Insurer
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.
Review: One-stop-shop for commercial
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: Self-build scheme goes online
Broker Atkinson Smith and Brit Insurance have launched an online quote and buy system as part of their self-build (new build) and home extension/conversion scheme.
Brokers unconvinved by signs of market hardening
Lone suggestion that the commercial market could be on the cusp of changing is dismissed by rest of market.
Product's roundup: Insurers save the best for Biba 2011
The last month has been all about Biba 2011 so, unsurprisingly, it dominates the content of the schemes and products pages. The most contentious aspect of the coverage however, comes from a scheme the trade body launched for non-PMI brokers. Its aim to…
Groupama chief slams legal profession over referral fees
The chief executive of Groupama Insurances has blasted the “lobbying power” of the legal profession in preventing the introduction of an outright ban on the use of referral fees.
More judicial reviews but no certainty of success, says RPC
There will be more judicial reviews following the decision by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) to increase the top limit of awards by the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) however recent events mean the regulators will be “emboldened” in defending…
Wave of new regulation tops insurance sector risks in poll
The greatest risk facing the insurance industry is the raft of new regulations being introduced simultaneously at international and local levels, according to a new survey.
Industry reacts to referral fee report
Lawyers and insurers have slammed the recommendation by the Legal Services Board (LSB) to retain referral fees in the personal injury marketplace.
No ban for referral fees, says LSB
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has recommended that referral fees be allowed to continue but with strengthened transparency obligations to manage their impact and prevent abuses.
FSA confirms new consumer complaint handling rules and ups FOS award limit to £150,000
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has confirmed new complaints handling rules as part of a package of measures designed to drive up standards within the industry.
Insurance Age blog: Insurance isn't the problem says Galbraith
In a special guest blog, chief executive of the British Insurance Brokers' Association, Eric Galbraith, argues that the industry needs to work together to improve public perception.