Insurer
Axa survey finds SMEs pessimistic about profits
A survey of SMEs by Axa Commercial Lines has revealed that while hopes for an increase in turnover were strong expectations of profitability and plans for recruitment were less positive.
Insurer service improving, according to survey
Service from insurers in the UK is improving, according to figures released by Jelf.
RBSI firms fined £2.17m over complaints tampering
Direct Line and Churchill have been hit with a £2.17m fine by the Financial Services Authority (FSA).
Coface: Companies bearing the brunt of Eurozone crisis
Coface has warned that European companies face increased non-payment incidents and worsened credit risk as the crisis in the Eurozone continues.
Standard & Poor’s maintains negative outlook for insurers
Standard & Poor’s (S&P) has removed Allianz Plc, Aviva Insurance (Europe) and Axa Insurance from its Creditwatch list but confirmed it was keeping a negative outlook for insurers.
Jack Straw warns of regulatory threat facing motor insurers
Jack Straw has called on the industry, particularly insurers, to do much more to reform the private motor market or face further government intervention.
Hyperion celebrates 21% rise in revenue
Hyperion Insurance Group, has reported a 21% increase in revenue to £87m for the year ended September 2011.
New PI cover for media sector
Travelers has introduced a new professional indemnity (PI) product to cover the publishing and general media sectors.
UK General secures new capacity
UK General has agreed a new capacity deal with Ecclesiastical vehicle, Ansvar.
Cruise ship disaster costliest in maritime history
The Costa Concordia crash could be the biggest insured loss in maritime history.
RSA relocates in Ipswich
RSA has opened a new site in Ipswich in a bid to increase broker access to trading staff.
Ex-Jubilee chief returns to market
Andreas Loucaides has been appointed syndicate operations and development director at a Lloyd’s syndicate – A G Dore & Others (Syndicate 2526) – less than a month after his sudden departure from Jubilee.
Sterling targets northern business with new Manchester office
Sterling Insurance has confirmed it will open a regional branch in Manchester by the end of March 2012.
Ink snaps up Adding1’s commercial wholesale book
Ink Insurance has bought Adding1’s property, liability and motor fleet based business and confirmed that CEO Julio Rodilosso will be retained in a consultancy role.
Ireland's Injuries Board sets good example
The UK should look to Ireland for a lesson on tackling the problem of increasing insurance premiums, according to Catherine Barton, partner in the insurance team at Ernst & Young.
Where now for Groupama et al?
So we’ve got three insurers up for sale, namely RBSI, Brit and now Groupama. Consolidation in the insurer space has been predicted for some time now but I don’t think people expected it to happen like this – more deals done behind closed doors than…
LV creates 50 jobs in Bristol
LV has announced it is to create 50 new jobs in the first quarter of 2012 through expanding its Bristol operation.
i-Digital and Jubilee claim industry first for download cover
Underwriting agency i-Digital Insurance and Lloyd’s insurer Jubilee have released a new policy to cover downloaded content held on computers, smartphones, mobiles devices and any other form of electronic equipment.
Groupama chief flattered to be for sale
Groupama’s chief executive officer, François-Xavier Boisseau, has described being put up for sale as both a “disappointment and good surprise. It is quite flattering to be for sale because you are considered a very valuable asset.”
Groupama in the UK up for sale
Groupama is to sell its UK operation as the French insurer scrabbles to raise funds to shore up its EU debt position.
Groupama broker insists business as usual despite sale
Graham Lark, chief executive of Lark Group, has told Insurance Age he believes it is business as usual for the broker following the news of Groupama putting its UK business up for sale.
Motor premium hardening grinds to a halt
Motor insurance premiums rose by only 0.05% for the average comprehensive policy in the final quarter of 2011, a survey by Confused.com and Towers Watson has revealed.
NIG wins events underwriting contract from Axa
NIG has won the contract to underwrite the core business of Event Insurance Services (EIS) from incumbent provider, Axa.
Mitsui Sumitomo appoints ex-Chubb leader
Mitsui Sumitomo at Lloyd’s has appointed Steve Ranzetta as class underwriter to target the UK and international accident and health market.