Insurer
L&G launches new income protection product
Legal & General has launched Lifestyle Cover, a new short-term income protection product.
Water companies must stop flood of unnecessary policies says Which?
Consumer group Which? has revealed that ten of the UK’s twelve biggest water companies are promoting supply pipe insurance which is potentially unnecessary.
Axa and Autoglass in new four-year deal
Axa and its subsidiary Swiftcover.com have appointed Autoglass as their preferred supplier.
General insurers face credit downgrade over personal injury claims
Ratings agency Moody’s has warned the increase in periodical payment orders (PPO) will be credit negative for general insurers with exposures to personal injury claims.
Groupama in Brightside motorbike deal
Groupama Insurances has agreed to become the sole underwriter of motorcycle policies sold through eBike, part of the Brightside Group.
Which? accuses insurers of taking consumers for a ride
Consumer watchdog Which? has accused several insurers of charging customers exorbitant hidden fees for basic policy changes and renewals.
Ageas takes sponsorship of cricket ground
Ageas has joined the growing ranks of insurers involved in sports sponsorship in a new partnership with Hampshire cricket.
Direct Line could raise £500m ahead of flotation
Direct Line, the newly rebranded insurance arm of RBS, plans to raise £500m through selling debt, according to the Telegraph.
Canopius shakes up executive committee
Canopius Group has announced a reshuffle of its group executive committee, with the creation of two new business units.
Axa swoops for Zurich personal lines broker chief
Axa Personal Lines has appointed Gareth Howell as its new product household director.
Motor premiums start heading downwards
Prices for comprehensive car cover fell by 3.3% in the first quarter of 2012, the first time in almost four years that car insurance premiums have seen any reduction, according to the Confused.com/Towers Watson Car Insurance Price Index.
Chartis looks inward for new casualty chief
Chartis has appointed a new UK head of casualty, one of the insurer’s core lines of business.
Quindell adds to shareholding in Lineker-backed insurance offering
Quindell Portfolio has paid £2.85m cash for a further 16.4% stake in Ingenie, the insurance intermediary digital brand aimed at young drivers.
Mondial re-brands as it heads into health market
Mondial Assistance UK has announced that it will rebrand to Allianz Global Assistance in October this year as it embarks on a new foray into the health sector.
CFC chief reveals post-MBO plans
David Walsh, managing director at CFC Underwriting, has revealed the company's plans to move further into the affinities business and expand its product range.
CCV purchases remaining 70% of Kent-based broker
CCV has completed its phased acquisition of Kent-based broker Capital & County.
CFC management go it alone following MBO
The management team at CFC Underwriting, the cyber risk specialist MGA, have completed a management buyout of the company from the Hyperion Insurance Group.
Livestock rustling sends claims soaring in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is the worst affected region for livestock rustling, accounting for more than 20% of claims in 2011, according to rural insurer NFU Mutual.
RSA to reduce broker panel to achieve commercial profitability
RSA's 2011 report and accounts has confirmed that the insurer will take a more “targeted approach” to its broker distribution in the UK.
Brit suffers ratings downgrade after QBE sale
AM Best has downgraded the financial strength rating and issuer credit rating of Brit Insurance Limited (BIL) to A- from A and placed the ratings under review with negative implications.
Chartis Europe sees reduced profit and GWP but improved COR
Chartis Europe has reported a fall in profit for the year ended November 2011 to £11m, compared with £101m in 2010.
Iprism returns to profit with doubled turnover
Iprism Underwriting Agency has reported a jump back to profit, with earnings of £2.1m for the year ended December 2011, compared with a loss of £0.8m in 2010.
Home Secretary gives backing to Biba and ABI signposting initiative
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (Biba) and the Association of British Insurers (ABI) have revealed a government backed signposting agreement which they claim will make it easier for older customers to find motor and travel insurance.
QBE reveals expansion plans to brokers
Ash Bathia, chief underwriting officer at QBE for property, casualty and motor, has told brokers to expect more engagement and products from the provider after its acquisition of Brit’s UK regional business.