News
Premium Credit snapped up by credit card giant
Credit card giant MBNA Corp has acquired Epsom-based premium finance provider Premium Credit for £180m from HSBC Holdings and London-based buyout firm Electra Partners Europe.
Zurich boosts its high net worth lifestyle offering
Zurich Private Clients, the high net worth insurer, has announced the introduction of a number of lifestyle protection cover enhancements to its existing home and motor product range.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales offers guidance to brokers
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (ICAEW) has set out its interpretation of FRS 5 Application Note G "Revenue Recognition" (the application note), issued by the Accounting Standards Board in November 2003 in the context of sales…
Drivers want more than cheap motor insurance, says new survey
Bristol Business School today published new research revealing that most motor policyholders want their insurers to provide excellent customer service rather than the lowest premium prices.
Insurers warned they must respond to rise in aggravated burglary
Chubb is calling on UK insurers to provide support and protection for homeowners against the traumatic effects of aggravated burglary. The call comes with the release of the high net worth insurer's review of the impact of aggravated burglary in England…
Police start Tribune investigation
A police specialist fraud unit is investigating the collapsed insurance intermediary, Tribune Risk and Insurance Services.
Biba launches FSA compliance workshops
The British Insurance Brokers' Association (Biba) has announced a nationwide series of compliance workshops. The events have been specifically designed to guide practitioners through the Financial Services Authority (FSA) application process.
Groupama appoints senior figures to boost SME push
Groupama Insurances has announced two senior appointments in moves to further strengthen its non-motor underwriting team and to drive forward its agency and distribution strategy. Phil Bird will be joining the company from Axa as director of non-motor…
AA appoints new broker head
Clare Salmon, recently appointed managing director of AA Financial Services, has promoted Neale Phillips to head up its broking arm, AA Insurance.
FSA final rulebook: Biba's response
The British Insurance Brokers' Association said it would continue to press for satisfactory resolution to the issue of risk transfer following the publication of the Financial Services Authority final rules today.
FSA Final Conduct of Business Rules: Download the full report
The Financial Services Authority has published the final conduct of business rules for the sale of general insurance. To download a PDF of the full document simply click here .
Owen out at Zurich
Zurich has appointed a new head of its consumer general insurance business. Mark Winlow will take over as Managing Director of UK Personal Lines with immediate effect. Ian Owen, the former head, has left the company to pursue his career elsewhere.
More Th>n enters commercial market
Royal & Sun Alliance's direct arm More Th>n enters the small commercial market today with the launch of More Th>n Business.
Folgate recruits Charringtons property team for new specialty lines underwriting agency
Folgate have announced that former Charringtons director Adrian Thone and his schemes team of eight have joined Folgate’s newly formed underwriting business, Folgate Underwriting Management Specialty (FUMSL). Thone will become managing director of the…
Network Extra strikes exclusive services deal with global loss adjuster
Leading global loss adjusters GAB Robins have been appointed as the sole supplier of loss adjusting services to Camberford Law’s recently launched broker network - Network Extra.
Groupama confirms changes to S&P credit rating
Groupama Insurances has confirmed that it is confident of obtaining a strong stand-alone credit rating following the recent removal of its historic parental guarantee.
New Managing Director at NIG
RBS Insurance has announced that Charles Crawford will assume responsibility as managing director of NIG following the decision of Phil Bunker to leave in March 2004.
BIBA strengthens members services with new appointments
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (Biba), has announced two new appointments to bolster its regulation and compliance facility for brokers.
FSA warning over unauthorised commercial insurer
The Financial Services Authority has issued a consumer alert, after receiving a tip off in early December of an unauthorized insurer selling commercial policies including employers' liability.
S&P puts Groupama on negative watch
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said today that it had placed its 'A' insurer financial strength rating on Groupama Insurance on CreditWatch with negative implications, following the Jan. 12 announcement by the company's parent, France-based Groupama…
Axa to focus on intermediaries and reduce headcount in major refocus
Axa Insurance is set to stop promoting its direct brand and emphasise intermediary sales as part of a major refocus of its personal insurance business. The insurer is also planning to reduce its head count by 700 by 2006, including another tranche of…
Broker confidence hits low, claims CBI
The insurance broking sector saw a drop in profitability in the final quarter of 2003, the only financial services sector to do so according to a new report from the Confederation of British Industry.
Cox makes triple acquisition
Cox has announced the acquisitions of Eastwood Insurance Services, Southdale Insurance and BR Insurance.
Harrison Insurance Brokers reprimanded by GISC
At a meeting on 25 November 2003, the Enforcement Committee of the General Insurance Standards Council ("GISC") decided that Harrison had grossed up premium.