Insurance Age - 2011-05-06
Articles in this issue
Reportage: what is there to be afraid of?
The shake-up of the regulatory regime has got the industry in a sweat, fearing the wounded beast may put it under unwarranted scrutiny. Edward Murray looks at what it means for brokers
Sentiment Survey Spring 2011
The latest Sentiment Survey indicates that the market is definitely hardening in personal lines, dual pricing is still a concern for brokers and uncertainty remains over networks. Emmanuel Kenning reports.
Broking success: thinking outside the box
Staysure’s Ryan Howsam talks to Liz McMahon about his journey from golf tours to £30m in gross written premiums, and putting together a new structure to overhaul the travel insurer’s product base
Management: extra protection
Managing risks for our customers plays a pivotal part in developing strong, long-term relationships, argues Ashwin Mistry, and the process will also drive sustained profitability for brokers and clients
Power hour: legally speaking
Our experts debate the issues facing legal expenses insurance, from the implications of the Jackson Review to referral fees and broker understanding of the market. Liz McMahon reports
Products: How to… make affinity changes work
If you get your affinity programme wrong, you create a customer who feels alienated and a return on investment that falls way below expectations. To work there has to be an open and honest dialogue.
Profile: Trading more efficiently
Growth in online commercial trading is creating an efficient market, Aviva’s regional broker director Gareth Hemming tells Martin Friel
Have you got a bright idea?
Insurance Age and Axa have teamed-up to offer you the chance to turn your ‘Big Idea’ into reality
FSCS pledges to target insurers in the wake of High Court PPI ruling
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme’s (FSCS) confirmation that it will pursue recoveries from insurers involved in the mis-selling of payment protection insurance (PPI) has triggered debate over where the responsibility for the whole debacle…
FSA fines set to treble, brokers warned
Two new regulators formed from splitting the FSA could compete to set the highest fines
Trade credit insurance changes may leave brokers open to attack
Measures to widen cover available to UK businesses exporting to non-OECD countries could give brokers familiar with the changes a chance to poach clients
Line blurred between mid corporate and SME
Lack of clear distinction between SMEs and mid corporates has led to an overcrowded sector
Editor’s letter – May 2011
Judging by our reportage on regulation, the powers that be in Whitehall have no intention of relieving the pressure on brokers. This is despite the fact that the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (Biba) commissioned independent research that found…
Rocketing motor premiums put telematics back on the agenda
Brokers could regain market-share, as reports reveal 40% price increase
EL faces year without online processing
“If insurers make this mandatory, this could effectively stop e-trading [in this sector] altogether” – Simon Ronaldson, Acturis
Blanc sheet for new Axa appointments
After several high-profile departures at Axa Commercial, what do two new hires mean for the insurer?
Ruling forces rethink over ash cloud payouts
Ombudsman rules that insurers remain liable for payouts to passengers left stranded by ash cloud
Jon Dye: what have you done for brokers lately?
From expanding Allianz Retail’s motor offering and setting up an online comparison service to trying to out-sing Gio Compario, Jon Dye tells us what he’s been up to.
Products roundup: Finding a niche and bucking the trend
There is an interesting irony in Groupama’s launch of its Exclusively product range. It was given this name, after much painstaking deliberation we are told, as each offering focuses specifically on a trade, thus creating bespoke coverage for it.
Products: Allianz and PolicyBee take PI to the regions
Professional indemnity (PI) has taken to the regions as Allianz Commercial rolls out its offering beyond the London market and a PI broker launches in Suffolk.
Groupama targets niche trade with Exclusively
As part of the launch of its Exclusively range, Groupama is to broaden its distribution base by giving the open market access to certain scheme areas.
Review: a buy-to-let policy that offers something different
This product has been reviewed by brokers and rated from one to five stars, based on the policy’s key benefits.
Review: comprehensive combined machinery and equipment cover
This product has been reviewed by brokers and rated from one to five stars, based on the policy’s key benefits.
Time to refine measures
The Bribery Act guidance doesn’t need to be a burden on the corporate system, says Richard Burger
Results: the battle of the giants
The big five have weathered the storm but there’s little hope of hardening markets, says Tony Cornell
Market moves: a clean swoop is the trend for teams
It used to be that individuals would leave one company to join another and miraculously several colleagues would appear by their side a few months later.
How to… choose a recruiter
Looking for a new job but don't know how to go about getting the most appropriate recruitment consultant? Here's how
Acquisitions: the price is wrong
When selling your business, brokers need to be realistic on price and put emotion to one side, says Paul Anscombe
Products: Biba in deal to provide brokers with access to export insurance scheme
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (Biba) has come to an agreement with the government’s Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD) to provide general insurance brokers with access to the ECGD export insurance scheme for their clients.
Products: KWW launches liability suite
Lloyd’s broker Kite Warren & Wilson (KWW) has targeted the high end SME asset manager and Lloyd’s managing agent market with a suite of new liability products.
Products: Markel UK goes direct with offering to ‘unattractive’ low-premium clients
Markel UK, the retail division of Markel International, has launched a direct commercial offering. Markel Direct will be targeted at low-premium clients, many of which, according to Markel, share the characteristics of personal lines business therefore…