Commercial
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
November is the cruellest month
Fears of spiralling market conditions sparked as spate of unfortunate events hit brokers
Review: Motoring along
Motor Fleet from Axa. 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: Dual Corporate Risks launches fraud product
Dual Corporate Risks has launched Management Liability Plus designed to protect privately-owned companies, their directors, company pension funds and trustees from claims and losses incurred as a result of internal fraud.
Schemes: Rural rides high with horse scheme
Rural Insurance and broker UK Insurance Solutions have teamed up for the launch of the provider’s first equine delegated authority scheme.
Products: Product protects against data theft by employees
A new product that could detect employees accessing and distributing sensitive company data has been launched.
Product roundup: ‘Tis the season to tackle cyber crime
While it may seem incongruous to raise such matters in the season of goodwill, this month’s products and schemes pages are dominated by cyber crime, fraud, litigation and a change at Biba’s oldest scheme as the association dispensed with Sterling’s…
Winners and losers
If the ban on referral fees goes ahead next year, the repercussions could be felt throughout the industry, explains Tony Cornell