Broker
Profile: Biba does Brussels
Distribution, European influence and a united voice for insurance are just some of the key areas new Biba chairman Andy Homer and CEO Eric Galbraith are focusing on, writes Martin Friel
R&Q takes on latest run-off business, adding to HNW portfolio
Randall and Quilter Investment Holdings (R&Q) has bought the yacht and marine trade book from Talbot Underwriting subsidiary Underwriting Risk Services.
Fresh Start for Voyager
Voyager Insurance Services has acquired the Fresh Start book of business from Culpeck Insurance services for an undisclosed sum.
JLT snaps up Irish broker
Jardine Lloyd Thompson’s (JLT) Irish arm has acquired FBD Insurance Brokers, an insurance broker based in Ireland in a deal worth up to €8.5m (£7.1m).
Hastings Direct to create 200 new jobs this year
Hastings Direct has announced that it aims to create 200 jobs in 2012.
Editor’s letter - January 2012
“The number of executives… that were dispatched in the last few of months of 2011 is staggering”
Government brings ABI young driver proposals to a full stop
Road safety minister rejects ABI proposals to place restrictions on new and young drivers
Reportage: Thinking big about smes
The difference between the small and the medium-sized businesses under the umbrella term SME can be very large and brokers need diverse tactics to target them both, explains Caitlin Morrison
Market moves: restructures and resignations
The blood is well and truly covering the floor this month with three high profile departures and the sacking of an entire board. But there was better news for one of their peers who has found his way back into the market in double quick time. What has…
A fresh start
The New Year is a great time to set some personal resolutions and a perfect opportunity to set some SMART objectives for your business, writes Deborah Windermere
Review: online business
Optima Business Plan. 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: industry refocuses on online product offerings
Both ends of the broker product flow have seen a refocusing on websites to grow business in the new year. Connoisseur Underwriting, an MGA focused on antique and fine art dealers, auctioneers and collectors, has revamped its website with online product…
Products: Chubb launches cyber security product
Chubb has launched a new cyber security insurance product for companies in Europe that own or control confidential, personal, sensitive financial information or private health data. It is also targeted at companies that transact business via the internet.
The bottom line
Has a focus on the bottom line led to insurers and brokers in the SME sector knowing the price of everything and the value of nothing? City Slug asks
Winter warning
Ice and snow on commercial properties can present plenty of opportunities for landlords and tenants to slip up, explain Kelly-Louise Kirby and Helen Bridgman
Give and take
When does giving or receiving gifts or hospitality become bribery? Jill Hambley explains
Broking success: driving growth
Gardners has used acquisitions and specialism in insurance for taxi drivers to drive growth, managing director Paul Goldsmith explains to Emmanuel Kenning
A year to remember
Tony Cornell looks forward to the year ahead and predicts what 2012 holds in store for brokers
HNW players jockey for position
High net worth was the big growth area last year, and the new players will be looking to establish themselves
Ratings downgrades may spark client flight to quality
With the number of ratings warnings increasing across the industry, brokers need to keep an eye out
Blood on the boardroom floor
What role did regulation play in the sacking of the entire Swinton executive board?
Products: broker feedback drives changes to Allianz motor trade policies
Allianz Commercial has revamped its motor trade policies following, it said, feedback from brokers.
Products roundup: new year, new technology
The new year has blasted off with insurance once again looking to the technological future. Chubb has unveiled a cyber security insurance product for companies in Europe to cover financial losses in the event of a data breach.
Northern businesses suffer higher insolvency rates
The north to south divide is widening when it comes to business failure, according to Experian’s latest insolvency index.