Insurer
Focus - Management Structures: Building a board
Without a great team in the boardroom, any broker, regardless of size, is missing a trick that can pay long-term dividends for their business, writes David Waller.
News round-up: Business continuity
According to research from the Business Continuity Institute on behalf of the Chartered Insurance Institute, insurance professionals need a more consistent message when promoting the benefits of business continuity plans.
News round-up: Insurers
Brit has formally accepted an offer of £888m from Apollo Management and CVC Capital Partners. The deal if agreed by shareholders is £10.75 for each share plus a further 25p if targets are met.
Broking Success - Stonebridge Corporate: Building fast
Andrew Tjaardstra meets two young brokers aiming to make waves in their local market by growing their business fivefold.
One in four pay off other driver after crash
A quarter of drivers have avoided using their motor insurance by giving money to a driver they have crashed into to fix the damage, according to website Myvouchercodes.co.uk
Deloitte says industry must address issue of brokers selling motor at a loss
Motor insurers need to increase their premiums while maintaining their customer base in order to return to profitability, according to Deloitte.
Majority of brokers say clients unwilling to pay more for environmental products
Nearly half (49.6%) of brokers believe there is a market for insurance products incorporating environmental elements, but only a minority believe customers would be willing to pay a higher premium for them, according to research by Ecclesiastical.
Aviva's Q3 UK GI premium soars 12%
In its UK general insurance business, Aviva has reported a 12% rise in net written premiums to £1.05bn in Q3, compared to £927m in the same period last year.
E-commerce: Solvency II to make brokers more accountable for data
Brokers with delegated authority may face increasing pressure from insurers to account for the whereabouts of data as the industry prepares to meet Solvency II regulations.
Quinn case sheds light on periods of limitation
A recent High Court ruling in favour of Quinn Insurance has clarified the law regarding the timeframe for submitting claims where an insurer has denied liability, according to law firm Browne Jacobson.
E-commerce: Insurers urged to make MTA and renewal options available online
Brokers have called for insurers to include mid-term adjustment (MTA) and renewal facilities as part of their online small commercial offerings.
Product launch: Axa Art pledges speedy service
High-net-worth insurer Axa Art Insurance has committed itself to providing a maximum 24-hour turnaround time when it comes to quoting on new broker business, upon receiving all the necessary information.
Plea for MoJ to get tough on lawyers' PI abuse
Allianz has called for the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) to crack down on claimant lawyers it claims have abused the new personal injury claims system.
Viewpoint: Time to put things right
With poor motor results continuously dismissed as being due to external factors, David Vine asks why insurers choose to ignore the evidence that would enable accurate pricing and, in turn, profit.
ECJ deliberates use of gender in risk assessment
Concerns have been raised that the cost and availability of insurance could be threatened if an opinion by the Advocate General on gender-based pricing is upheld by the European Court of Justice (ECJ).
MGAA to clear 'mist of confusion' surrounding MGAs
The Managing General Agents' Association (MGAA) has claimed it will establish a clear differentiation between prospective members and the broking community as it gears up for launch this month.
Poor insurer service feeds existence of MGAs
Consistently poor insurer service levels have allowed managing general agents (MGAs) to cement their place in the market, according to one of the latest entrants to the sector.
Slow insurer processing could mean a backlog of IPT charges
Brokers could be left to foot the bill if insurers choose to apply the Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) increase from the date it hits their books, according to the British Insurance Brokers' Association (Biba).
Health news: Online advice portal to complement launch of EFF
Exeter Friendly has revealed it will shortly go live with an online portal for brokers and advisers following the launch of a new insurance brand.
Select commission uplifts risk breaking new bribery laws
Insurers offering brokers increased commission rates for new business must ensure they have adequate procedures in place or they could risk breaching the Bribery Act 2010, according to legal experts.
News review: October
The founder and chairman of direct insurer Esure, Peter Wood, revealed that 2014 would be the earliest date that the company would launch an initial public offering.
LV Broker sets sights high on £1bn worth of business in first decade
LV Broker has revealed it is aiming to write £1bn worth of business by 2015, less than 10 years after its launch.
Allianz sharpens regional focus with Newcastle plans
Allianz Commercial has announced its intention to expand its regional branch network with the opening of a new office in Newcastle.
Reportage - High net worth: Because they're worth it
HNW was once the preserve of specialist brokers and insurers but there has recently been an increase in this type of business being transacted online. Louise Meeson asks if HNW clients and their prized possessions can really be taken care of without…