News
FirstAssist issues legal costs warning to SMEs
Small businesses, a core part of many brokers’ portfolios, continue to ignore the risk of costly legal action even though defending an average case could potentially put them out of business, according to research by FirstAssist Legal Protection.
Kwik-Fit announces senior appointment
Kwik-Fit Financial Services has appointed Kieran Gilmurray as its new director of finance.
Westinsure eyes SME market
Westinsure is set to launch a range of products to tackle the SME market.
APC revamps hoteliers and guest house owners policy ahead of Olympic tourist surge
APC has announced the re-launch of its hotel and guest house product with area rating designed to help brokers service UK proprietors looking to take advantage of the expected nationwide surge in tourist numbers resulting from the Olympics.
Kane Group completes HSBC purchase
The Kane Group has completed the acquisition of the insurance management operations of HSBC.
Sign up now for the 2011 Prince's Trust Insurance Cup
With the 2010/11 football season over, whether your team finished top, rock bottom or stuck in mid-table obscurity, it’s time to start looking forward to The Prince's Trust Insurance Cup.
Update: Axa Commercial Lines unveils regional branch managers
Axa Commercial has confirmed a series of appointments across its branch network following its declared strategy of empowering local underwriters to service insurance brokers.
HMRC takes Lloyd's broker Swinglehurst to court
International insurance and reinsurance broker Swinglehurst is facing a High Court winding-up petition Insurance Age has learnt.
Groupama chief slams legal profession over referral fees
The chief executive of Groupama Insurances has blasted the “lobbying power” of the legal profession in preventing the introduction of an outright ban on the use of referral fees.
More judicial reviews but no certainty of success, says RPC
There will be more judicial reviews following the decision by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) to increase the top limit of awards by the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) however recent events mean the regulators will be “emboldened” in defending…
Wave of new regulation tops insurance sector risks in poll
The greatest risk facing the insurance industry is the raft of new regulations being introduced simultaneously at international and local levels, according to a new survey.
Judicial reviews will rise after FOS award change, warns law firm
The announcement by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) that the Financial Ombudsman Service's (FOS) maximum binding award is to be increased to £150,000 will lead to an increase in judicial reviews according to lawyers at Browne Jacobson.
Industry reacts to referral fee report
Lawyers and insurers have slammed the recommendation by the Legal Services Board (LSB) to retain referral fees in the personal injury marketplace.
Four new offices for Coversure
Coversure has launched four new franchises in Walsall, Hornchurch near Romford, Rugby and Rusholme near Manchester.
No ban for referral fees, says LSB
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has recommended that referral fees be allowed to continue but with strengthened transparency obligations to manage their impact and prevent abuses.
FSA confirms new consumer complaint handling rules and ups FOS award limit to £150,000
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has confirmed new complaints handling rules as part of a package of measures designed to drive up standards within the industry.
SSP unveils new solutions following Sector closure
SSP has announced the latest releases of its insurer, managing general agent (MGA) and broker solutions following an £8m development programme during the last 18 months.
Insurance Age blog: Insurance isn't the problem says Galbraith
In a special guest blog, chief executive of the British Insurance Brokers' Association, Eric Galbraith, argues that the industry needs to work together to improve public perception.
Quinn losses reached €888m in 2009
Quinn Insurance lost €644m (£557m) in 2009, it has been revealed taking the overall group’s losses for the year to €888m.
Chartered: A Broker's view: Cowens Survival Capability
In the third of a final part of this series, Post and Insurance Age editor-in-chief Jonathan Swift talks to Grant Scott, an associate director, Cowens Survival Capability about the benefits for a broker in being chartered.
JLT targets landlords with online offering
JLT Specialty (JLT) has launched an online quote and bind facility for property owners' risks aimed primarily at the broker sector.
Pruhealth slams "unsustainable" commission levels and unveils new model
PruHealth has adopted what it believes to be a more sustainable and transparent commission model.
Insolvency rate improves for SMEs
The health of the UK’s micro and small business community improved in April, according to Experian’s latest Insolvency Index.
Willis claims industry first with grey fleet scheme
Willis has launched a pay-as-you-go insurance scheme to address issues arising from allowing staff to drive their own cars on business - the so-called grey fleet.