News
Treasury aims to tackle aloof nature and expense of regulator
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) is too expensive, aloof and bureaucratic and does not protect consumers from regulatory failure.
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.
Aon swoops for Willis COO
Aon Risk Solutions, the global risk management business of Aon Corporation, has appointed Chris Lee-Smith as chief operating officer of its UK retail business.
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.
Biba commits to regulatory focus for 2012
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (Biba) has revealed that its main focus for 2012 will be achieving appropriate, proportionate and cost effective regulation for its members.
Industry laments lack of referral fee bite in TSC report
The Transport Select Committee’s follow up report into the cost of motor insurance has been widely welcomed by the insurance industry but there is frustration that proposed measures to tackle referral fees do not go far enough.
Select Committee report focuses on whiplash claims and referral fees
The Transport Select Committee has called for the bar to receiving compensation for whiplash to be raised and for the receipt of referral fees to be banned across the board.
Capita appoints new chief of service provision from FSA
Capita Commercial Insurance Services has appointed Greg Carter as director of client services, reporting to Brent Escott, head of the general insurance division.
Bartlett adds Lloyd’s offering
Bartlett & Company has registered as a Lloyd’s broker in a move which it believes will open new markets for business.
Allianz stakes claim for industry first with broker scholarship scheme
Allianz Commercial has launched a new scholarship programme to support staff at chartered brokers in achieving their Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) Diploma in Insurance.
Colosso’s exit from Gallagher confirmed
Arthur J Gallagher International has confirmed that Adrian Colosso will not return to the role of chief executive of UK retail for the company, sister title PostOnline has revealed.
Momentum targets 25 new brokers in 2012
Momentum has confirmed it signed up 23 appointed representatives (AR) in its first full year of trading and has targeted another 25 broking businesses in 2012.
Sean Quinn could face 12 year business ban in Republic
Sean Quinn’s bankruptcy declaration has been rejected by the High Court in Belfast following a challenge by the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation (IBRC), formerly Anglo Irish Bank.
New chief for Lifestyle Services Group
Lifestyle Services Group has appointed former Combined Insurance chief, Chris Harrison, as its new CEO.
Aspen achieves chartered status
Aspen Risk Management has been awarded corporate Chartered Insurers status by the Chartered Insurance Institute.
Household market predicted to strengthen
Home insurance premiums could rise by up to 10% in 2012 according to Deloitte.
Hoban calls on insurance industry to face long term challenges
Mark Hoban MP has warned that the insurance industry must be careful to avoid becoming “absorbed by the short term challenges” it faces and be more aware of the long term difficulties.
Elite in solicitors’ PI U-turn
Elite Insurance has confirmed that it will re-enter the solicitors’ professional indemnity (PI) insurance market in 2012.