Commercial
Ecclesiastical pulls out of the London market
Ecclesiastical has announced its plans to cease underwriting London market business and begin the run-off of the existing portfolio of its subsidiary Ecclesiastical Underwriting Management (EUM).
The Policy Shop creates property division
Coventry-based broker The Policy Shop has launched a new property division which will lead to the creation of up to 40 new jobs over the next 12 months.
Keychoice Underwriting launches to broker members
SSP-owned commercial underwriting agency, Keychoice Underwriting, has officially launched its commercial combined, package and property owners products to Keychoice Network members, with additional commercial lines products to follow later in the year.
David Oliver Associates launches new commercial policy
Underwriting Agency David Oliver Associates (DOA) has chosen Sterling Insurance Company to underwrite its new Platinum Commercial Combined policy.
LV reaps benefits of below average motor rate increases
LV has increased motor rates by 25% but its general insurance managing director John O'Roarke said that it has still been possible to write profitable business.
Arista boosts Bristol team with hires from Chartis, NIG and Axa
Commercial lines underwriting specialist Arista Insurance has made three appointments to further strengthen its Bristol office.
Ink joins with St Giles to launch solicitors PI offering
Ink Underwriting Agencies and St Giles Legal and Professional Risks have joined forces to create a new professional indemnity (PI) insurance facility for solicitor firms with between one and 25 partners.
HDI-Gerling opens new branch in Dublin
HDI-Gerling has announced the creation of a new branch in Ireland.
Broking Success - Macbeth: Laser-focused on service
Emmanuel Kenning meets the managing director at Macbeth Insurance Brokers, who is aiming to blend the best service of the past with the technology of the future.
Ecclesiastical reports interim losses
Ecclesiastical has announced a loss of £9.9m in the first half of 2010. The figure is in stark contrast to the same period in 2009 when the insurer made a profit of £25.7m.
QBE raids Chubb for accident and health underwriter
QBE has announced the appointment of Gemma Seymour as accident and health underwriter in its non-Lloyd’s A&H team.
Groupama completes claims consolidation with four senior appointments
Four appointments have been made as Groupama completes the centralisation of commercial and personal claims to its claims centre in Port Solent, Portsmouth.
Market Watch - Low carbon economy: High hopes for low carbon
Andrew Williams investigates the promises and pitfalls of offering cover across the many and varied risks in the growing green energy sector.
Brit loses distribution head Tim Grant
Brit Insurance's head of distribution Tim Grant is leaving to join Dual Corporate Risks, Insurance Age can reveal.
Allianz's half year results show GWP rise but profits drop
As part of Allianz’s half year results CEO Andrew Torrance has promised further double digit rate increases in private motor and said there was a “prospect of underwriting profit” in this area in 2011.
Aviva confirms rejection of RSA's £5bn GI offer
Aviva has confirmed it received a conditional proposal from RSA to acquire its general insurance (GI) businesses in the UK, Ireland and Canada excluding RAC and health for a sum of £5bn funded entirely from a rights issue by RSA.
Lucas Fettes launches motor trade scheme for classic car market
Lucas Fettes has launched a new bespoke classic car scheme for the motor trade underwritten by Brit Insurance.
Ace joins PowerPlace panel
Ace has joined PowerPlace’s panel of insurers and will be making its directors & officers’ product available from 24 August.
Axa launches SME product on Acturis
Axa has released a commercial combined e-trade product to brokers on the Acturis platform on an open market basis.
Zurich raids Axa for property head
Zurich UK has announced the appointment of Peter Clark as head of property and strategy exposure management, commercial lines, effective 1 October 2010.
Brokers targeted with new PowerPlace appointment
Online commercial insurance marketplace PowerPlace has appointed Darren Rowe as sales director.
Insurance rates fall across EMEA, says Marsh
Insurance rates have fallen for certain classes of business across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) during the first half of 2010, according to research.
Groupama's broking business revenue remains flat
Combined revenues of Groupama Insurance's UK broking businesses have remained relatively flat at £33.3m during H1 2010 (H1 2009: £34.1m).
Commission seeks input on reforming broker liability
The Law Commissions of England and Wales and of Scotland are seeking views on whether section 53 of the Marine Insurance Act 1906 is still needed.