally dominated by liability specialists, writes Emmanuel Kenning
Protecting clients’ assets
The industry needs to get up-to-speed over new rules governing client assets, explains David Roberts
Finding a niche
Sutton Winson managing director David Thomson tells Caitlin Morrison why the broker has interests in so many niche sectors and diverse industries and how it plans to ride out the recession
Are you a visionary or a strategist?
Really successful businesses are led by visionaries or strategists, but the UK insurance industry seems to be lacking both, says Tony Cornell
The tide is turning
Brokers are slowly realising the potential of schemes to boost profits, explains Tony Bloomer
Groupama up for grabs
Speculation continues to surround the sale of French insurance giant’s UK operations
Whittington heads out from London
Lloyd’s-based managing general agent, Whittington Capital Management Syndicate 2525, has appointed Stephen Fitzgerald to develop business in the UK regions that is not currently accessed through the Lloyd’s broker channel.