Insurer
Polly C – the hottest insurance gossip
Polly gets her red arm band on to relay this month's hottest gossip
Broking success: Training to gain
Emmanuel Kenning speaks with a profitable, debt free start-up motor broker that is writing more than £50m a year, targeting 250,000 policies within 18 months and focusing on staff training and development
Reap the rewards
A growing SME market could provide an ample harvest for brokers and insurers, says David Overall.
Happy searching
Natural searches can be as effective at winning new business as appearing on aggregator sites, says Kevin Taylor
Editor’s letter – June 2011
I think the front cover says it all. For many brokers, moving into the online world is a leap of faith and not one that should be taken lightly. But there is momentum. Every insurer executive is talking about e-trading and they’re desperate for you, the…
Sign up now for the 2011 Prince's Trust Insurance Cup
With the 2010/11 football season over, whether your team finished top, rock bottom or stuck in mid-table obscurity, it’s time to start looking forward to The Prince's Trust Insurance Cup.
Update: Axa Commercial Lines unveils regional branch managers
Axa Commercial has confirmed a series of appointments across its branch network following its declared strategy of empowering local underwriters to service insurance brokers.
Is this the end of insurer love affair with MGAs?
Market flux fuels speculation over managing general agents sector
Market moves: Team players and fresh faces
They say a problem shared is a problem halved. And the same, elusive “they” also say that many hands make light work. Clearly the insurance community has been spending a lot of time with “they” as teamwork has been the buzz phrase in this month’s…
How to… Unlock the potential of health cash plans
In a nutshell: The story of 2011 is proving to be one of fierce cuts, high inflation, low bank lending and uncertain interest rates. Commercial clients need to retain their employees so they can ride out the storm, but the chances of offering them an…
Dual pricing must end, demands broker
Broker claims three cases cost his firm £35,000
Brokers divided over trade body union
Small independent brokers fear their voice will be lost in the crowd if Biba and IIB merger comes off.
Products: Launches show sea change for insurers
Two insurers took the industry by surprise by launching products in markets they had previously shied away from.
Profile: Evolutionary thinker
Ageas’ managing director is confident of rapid growth after seeing a sharp rise in e-trading and a strengthening private motor market, writes Martin Friel
Review: Protection goes on tour
This product has been reviewed by brokers and rated from one to five stars, based on the policy’s key benefits. * = Poor ** = Average *** = Good **** = Very good ***** = Excellent
Products: Providers unveil a raft of online offerings at Biba conference
Providers clearly saw Biba 2011 as an opportunity to court brokers with their new online offerings as Jubilee, Aviva, Ecclesiastical and Catlin all launched technology products.
Products: Biba health plan draws fire from health specialists
A new private medical insurance scheme for general insurance brokers set up by the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (Biba) has raised the hackles of specialists operating in this arena.
RSA buys into calm waters of marine
Insurer snaps up pleasure craft specialist despite softening marine sector
Motoring along
Insurers need to think carefully before introducing private car profit sharing, explains Tony Cornell.
How to… Mentoring
In a nutshell: Finding and retaining staff is key to success in an industry where nearly a third of broker owners are over 60. Mentoring programmes may help to strengthen the bond between staff and company making them less likely to move.
Law change leaves brokers unsure of role
Brokers fear increased burden if Consumer Insurance Bill passes into law.
E-broking: keep your business in touch
The event that will demonstrate how to get the most out of e-broking
Reportage: Take the plunge
The personal lines market is well and truly established on the internet, but the SME market is lagging behind. Edward Murray explains why now is the time to go online before the big players move in.
Power hour: Talking technology
Technology and e-trading has the power to transform the industry but, as our experts discussed at Biba 2011, insurers and brokers have been slow on the uptake. Liz McMahon reports.