Commercial
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”
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
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.
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.
The tide is turning
Brokers are slowly realising the potential of schemes to boost profits, explains Tony Bloomer
Post Intelligence Benchmarking - Commercial insurers: Winners and losers
The annual Insurance 360 Business Insurers Insight Report service rankings show some steady, some on ladders - and some on snakes.
Editor’s letter - January 2012
“The number of executives… that were dispatched in the last few of months of 2011 is staggering”
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
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
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.
Market moves: Dave new world
For the first time in a long time Scotland had a relatively quiet month, although Glasgow welcomed a new Mitsui Sumitomo branch. The insurer also made a senior appointment in Manchester, which was quite a hub of activity in November, with Arista and MMA…
Reportage: And a happy new year?
A tough 2011 looks likely to be followed by another 12 months to forget, but there are some things to look forward to, writes Caitlin Morrison
Power hour: Commercial challenge
The market constantly bemoans commercial rates and the sector seems to be struggling. So, what will be the main challenges in commercial lines in 2012 and how is the Scottish market facing up to them? Martin Friel finds out
Insurers return to the regions
Moving underwriters to regional offices is just one way insurers have tried to get closer to brokers in 2011