Insurer
Hiscox awarded chartered status
Hiscox has been awarded corporate chartered insurer status by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) for their London market business.
Firstassist sold by venture capitalist owners
Firstassist Legal Expenses Insurance is to be acquired from Equistone Partners Europe by Burford Capital.
QBE rebuilds Europe team
QBE has appointed Judy Holt as head of business development, European markets.
Groupama could be headed for junk bond rating
Groupama SA has suffered further bad news on its credit rating status with Standard & Poor’s warning it could lower the group to junk bond status.
Axa boss quits to "pursue other interests"
Mike Keating, managing director, intermediary and partnerships sales at Axa, has left the business.
Ageas finds new boss for Rias and Castle Cover
Ageas Retail has found an MD for its Rias and Castle Cover businesses following the resignation of Janet Connor earlier this year.
Insurance Age blog: Those flip-flopping insurers
Insurers are a funny bunch. They always seem to be changing their minds about stuff. One day they love a particular line of business, the next they are getting out of it.
OFT finds lack of competition in private healthcare market
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has provisionally decided to refer the market for privately funded healthcare services in the UK to the Competition Commission for further investigation.
Axa reveals package of benefits for chartered brokers
Axa Commercial has unveiled a trio of benefits for chartered brokers following a period of market consultation.
Perseverance completes UK exit
Birmingham-based broker, Premium Choice, has bought back shares held by the insurance arm of venture capitalist firm, Perseverance.
Man jailed after £2.3m insurance fraud attempt
A man who exaggerated his injuries and attempted to claim £2.3m in compensation has been jailed for four months by the Royal Courts of Justice after his deception was uncovered and he was found in contempt of court.
Mitsui Sumitomo expands in Dublin
Mitsui Sumitomo has appointed Brian Moran and Gavin Mullen to expand the offering of its recently launched Dublin office.
Motor market fights back, declare experts
Ernst & Young has predicted a significant improvement in the motor insurance industry’s 2011 results following analysis of the UK market’s Q3 statements.
Equity Direct Broking gets rebrand
IAG UK has repositioned its specialist affinity division and given it the new trading name Equity Insurance Partnerships (EIP).
LEI providers challenged to manage conflicts of ABS
Arc Legal Assistance has challenged legal expenses providers intending to develop alternative business structures (ABS) to prove they can manage the “inherent conflicts” the situation throws up.
NIG makes business development push in the south
NIG has appointed three new area business development managers (ABDM) across the south of the UK.
Nearly two-thirds of UK businesses hit by bad weather
Research conducted by Zurich has revealed that 64% of UK businesses have suffered disruption as a result of adverse weather.
An audience with: Julian James, CII president
Next year sees the Chartered Insurance Institute celebrate the centenary of its being granted a Royal Charter. But far from sitting back and reflecting on past glories, the CII is determined to use its anniversary year to tackle the big issues set to…
Distribution chief Terry Whittaker leaves QBE
QBE Europe has confirmed the departure of Terry Whittaker, managing director of distribution, with immediate effect.
ABI confirms no higher premiums for winter tyres
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has reassured motorists that fitting winter tyres should not result in higher motor insurance premiums.
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