Insurer
Aviva UK business grows but profits dip
Aviva UK’s general insurance business delivered higher growth but lower profits in 2011 as it managed to pin its combined operating ratio to 2010 levels.
LFC Shield pushes new Allianz-backed product range
LFC Shield has added Allianz to its existing insurer panel.
Quinn purchaser sees net income slump
Liberty Mutual Holding has reported a 78.2% fall in net income to $365m (£232m) in 2011 from $1.68bn the previous year.
Job opportunities fall but pay rises in general insurance
Job opportunities across sectors rose more sharply in February than in January but fell in insurance, according to the latest Reed Job Index.
Labour would force insurers to offer telematics
Insurers could be forced to offer telematics to potential clients under a new proposal from Shadow transport minister, John Woodcock.
Admiral delivers "disappointing" results despite hike in profits
Admiral has delivered a 13% increase in profits to £299m in 2011, a result its chief executive described as disappointing.
ABI warns time is running out on flood insurance cover
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has warned that the clock is ticking on the need to secure a long-term sustainable flood insurance market in the UK.
Ai Claims extends ULR deal to 2015
Ai Claims Solutions has signed a three year deal with ULR Additions to continue providing credit hire and repair facilities.
S&P maintains negative watch on Groupama S.A.
Standard & Poor’s (S&P) has reaffirmed its negative watch on Groupama S.A. and maintained its rating for the group at BBB-.
Omega posts 134% COR
Omega Insurance Holdings has reported a $94.7m (£60.1m) loss before tax for 2011, more than double the $42.9m it lost in the previous year.
Ecclesiastical loses broker director as part of restructure
Ecclesiastical has parted company with Ian Wainwright, broker sales director, as part of a managerial restructure.
Rural expands reach with three new deals
Rural Insurance has signed deals with Coversure and the Farmers Union of Wales (FUW), and renewed its partnership agreement with Broker Network to distribute agricultural motor, equine and farm risks until the end of December 2014.
Amlin chairman set to retire as results show near £200m loss
Amlin has reported pre-tax losses of £193.8m for 2011, compared to a profit of £259.2m for 2010.
QBE snares RSA's SME boss for senior role
QBE has turned to two of its largest rivals to secure a brace of senior hires.
Axa Commercial takes new approach to schemes business
Axa Commercial Lines is to implement a new approach to its schemes business which it believes will allow brokers and insurers greater control of schemes.
Markel targets fine art market with MGA acquisition
Markel International has acquired Quay Underwriting (QU).
Aviva to attack corporate risk market with regional underwriting
Aviva will attempt to snatch a 20% share of the corporate risks market by increasing underwriting authority at a regional level.
Editor’s letter - March 2012
“Read between the lines and you will detect some belief that the worst of the bad times may be over”
Life’s little knock-for-knocks
A recent accident has highlighted everything that is wrong with the current motor claims process, explains Tony Cornell
Underwriters' role will have diminished by 2022 according to report
The overwhelming majority of SME business (80%) will be traded automatically or direct in ten years’ time and there will be less emphasis on underwriters’ experience and judgment according to a report from the Chartered Insurance Institute’s (CII).
Reportage: Personal targets
Personal lines brokers are seeing massive changes in the motor, household and travel sectors. With no let-up in sight, where do the opportunities lie in the months and years ahead? Edward Murray reports
Axa details new products in e-traded Simple range
Axa has launched six new products in the first wave of its multi-channel distribution strategy for brokers.
Ai Claims sees slip in profit and revenue
Ai Claims Solutions has reported a fall in profit to £858,000 in the six months to December 2011 compared to £1.2m in the same period of 2010.
Axa makes further addition to regional network
Axa Commercial is set to open its 11th regional trading office with the establishment of a new branch in Maidstone.