Insurer
Reportage: And a happy new year?
A tough 2011 looks likely to be followed by another 12 months to forget, but there are some things to look forward to, writes Caitlin Morrison
Power hour: Commercial challenge
The market constantly bemoans commercial rates and the sector seems to be struggling. So, what will be the main challenges in commercial lines in 2012 and how is the Scottish market facing up to them? Martin Friel finds out
Insurers return to the regions
Moving underwriters to regional offices is just one way insurers have tried to get closer to brokers in 2011
Review: Motoring along
Motor Fleet from Axa. 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: Dual Corporate Risks launches fraud product
Dual Corporate Risks has launched Management Liability Plus designed to protect privately-owned companies, their directors, company pension funds and trustees from claims and losses incurred as a result of internal fraud.
Product roundup: ‘Tis the season to tackle cyber crime
While it may seem incongruous to raise such matters in the season of goodwill, this month’s products and schemes pages are dominated by cyber crime, fraud, litigation and a change at Biba’s oldest scheme as the association dispensed with Sterling’s…
Winners and losers
If the ban on referral fees goes ahead next year, the repercussions could be felt throughout the industry, explains Tony Cornell
Profile: Making the grade
Moving Groupama away from its grey man reputation to become a niche specialist was a risk, UK CEO François-Xavier Boisseau tells Emmanuel Kenning, but one worth taking
Get online
If you haven’t got your web site sorted out yet, now is the perfect time to go online, explains Richard Stevenson
Lorega and Keychoice join forces
Lorega has joined with Keychoice to provide commercial loss recovery insurance and services for its members.
Argo targets liability market with new hire
Argo International has appointed a new head of international general liability.
Synergy sale marks latest shake up in HNW sector
High net worth managing general agent (MGA), Synergy Insurance Services, has been purchased by Randall and Quilter.
Congregational appoints head of underwriting
Congregational & General Insurance (CGI) has appointed Andy Squires as head of underwriting.
Donaldson insists brokers come first at RSA
RSA’s Paul Donaldson has reaffirmed the insurer’s commitment to the broker market while dismissing rival insurer strategies, as “sound bites”.
Blanc pleased with progress but demands more
Amanda Blanc has challenged rival insurers to “put their money where their mouth is” on chartered status as she hailed the progress of her own broker-focused strategy.
XL appoints Hendrick as insurance operations chief
Greg Hendrick will become chief executive of XL’s insurance business on 1 January 2012 when incumbent Dave Duclos retires.
Austyn Tusler shows up at Barbican
Former Hiscox private clients chief Austyn Tusler has moved to Barbican, one of a series of appointments at the Lloyd’s syndicate.
DAS buys Everything Legal
DAS UK has purchased online legal services company Everything Legal.
Aviva unveils new regional broking structure
Aviva has confirmed it has moved from a five, to six-region structure with the addition of Scotland in a reorganisation of its 29 branch network effective immediately.
New Midlands manager for Ink Insurance
Ink Insurance has appointed Lee Bayliss as regional underwriting manager to the Midlands area.
Ghost brokers ripping off thousands of motorists
Thousands of drivers could be unknowingly uninsured after purchasing fraudulent or fake cover, according to a BBC report.
Axa denies reports it will take Bluefin in-house
Axa has refuted claims, published in the Sunday Telegraph, that it plans to take the general insurance broking segment of Bluefin in-house.
LMA urges Ombudsman to look at true costs of rising motor premiums
The Lloyd’s Market Association (LMA) has stressed that losses in the motor insurance market and unnecessary costs faced by insurers are responsible for pushing up prices for customers.
Insurance Age blog: The Social Network
Here at Insurance Age we are heralding a new dawn. Entering the age of enlightenment. Opening a new chapter.