Insurer
Plum hires in bid to fuel further growth
Plum Underwriting has hired two new underwriters to handle its rapid growth in the non-standard household market.
Brokers favour tighter home claims checks, according to Axa
Over one third of brokers (38%) said they believed people were more likely to exaggerate a claim than a year ago, according to research by Axa.
Mitsui Sumitomo confirms Chubb raid as it moves into Ireland
Mitsui Sumitomo at Lloyd’s has confirmed that it is to establish branches in Dublin and Belfast as part of its expansion plans.
Zurich disappointed by SRA changes
Zurich has raised concerns that the changes unveiled by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) will not address challenges in the market particularly for small firms renewing professional indemnity (PI) insurance.
Five year fraud investigation results in 33 guilty pleas
A five year investigation by Bedfordshire Police into a major insurance fraud by an organised criminal enterprise based in Luton has concluded with three of the last four defendants being found guilty at Luton Crown Court.
Markel goes direct but promises brokers e-trade option
Markel UK, the retail division of Markel International, has launched a direct commercial offering.
Joint venture purchase of Quinn results in 30 UK redundancies
A joint venture of Liberty Mutual and Anglo Irish Bank has been announced as the preferred bidder for the general insurance business of Quinn Insurance.
APC to double SME presence in the North
APC has revealed it aims to double its book of SME business in the North of England and Scotland over the next 18 months by hiring a dedicated business development manager (BDM) for the region.
Allianz unveils PI team ahead of product launch
Allianz Commercial has established a new Professional Indemnity (PI) underwriting team in preparation for the launch of a new product later this month.
Sean Genden appointed CEO of Travelers Europe
Travelers has named Sean Genden as chief executive officer for Travelers Europe. The provider said his appointment was designed to support its strategic and growth initiatives in the European property and casualty market.
Norgrove confirmed as Zurich's GI CEO in Ireland
Zurich Insurance has confirmed the appointment of Ken Norgrove as chief executive officer of its general insurance (GI) business in Ireland.
MMA launches scheme team
Broker-only insurer MMA has formed a dedicated schemes team designed to build on the 20% growth of commercial schemes it experienced in 2010.
Groupama launches first product from "Exclusively" range
Groupama Insurances has created a series of specialist commercial insurance products for open market trading with supporting brokers.
Products/schemes: How to… unlock the profit in add-ons
Many industries rely upon ancillary income to generate their profit. Low cost airlines, unable to deliver margin from their core products, instead make their money on hotels, hire cars, or travel insurance. In the motor trade, new car sales deliver low…
Mike Smith says MMA will be "a force to be reckoned with"
Former Provident Insurance director Mike Smith has reacted to the news that the specialist motor insurer has been sold to Covea Group-owned insurer MMA.
Provident deal receives cautious welcome from brokers
MMA’s acquisition of Provident has been welcomed by brokers, but concern has been voiced over how the merger could impact on the variety of products available.
Ageas unveils four retail appointments
Ageas UK has announced a series of appointments as it looks to support the growth of its retail operations.
MMA to buy Provident Insurance
Covea Group owned insurer MMA has agreed a long touted deal to acquire the Halifax based motor insurer Provident.
Claims firm shut down and stung with fine following organised fraud
An accident management company director has been hit with “huge” legal bill after his involvement in a string of fraudulent claims topping £200,000.
Polly C – the hottest insurance gossip
Polly was surprised to hear rumours that a leading broker, that espouses the benefits of independence, was actually in the market for a buy-out.
"Give me six months" Blanc asks brokers
Axa Commercial boss, Amanda Blanc, has asked brokers to give her six months to prove that she will genuinely empower her local underwriters to make decisions.
Reed in as MD as Blanc's restructure puts 114 jobs in jeopardy
Axa Commercial Lines CEO Amanda Blanc has merged the insurer's specialist markets and solution and distribution branches and appointed Matthew Reed to lead the new division as MD of intermediary and direct.
Products: Lord rises to security challenge
Conservative peer Lord Sheikh’s new broker and underwriting agent Macmillan Sheikh has launched its first scheme for the security industry.
Products: Vets4pets tie-up for NCI pet policy
Scheme insurance specialist NCI Insurance Services has partnered with veterinary group Vets4Pets to launch a pet insurance policy to customers throughout the UK.