Allianz
Reportage - SME: a blossoming romance
The SME love affair has been flourishing for a while, but what does the term actually mean? With nearly all UK enterprises falling into this category, Liz McMahon explores the sector's diverse needs.
Market moves: Recruitment drive shows positive outlook
The actions of the insurance industry seem to indicate it is refreshingly optimistic about the prospects for UK plc. Despite the phrase 'double-dip' re-entering the popular consciousness, insurance has stormed ahead with determination to grow its way to…
Allianz sees profits slide but maintains healthy underwriting result
Allianz has reported a £45m drop in operating profit to £158.5m (£203.7m: 2009) and a 3% deterioration in combined ratio despite a near £76m uplift in gross written premiums (GWP) for 2010.
Home and Legacy now has platform to grow further, says MD
Home & Legacy has experienced a major increase in sales across its product portfolio, demonstrating a 26% year-on-year growth.
Bent case could force drivers to shop around for credit hire
A case involving footballer Darren Bent could impact UK car drivers who accept a replacement vehicle following a crash, Allianz has warned.
Insurance Age blog: Sports people as biscuits, insurers as presenters
If you have never listened to Fighting Talk (Radio 5, Saturday 11am) then you are missing a trick. One of the staple jokes is ‘sports people as biscuits’ where Seb Coe becomes a Viennese Whirl, or Gareth Southgate is likened to a digestive, a good honest…
NIG defends “Guarantee to Beat” pricing strategy
NIG is promising brokers it will beat premiums by up to 5% on business held or quoted with 15 major insurance companies in the UK market.
Allianz creates new sales and partnerships role in Speciality Retail
Allianz Retail has recruited Simon Masding as head of sales and partnerships for its Speciality Retail division.
Post Intelligence Benchmarking: How do insurers measure up in the high net worth market
High net worth clients demand a high standard of service, as do their brokers, but which insurers are delivering it? Peter Joy unveils the answer.
Reportage - engineering: Keeping things ticking over
With news of cutbacks to the HSE budget, there are fears the engineering inspection sector will suffer. Neil Clutterbuck advises how brokers can ensure their clients' equipment meets UK standards and help reduce risk.
Government awaits LSB report ahead of referral fee decision
The uncertainty around the future of referral fees has persisted despite recent legal judgements indicating that Lord Justice Jackson's recommendations will be adopted.
Reportage - Commercial property: Businesses under the weather
Louise Phillips examines the risks facing commercial property when it comes to weather and how brokers should advise their clients to prepare for the worst and put in place measures to limit damage.
Zurich and joint Anglo-Liberty bid leading race for Quinn
Reports in the Irish press have indicated that there are two front runners in the bidding process for Quinn Insurance. The differing articles named Zurich and a joint Anglo Irish Bank and Liberty Mutual bid as leading the way. Previously, Travelers and…
News review: December
A brief round-up of December's news.
Brit expands commercial motor team
Brit Insurance has appointed Gerry Ross as underwriter, commercial motor.
Survey shows half of brokers unaware of CIE regulations
Allianz Commercial has found that almost 50% of brokers have no knowledge of the new Continuous Insurance Enforcement regulations, which are due to come into force early in 2011.
Reportage - CII training: The value of training
The CII has an enviable reputation for promoting professionalism in the industry, however there is a sentiment in some parts of the market that it is more concerned with making money. Louise Phillips weighs up the true value of its training structure.
Bluefin's Elite in run-off to allow greater Platinum focus
Bluefin has announced it is putting its Elite underwriting facility for small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) business into run-off in favour of expanding its existing Platinum product range.
News review: November 2010
IAG UK-owned broker Barnett & Barnett almost doubled its size to £50m gross written premium, with a move for a controlling stake in Bromley-based commercial and personal lines specialist NBJ.
E-commerce: Powerplace completes '3 As' with Axa addition
Powerplace has secured what it described as the "3 As" after announcing Axa's intention to join its panel of insurers.
Regional review: Way out west
An area that sometimes falls off the radar, Louise Meeson surveys brokers and insurers in Wales and the South West to discover many have been shielded from the worst of the economic crisis.
Allianz responds to calls for South-west presence
Allianz has responded to regional broker demand by launching a mobile underwriting team in the South West.
2010 review: A year of living cautiously
The economy grew, rival political parties unexpectedly started working together and personal lines rates even hardened, although plenty of surprises and setbacks meant that 2010 was far from plain sailing, writes Andrew Tjaardstra.