Insurer
Zurich reports fall in GI profit but rise in COR
Zurich has reported a 2% fall in general insurance business operating profit to $3.5bn (£2.2bn) in 2009, compared to the previous year, however, in local currencies it increased by 1%.
Catlin raids Swiss Re for senior hire
Catlin Group has announced that Martin Zingg has been appointed chief investment officer of the Catlin Group with effect from 1 March. He will be based in Catlin’s office in Zurich, Switzerland
QBE becomes partner to RFU
On 3 February QBE announced an agreement to become the official insurance partner of England rugby.
PB Week: Mike Crane's weatherman presentation
Mike Crane's team attempt to spice up his insurance words of wisdom in the latest PB Week
Axa goes direct with Confused.com
Axa has returned to the direct insurance market in the form of Axa Direct, the latest insurer to join Confused.com’s list of motor providers.
Keychoice Underwriting takes first steps towards market launch
Keychoice Underwriting has unveiled its senior management team in the run up to its official launch later this year
Insurance industry encouraged to take on apprentices
The Government has launched National Apprenticeship Week and is urging insurance employers to recruit apprentices
Market moves: A monthly look at who is moving where
Neil Cook has joined Equity & General Insurance Services, based in Rugby. He will adopt the role of specialist risk negotiator and head up his own team focusing on placing complex commercial and household risks. He will deal with clients that have faced…
Savings from offshoring swallowed by tax hikes
Insurers that made huge savings by offshoring processes to low-cost locations outside the European Union (EU) will see these savings significantly reversed due to changes in the application of VAT
Groupama's UK general claims handling to be consolidated
Groupama Insurances has announced plans to centralise its UK general insurance claims operations
Operating profit marks Arista's start-up success
Commercial lines underwriter Arista has finally moved into profit after completing a three-year start-up phase
Legal expenses sector argues problems are specific to Das
Legal expenses providers have hit back at the assertion by Das chief executive Paul Asplin that the UK model "had run its course"
Insurer partnerships expand as Adding 1 seals five-year deal
Independent insurance marketing organisation Adding 1 has broadened its insurer partnership base, after more than three years' working exclusively with Chartis, AIG's rebranded property and casualty business
Third year on the trot: Insurance Race Day returns
The Insurance Race Day, an exclusive event to be held at Kempton Park racecourse on 20 April 2010, is back by popular demand for a third year running
Insurance fails to instill trust
The insurance sector has trailed third from bottom in a survey revealing what the 'well-informed' members of the UK public trust in business
Zurich forges ahead with bold hikes in personal motor rates
Zurich's decision to implement blanket rate increases on its private motor book has exposed the diversity in strategy among the leading composite insurers in this arena
QBE takes to the road to rally property interest
QBE is to make a renewed effort to win broker business through a nationwide road show as it develops its strategy to become a top five property insurer
Santander urges mortgage brokers to tap into insurance
Bank Santander, through its brand Abbey for Intermediaries, has encouraged mortgage brokers to "exploit" the general insurance market, cutting premium levels in the home insurance sector in order to secure market share
Primary General merger sees departure of Taylor
Simon Taylor, sales and marketing director at Primary General, is to leave the company ahead of the merger with Longhawk
O2 sets its sights on travel insurance market
Telecoms company O2, in partnership with Mondial Assistance, is poised to expand into the travel insurance sector
Motor hikes smash index
Car insurance premiums have risen by a record amount, according to the latest AA British Insurance Premium Index
Jackson review deals blow to legal expenses
The proposals contained in Lord Justice Jackson's Review of Civil Litigation Costs could, if implemented, revolutionise the legal expenses market and have a devastating impact on the after-the-event (ATE) market
Consumer bill heralds industry boost
A proposed change in legislation to protect consumers could be good news for the public, insurers and brokers, writes Emmanuel Kenning
Startups: Plotting the first move
There are many reasons for brokers to start their own businesses, from wanting to escape the confines of a consolidator, suffering redundancy or having the vision to create smart, independent new firms who provide superb service for their clients, writes…