News
Alec Finch announces MBO and strategic developments
Following the acquisition of Alec Finch Group by the French insurance broker Verlingue and the merger of the two businesses in January 2007, a unified Anglo-French business will be formed by 1st January 2009 referred to as Project Synergy.
Markerstudy Group acquire motor specialist broker
Thamescity Insurance Brokers, the Oxford based company specialising in non standard private car business, has been acquired by Markerstudy Group. The business employing 61 staff was started in 1964 by owner Eric Ward.
Biba responds to FSA discussion paper on transparency dislcosure
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (Biba) has today formally responded to the Financial Services Authority’s (FSA) Discussion Paper DP08/2 Transparency, disclosure and conflicts of interest in the commercial insurance market.
FSA launches payment protection insurance comparison tables
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has launched free, impartial comparison tables for payment protection insurance (PPI) on its consumer website: http://www.fsa.gov.uk/tables
Moorhouse Xbroker sees first-half spike in growth
The number of brokers using Xbroker, the online comparative quotation system from broker Moorhouse Group, has increased by 27% in April.
Cunningham Lindsey adds 100 staff to service centres
Cunningham Lindsey UK has added a total of 104 staff to its two customer service centres this year - an increase of 30% - following an influx of new contracts with major insurers and large companies.
New online Risk Library for IRM members
Institute of Risk Management (IRM) members around the world now have a new online Risk Library as part of their membership benefits when they renew. IRM chief executive, Steve Fowler, said, “We are delighted to offer this unique new benefit to our…
Insurance Age weekly on-air news review
Insurance Age news editor Sarah Hills provides a run down of the major news stories from the event - watch it now
Kennedys and Davies Lavery to merge
Insurance law specialists Kennedys and Davies Lavery have merged.
QBE positions casualty division for future growth
Following the creation of its integrated Casualty division in May 2007, QBE announces senior changes designed to underpin the next phase of the division’s development.
Gocompare comment on first mobile car insurance quote service
Insurance comparison site Gocompare.com has commented on the news that Swiftcover has become the first company to provide car insurance quotes through a mobile phone internet connection.
Jelf strengthens Clark Roxburgh team following acquistion
The Jelf Group, the leading healthcare, employee benefits, wealth management and financial services consultancy, has appointed Mark Nevitt as director to manage the integration of newly acquired Clarke Roxburgh into the Group. Formerly of Lockton, Mark…
Defaqto comments on ABI’s calls for more flood prevention
Defaqto’s Brian Brown, head of insight, commented on the ABI’s calls to reduce flooding. “It is no surprise that the widespread flooding of summer 2007 is having an impact on the home insurance market," he said.
Consumers to reduce insurance cover as credit crunch hits home says Deloitte
Retailers and restaurants may not be the only ones to feel the effects of reduced household spending following the credit crunch. Research by YouGov for Deloitte, the business advisory firm, has found that 26% of consumers who buy insurance from a price…
Insurers could become tougher on claims to help margins in soft market, says Aon
John Bell, head of claims for Aon Risk Services, speaks out about trends in insurer claims handling and in support of Airmic’s agreement to reduce insurers’ use of reservation of rights.
Power of the collective leads to further arrests say IFB
As a result of the joint IFB/Bedfordshire Police operation code named ‘Exhort’ and dawn raids in November 2006 leading to 10 arrests, continued investigations supported by the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) have since led to a further thirty arrests.
ABC Insurance opens Leeds office
ABC Insurance, part of the LV= Group, has further expanded its branch network by opening a new regional office in Leeds. Based on Wellington Place in the business district of Leeds, the branch will underwrite commercial combined insurance for brokers…
Insurance premiums in conditional fee cases could double, says law firm
Insurance companies should brace themselves for higher costs associated with no win, no fee cases following the recent decision of the Court of Appeal in Carver v BAA (20/04/2008), according to insurance specialists at law firm Browne Jacobson.
Heath Lambert Consulting launches new online annuity quotation service
Although consumers have the right to ‘shop around’ to find the best annuity provider to pay their pension income, only one in three investors actually do this.
FSA fines stockbroking firm for weak data security controls
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has fined Merchant Securities Group (Merchant Securities) for not adequately protecting its customers from the risk of identity fraud. This is the first time the FSA has fined a stockbroking firm for weak data…
One year on from last year’s floods and homeowners need to be prepared
One year on from the floods that devastated many parts of the country, Sir Michael Pitt has highlighted the need for homeowners to take responsibility for their homes and protect their families from flood risk. Following the events which saw 44,600 homes…
New insurance business selects SSP to support future growth
SSP has signed a five year agreement with a new insurance business, Synergy Insurance Services (Synergy), to provide its core insurance IT solution to support the next phase of growth for its ground-breaking insurance product, Synergy MicroCaptiveTM.
Proposed disposal of Culver Insurance Brokers
Protectagroup Acquistions, a subsidiary of Cullum Capital Ventures, has acquired the retail insurance broking subsidiary, Culver Insurance Brokers.