Insurance Age - 2010-10-05
Articles in this issue
NIG business to be exempt from further RBSI office closures
Royal Bank of Scotland Insurance (RBSI) has assured brokers that NIG will not be impacted by recent office closure plans.
Lloyd's brokers trial replacing traditional slips with iPads
Brokers are leading the way in the adoption of new technology in the Lloyd's market.
Reportage - network impact: The right environment
Networks promise the earth when attempting to get brokers to sign up but do they deliver on service? Jessica Pothering explores different network cultures and asks how to get the most out of membership.
Fortis takes on travel customers in five-year deal
Fortis UK has announced it is to expand its existing partnership with Tesco Bank as part of a five-year deal worth around £59m in gross written premiums (GWPs).
Power Hour: Driving forward
This month's roundtable grapples with the factors holding the motor market back and asks what measures need to be taken for it to return to profitability.Liz McMahon reports.
Axa online portal encourages discussion via social media sites
Axa has launched an online portal designed to allow personal lines brokers to discuss business issues and ideas with insurers and peers using social media channels such as Twitter, Linkedin and You Tube.
Commercial property: Staying in the picture
Ask any broker how they can add value for their commercial property clients and the chances are their first answer will be: provide a great claims service. However, while there is no denying that a prompt claims service matters to the client, the value…
Product launch: Online charity quote solution
Maven Underwriters has announced the release of its new online quote facility for charity insurance.
Broker poaching: Fishing for business
Poaching will always be popular if the bait is right. Louise Meeson asks whether it's worth taking a risk in an attempt to net a prize catch.
Non-environmental policies leave clients exposed
Brokers have been warned that client businesses relying on traditional public liability policies to insure against environmental risks could be "dangerously exposed".
Product launches: Aviva improves charity offering
Aviva has enhanced its offering for the charity and not-for-profit sector.
Economic downturn leads to claim payout battle for brokers
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has hit back at claims that brokers have had to fight harder to secure payouts for their clients during the recession.
Jelf creates national business focused on community broking
Jelf's insurance chief executive, Phil Barton, has spoken of the company's future plans after creating a "significant new player" in the market.
Product launch: Global water cover launched
Marsh has launched a contamination insurance product for water utility firms.
Your letters
From the Broker Forum, September http://forum.broking.co.uk
Broker Expo 2010: The Expo experience
It's that time of year again - the Insurance Age Broker Expo is fast approaching - so here's a rundown of what to expect. As usual we have the excellent, interactive workshops and nearly 100 exhibitors but this year we have introduced one-to-one broker…
Broker's balatant misuse of client money leads to FSA lifetime ban
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) slapped a lifetime ban on broker David Marriott after he used clients' funds to support his businesses and to finance bonuses, salary increases and new cars.
Barbon set to expand as comeback proves a success
Managing director of Barbon Insurance Group, Martin Oliver, has said the business was fighting back and had reclaimed a majority of the business it lost in its lettings and commercial property business as Erinaceous Insurance Services.
Reportage - start-ups: Branching out
Starting your own business is exciting but deciding between autonomy and a helping hand can be tough. Edward Murray looks at what to consider to get what you want and make sure your venture flourishes.
Lloyd's hopes to boost market share by 'getting out to regions'
Lloyd's new regional manager of UK and Ireland, Keith Stern, has revealed plans to target regional brokers in a bid to boost market share.
Aggregator surge could hamper insurers' IT
Software experts have raised concern that the growing popularity of comparison sites is causing IT troubles for UK insurance companies.
Reportage - state of the market: Caring for the community
There was a time when networks were touted as the best alternative to brokers that did not want to sell out to a consolidator. Louise Meeson assesses the current state of the market and asks if the same arguments in support of network membership still…
Industry's achievers reap the benefits at UK Broker Awards
Thomas, Carroll and Caravan Guard scooped two awards apiece at this year's UK Broker Awards.
News review: September
John Lewis unveiled plans to rebrand its insurance offering as it targeted "rapid growth" in the insurance market.
Product launches: Sterling wins DOA contract
David Oliver Associates (DOA) has chosen Sterling Insurance Company to underwrite its new Platinum Commercial Combined Policy.
Market Moves
A monthly look at who is moving where...
Comparison site to provide unique gadget cover service
Moneymaxim has launched what it claims is the first gadget insurance comparison service.
Broker claims debate: Giving credit where it's due
Credit-hire organisations step in to provide replacement vehicles to not at fault drivers when insurers fail to serve their needs. Unsurprisingly, the relationship between the two industries has always been tense. Edward Murray asks where brokers fit in…
Agenda: Do big insurance mergers work?
RSA's unwelcome bid for Aviva raises many issues but the main one is whether mergers between large insurance companies work in the long term.
Opinion: Editor's comment
We're all fully aware the Financial Services Authority (FSA) is getting tough. Both the trade press and the business pages of the national press are full of stories about the regulator fining and banning financial services practitioners. And this is very…
Banks put loan pressure on commercial clients with preferred broker constraints
The broking community has accused banks of abusing their position by placing increasing and aggressive pressure on small commercial clients to use their preferred insurance intermediaries.
Social media users could face rise in home premiums
Aggregators are divided over whether social networkers could see their home insurance premiums rise.
Bluefin selected as SPL broker
Bluefin is to target further sporting business north of the border after being appointed by the Scottish Premier League (SPL) as its nominated insurance broker.
Stonebridge poaches Bridle staff
Stonebridge Corporate Insurance Solutions has staked a claim to the Southampton market with a raid on rival firm Bridle Insurance Brokers.
Interview: A stern lesson
Liz McMahon meets Australia's latest export, Keith Stern, as he explains how his experiences on the other side of the world have equipped him to lead the Lloyd's regional broker pursuit
James Hallam undergoes a 'lucky' rebrand
The holding company of James Hallam Insurance Brokers has undergone a rebrand as the group positions itself to make further investments in the broking market.
Axa withdraws personal lines business from Westinsure
Axa has confirmed that its personal lines intermediary business has exited the Westinsure broker network and that all preferential commission rates for that book have ceased.
Broker claims debate: Restoring relations
With insurers under-resourced to cope with growing credit-hire volumes, the industry is feeling the strain. Chris Shaw asks how relations can be improved.
Ink hopes facility launch will fill solicitors' PI hole
Ink Underwriting Agencies has stated its intention to seize a "sizeable chunk" of the solicitors' professional indemnity (PI) market following the launch of a new facility.
Reportage - insurer service: Less is more
Insurers have shunned small partnerships in favour of big business, but this may have been an error of judgement. Jonathan Davey uncovers why smaller brokers may have more to offer.
Reward for efficiency required
There is no incentive for accident management companies to perform efficiently and the market requires legislation or a new product in order for it to perform acceptably.
Brit recommends buyout deal to shareholders
Brit Insurance has moved a step closer to selling the business after revealing it expects to recommend a buyout offer by Apollo Management and CVC Capital Partners to its shareholders.
LV denies market charge of 'massaging' motor results
LV has hit back at persistent market speculation surrounding the health of its motor business.
Oamps director resigns
A senior director of Reigate-based Oamps UK Insurance Brokers has resigned.
Product launches: Solicitors' PI for SMEs unveiled
St Mary Underwriting has launched a new solicitors' professional indemnity (PI) insurance offering for small to medium-sized (SME) solicitor firms.
Product review: PI for growing communications sector
Product Technology and communications sector professional indemnity cover.
Westfield absorbs tax increase and holds rates firm
Westfield Health has announced it will not immediately pass on the 1% rise in insurance premium tax (IPT) to policyholders - a decision set to cost the not-for-profit health insurance provider an estimated £530,000 per year.
Construction industry appeals to insurers for immediate help
Brokers are demanding that the insurance industry "step up to the plate" to aid the struggling construction sector.
Marsh announces aggressive network growth ambition
Marsh has claimed its network division will be a top three player by 2013 despite the departure of ProBroker head, Bruce Fertnig, and market rumours of limited insurer appetite.
Pruhealth's buyout threatens end to PMI's reigning duopoly
The stranglehold that Axa PPP and Bupa hold over the private medical insurance (PMI) market could be loosened, following Pruhealth's acquisition of Standard Life Health (SLH).
Broker claims debate - roundtable: A case of too many cooks?
The friction between brokers, insurers and accident management companies is well documented, but what has come under less scrutiny is the underlying reason for this tension. Martin Friel reports on this special roundtable debate.
Polly C
Polly loves a little bit of controversy, especially when it comes from an unexpected source, so she was 'all ears' when Phil Bunker, MD of LV Broker, let rip on rival Aviva.