Broker
Agenda: That elusive crock of gold
The consolidation of the retail broking sector started in 1998 with the creation of Towergate but gathered pace in early 2000 through to 2008. In that period, some £3.6bn of commercial business was acquired, which equates to 25% of the total commercial…
Broker Expo 2010: Interacting ideas
With a range of workshops, the introduction of one-to-one clinics and, of course, nearly 100 exhibition stands, Martin Friel explains why the Expo is the broker networking event of the year.
Fresh hopes web revamp will boost its home book
Fresh Insurance has announced an online makeover as part of its aim to increase its share of the home insurance market during the next year.
Digital extension programme to encourage regional broking
Government plans to transform the country's digital infrastructure could empower regional brokers and make the industry less London-centric, according to IT experts.
Legal expenses first as Aim launches products on CDL
Aim Legal Expenses has claimed to be the first legal expenses provider to target the broker market with an online offering.
PIA head urges insurers to embrace global risks
Insurers' conservative attitudes towards risks outside the UK is holding back ambitious plans to establish multi quote-and-buy systems worldwide, according to liability broker Professional Insurance Agents (PIA).
Data hub launch discloses new pricing detail to non-direct market
Coversure and Fortis are among those that have committed to using a new data hub that aims to allow brokers to compete on a level playing field with direct writers.
Go Compare targets home insurance market
Aggregator site Go Compare is to target the home insurance market with a new TV advert starring character Gio Compario.
Brokers urged to highlight risks of credit card fraud
The Forum of Private Business has called on brokers to ensure clients protect themselves when processing payments online.
Willis teams up for Patentwize
Willis Group Holdings has announced it is partnering with Innography to launch Willis PatentWize, an enterprise-wide business intelligence solution designed to help companies better manage their intellectual property risks.
Product launches: MMA initiates variable rates
Broker-only insurer MMA has introduced variable commission rates for brokers transacting new business for MMA's Master Tradesman product.
Product launches: ATE claims support offered
Lorega has launched an after-the-event (ATE) claims preparation, mitigation and negotiation service.
NIG exit sparks RSA return to personal lines
RSA has expressed a renewed appetite for personal lines business after admitting it had previously been "deliberately underweight" in this area.
Groupama reports stagnant broking revenues
Combined revenues of Groupama Insurances' UK broking businesses have remained relatively flat at £33.3m during H1 2010 (H1 2009: £34.1m).
Birmingham exposed as worst 'crash for cash' area
Birmingham has topped the Insurance Fraud Bureau's (IFB) top 20 league table of crash for cash hotspots in Q2 2010.
Claims farming clampdown needed to cut motor costs
The insurance industry must tackle the ongoing rise in claims farming in order to reduce overall motor claims costs, according to a recent report issued by Defaqto.
Confidence grows as broker recruitment activity picks up
Broker recruitment activity has increased by between 50% and 60% this year, according to financial recruiting company Joslin Rowe.
Record FSA fine prompts call for brokers to help tackle fraud
Brokers have been called on to do more to support the Financial Services Authority's (FSA) crackdown on fraudulent behaviour after the regulator imposed one of the largest ever fines on an individual.
Further cuts at Tesco Compare
The majority of staff at Tesco Compare's Redhill base have been put on redundancy notice raising questions over the aggregator's future.
Power hour debate appeals for 'remote' CII to give helping hand
The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) has been accused of being "London-centric" and remote at an Insurance Age roundtable event in Newcastle.
NTR pilot to ease complex business underwriting
Broker Network is piloting a network trading room (NTR) environment that aims to allow members to place complex commercial risks.
Ink seals Westinsure Group deal for mystery figure
Giles-owned Ink Underwriting Agencies has completed the acquisition of the Westinsure Group for an undisclosed sum.
Adrian Flux confirms plan to grow workforce
Norwich-based Adrian Flux has announced it is to create 150 jobs as it gears up for further expansion. The broker, which appears in this year's Top 50 Brokers in Personal Lines supplement, already employs 480 staff at its offices in King's Lynn and…
Equity Red Star slammed for being too slow to adjust reserves
Equity Red Star should have taken quicker and more decisive action in reserving for increasing bodily injury claims according to a report produced by JP Morgan.