Broker
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.
Keychoice improves membership package
Keychoice has added five new benefits to its membership package as the firm tries to gain increased leverage in the network sector.
Financial strength rating a priority when brokers assess insurers
Brokers are placing much greater emphasis on the credit ratings of the insurers they deal with, according to a recent survey by NIG.
Oval strikes exclusive deal with St Helens RFC
Oval has been appointed as the sole insurance and risk management provider by St Helens RFC (Saints) for its new stadium at Langtree Park.
Swinton to create more than 100 jobs in Manchester
Swinton is to create more than 100 call centre jobs to manage new business coming in from a deal struck with HPI.
Quinn seeks to defend himself against Anglo Irish claims
Seán Quinn has told the Commercial Court in Dublin he wishes to personally defend the former Anglo Irish Bank’s claim that he has a liability for loans of €2.34bn (£1.98bn).
Welsh broker ranks 85 on 100 Best Small Companies List
Thomas, Carroll Group has re-entered the Sunday Times 100 Best Small Companies list.
Blackburn broker banned by FSA
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has banned Mukhtar Khan, trading as United Finance and Insurance Services (UFIS), for not being fit and proper on competence and capability grounds.
The first to fall
The most worrying news of the last week, if not the biggest, was that two brokers entered administration.
CCV on acquisitions drive with operations hire
CCV has appointed David Bruce as operations director.
Quinn family closer to avoiding liability for Anglo loans
Seán Quinn’s wife, Patricia, and their five children are one step closer to avoiding liability for loans worth up to €2.34bn (£2bn), the Irish Times has reported.
Invicta expands with portfolio purchase
Invicta Insurance Services has agreed to acquire the general insurance portfolio of surrey-based IFA Financial Profiles.
In conversation with Zurich: Corporate underinsurance for plant machinery repair and replacement
There have been a number of surveys that have highlighted underinsurance in the corporate market, with a heavy emphasis on business interruption and property reinstatement. But another insurable cost is often over-looked, that of plant machinery repair…
Commercial broker launched in London
New commercial broker Q360 has been launched in London using capital provided by Tawa, a specialist investor in insurance industry businesses.
RBSI reports jump in profit and improved COR
RBS Insurance has reported a combined operating ratio (COR) of 100% for the year ended December 2011, an improvement on its COR of 121% in 2010.