Insurer
Reportage - CII training: The value of training
The CII has an enviable reputation for promoting professionalism in the industry, however there is a sentiment in some parts of the market that it is more concerned with making money. Louise Phillips weighs up the true value of its training structure.
Your opinions: Chartered Insurance Institute report on BCP highlights disparity in thinking
Insurance Age welcomes your opinions via email, Linked In, the Broker Forum, Twitter and good old-fashioned letters. Send your views to Martin Friel, editor, Insurance Age, VNU House, 32 – 34 Broadwick Street, London, W1A 2HG or email martin.friel…
Viewpoint: Technically speaking
With the success of the iPad and Lloyd's plans to trial the replacement of traditional underwriting slips, Martin Eves asks whether new technology can be incorporated to benefit the insurance industry or if it is more often a case of hype over substance
Product review: Optima PI for non-traditional trades
This product has been reviwed by brokers and rated from one to five based on the policy's key benefits.
Non-standard risks: When risks don't fit
David Whitaker discusses the trials of obtaining non-standard insurance and explores how brokers can go about placing these risks.
Bluefin's Elite in run-off to allow greater Platinum focus
Bluefin has announced it is putting its Elite underwriting facility for small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) business into run-off in favour of expanding its existing Platinum product range.
News review: November 2010
IAG UK-owned broker Barnett & Barnett almost doubled its size to £50m gross written premium, with a move for a controlling stake in Bromley-based commercial and personal lines specialist NBJ.
Schemes news: Markel launches D&O hat trick
Markel International has broadened its appetite in the directors' and officers' (D&O) market with the introduction of three new products.
Editor's comment - December 2010
As our front page shows, the prospect of mandatory commission disclosure appears to be receding. I'm not a broker so I can't really make any truly informed comment on the rights or wrongs of this. However, I'm a journalist and, by extension, nosey.
E-commerce: Powerplace completes '3 As' with Axa addition
Powerplace has secured what it described as the "3 As" after announcing Axa's intention to join its panel of insurers.
Regional review: Way out west
An area that sometimes falls off the radar, Louise Meeson surveys brokers and insurers in Wales and the South West to discover many have been shielded from the worst of the economic crisis.
Product update: SMEs protected from insolvency
Trade credit insurance firm Atradius has launched a policy designed specifically to help protect small to medium-sized enterprises (SME) from unexpected insolvencies impacting their supply chain.
Product update: Sunworld travel disruption
A new product designed to protect travellers against the insolvency of travel agents and tour operators and the disruption caused by increasingly severe weather events, has been launched.
Power hour: Calling in the experts?
This month's debate, with live interaction from Twitter, ascertains what value MGAs bring to brokers' businesses and the wider market. Are they simply another mouth to feed or the specialists that insurers and brokers need to service a diverse client…
Entire Choicequote workforce in redundancy consultation
The entire staff and management team at Choicequote have entered a redundancy consultation period just two and a half years after the broker was bought by Groupama.
Product update: Metals and machinery cover
Aviva has launched two bespoke policies for those working specifically in metals or machinery and equipment.
Allianz responds to calls for South-west presence
Allianz has responded to regional broker demand by launching a mobile underwriting team in the South West.
The interview: Spreading the word
Although officially retired from the industry, Reg Brown remains full of ambition. Liz McMahon talks to the former president of the CII about his community work, formation of the MGAA and, of course, the London Phoenix Orchestra.
Insurers create London teams to develop broker relationships
Broker focused insurers Groupama Insurances and Ecclesiastical have set up new divisions in London in an effort to win new business.
Agenda: Insurance and the state
The insurance industry and the state are inextricably entwined with a large number of common interests but competing in a number of areas in looking after the wellbeing of citizens and businesses. On a macro basis, the need for insurance in a communist…
E-commerce: Failing to enforce 'leaver' processes risks giving access to competitors
Brokers could be leaving their client database wide open to attack from competitors by not implementing effective staff exit strategies, according to industry experts.
E-commerce: Insurers urged not to rush into app development
Insurers have been warned against rushing to create iPhone applications (apps) for basic insurance processes as Aviva became the latest insurer to launch an app.
2010 review: A year of living cautiously
The economy grew, rival political parties unexpectedly started working together and personal lines rates even hardened, although plenty of surprises and setbacks meant that 2010 was far from plain sailing, writes Andrew Tjaardstra.
2010 round-up - Professionalism: The year of the professional
This year saw the launch of PB's and Post's Investing in the Profession campaign to promote a new era of professionalism, writes Andrew Tjaardstra.