Broker
Products: Groupama adds cleaning to its Exclusively range
Groupama has released Exclusively Cleaning, the third niche commercial product in the range following the launch of Exclusively Recruitment and Exclusively Security.
How to… ensure scheme claims run smoothly
Members of a scheme often communicate with each other and share their experiences on all manner of subjects – including insurance. And so the well-worn saying that a claims service is the “shop window” for the insurance industry has never been truer than…
High end competition
High net worth specialist SmithGreenfield is developing routes to market and ways of differentiating itself in a competitive sector where high levels of service are expected, managing director Steve Smith tells Martin Friel
Market moves: welcome home
October saw a lot of business development action with insurers chasing brokers and brokers chasing clients in the static UK economy. While there were numerous appointments across the board, as seems to have been the case throughout 2012, Scotland and the…
Biba and IIB merger goes ahead
Trade bodies promise stronger representation as merger is finally completed
Review: Keeping the wheels turning
ABC Car from LV Broker. 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: Willis offers hotels cover against loss of reputation
Willis has teamed up with Lloyd’s of London underwriter Kiln to create Hotel Reputation Protection 2.0, a new policy designed to limit the financial fallout from negative public relations exposure for hotels.
Products: Aviva launches product to cover multiple cars
Aviva has launched MultiCar a new motor product that can cover up to five vehicles for families living under the same roof. Business vehicles can also be included provided they are all registered at the same business address.
Product roundup: Cleaning up in a commercial niche
Groupama is aiming to sweep up business in the cleaning world, an industry it believes has a turnover of £5.3bn a year. The latest addition to its Exclusively range, which is available for open market trading, allows brokers to flex their commission…
Levelling the field
Smaller brokers may be able to compete on level terms in personal lines after the introduction of new data enriching software
Reportage: LEI’s future in the balance
Legal expenses insurance faces an uncertain future but commercial could provide a lucrative new market, reports Louise Meeson
Profile: Two’s company...
Six months after RSA snapped up Oak underwriting, Steve Kingshott and Bob Trott tell Martin Friel how the companies’ different approaches are combining for an assault on the ultra high net worth sector
Failing to plan…
Broker start-ups need to set out a realistic business plan if they want to succeed in the current uncertain economic climate, explains James Sharp
Brokers demand big changes in FSCS review
Trade body prepares to lobby FSA to get brokers a better deal in review of compensation scheme
It’s tough at the top
Is the spate of high-profile departures at the top of large industry players indicative of deeper troubles in the market?
Power hour: what SMEs want
The SME space is much fought over, but what is it that this disparate group of businesses want from insurers and brokers, and what do brokers need from insurers in order to deliver now and in the future? Caitlin Morrison finds out
Disturbing lack of faith
The centuries old principle of uberrima fides, or acting in good faith, has disappeared in non-business insurance, and the industry only has itself to blame, writes Tony Cornell
County unveils new consolidator
County Group has launched County Insurance Northwest with the aim of acquiring 15 brokers in the North of the UK over a five year period.
Deadline nears for Broker Expo
There is still time to sign up for Insurance Age’s 2011 Broker Expo at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena.
Brokers missing out on untapped event market
Brokers around the UK could be taking better advantage of local event cancellation business, according to research commissioned by Beazley.
Invicta completes Fountain acquisition
Invicta Insurance Services has acquired the household and property owners’ portfolios of Fountain Insurance & Investment Services.
Aon reports third quarter growth
Aon has reported a 51% increase in total revenue to $2.7bn (£1.7bn) for the third quarter of 2011 compared to the same period of 2010.
Transactor restructures as profits and revenue rise
Insurance software provider Transactor Global Solutions Limited (TGSL) has announced a 24% increase in turnover to £5.2m with group pre-tax profits up 18% to £0.5m for the year ended 31 March 2011.
Insurance Age blog: Faking your own death
A whole month since my first blog. By now of course I've gained enough expertise to rant and rave about all manner of things insurance-related, which is particularly impressive to my friends and relatives who have all recently discovered how glamorous…