News
Brokers increasingly optimistic, survey shows
The latest CBI/PwC Financial Services Survey has found that in the three months to December optimism in the insurance broking sector rose at its fastest rate in a year with 48% more firms positive than negative about the outlook.
1 Answer becomes first network to sign up to Powerplace
Personal lines network, 1 Answer, has pushed into the commercial arena by joining Powerplace.
Ant Gould set to take up new role at the CII
Insurance Age group editor in chief Ant Gould is set to take up the role of director of faculties at the Chartered Insurance Institute from 21 March.
Insurance Age blog: It's a numbers game really
If you've ever been lucky enough to pick up a copy of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time you may already be aware of the door conundrum, generally known as the Monty Hall Problem.
Ageas responds to retail growth with senior restructure
Ageas UK has announced key appointments to support the growth of its retail operations reporting into retail managing director Andy Watson.
Groupama appoints IFB analyst as counter fraud investigator
Groupama Insurances has appointed Marc Yeates in the role of counter fraud claims advisor.
UK General reveals plans to grow travel market share
UK General, has appointed Chris Chadwick to head up its travel underwriting team as it seeks to grow its market share in the UK travel insurance market.
FSA fines and bans broker for part in fraud scheme
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has fined an intermediary £25,000 and banned him from working in regulated financial services for his part in a scheme that defrauded insurers of more than £2m.
Oamps grows UK presence with credit team
Oamps Special Risks has launched a new credit insurance division in the UK, Oamps Credit.
New general insurance technology offering for intermediaries launched
Founding directors, Gregg Taylor and Neil Harkin, have launched What-Insure, a general insurance trading platform for intermediaries.
Number of fraudulent household insurance claims eclipsing motor, warns ABI
Home insurance is now the number one target for insurance fraudsters according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI).
Cullum bags CBE for business and charity work
Towergate Partnership founder and chairman Peter Cullum has been recognised as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's New Year Honours List.
Industry voices worries over VAT rise
Following the rise in the rate of Value Added Tax (VAT) and insurance premium tax (IPT) Peter Hayman, director at travel insurance specialist P J Hayman, has called for the standardisation of tax across all forms of insurance.
Simply Business aims to extend SME reach with new hire
Online insurance broker Simply Business has hired Underwired Amaze to develop an electronic customer relationship marketing programme.
Towergate loses Blanc to Axa commercial lines
Axa has appointed Amanda Blanc as chief executive of its commercial lines business, which includes broker Bluefin.
Giles makes record buy despite fall in results
Giles has made the largest acquisition in its history despite experiencing a drop in turnover and earnings for 2010.
PMI insurers accused of broker bullying to protect claims data
Private medical insurers (PMI) have been accused of threatening to cut off brokers that “rock the boat” over the issue of claims data transparency.
Fusion and NFU Mutual go against grain with jobs drive
Insurance recruitment drives at Fusion and NFU Mutual have bucked the trend of rising unemployment in the wider economy.
Fears trade bodies are on IMD2 collision course
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) and the British Insurance Brokers' Association (Biba) could be on a collision course over the revised Insurance Mediation Directive (IMD2).
CBI calls for greater female presence in boardrooms
All UK listed companies should have to set targets for the number of women in their boardrooms, according to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).
Ex-Giles duo join forces to launch Amicus
Two former Giles employees have launched a new brokerage, Amicus Insurance Solutions, with the aim of hitting £1m commission by the end of 2013.
Higos reveals three-year plan of acquisition and organic growth
Higos Insurance Services has embarked upon an ambitious growth plan that could see it more than double in size over the next three years.
Moorhouse online arm set to write £50m GWP
Welsh broker Moorhouse's online commercial arm Constructaquote is aiming to write £50m of gross written premium (GWP) by the end of 2013.
Towergate: SME provision deal 'just the beginning'
Towergate Insurance has claimed its deal with Comparethemarket.com to provide insurance to small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) customers is "just the beginning" of its online SME strategy.