Allianz
Allianz profit up and ratio down
In its results for the year ending 2009, Allianz UK has seen a 5.2% boost in IFRS operating profit to £203.7m (2008: £193.6m)
CBG Group appoints Manchester broker to handle investor affairs
Daniel Stewart & Company has been appointed to act as joint broker working alongside CBG’s existing nominated adviser and broker, Zeus Capital.
What the Papers Say
Stories being analysed this month include: Axa's move into direct motor; use of social media in the insurance industry; Conservative plans for insurance; and the art of stonewalling the media.
News review: January
Towergate Underwriting (TU) outlined plans to grow the business through the launch of a network of regional underwriting centres. The move was a precursor to taking the model to an international market. Chief executive Clive Nathan confirmed TU's first…
Research exposes national contenders as biggest threat
Brokers have identified the large national players as posing the greatest threat to their business, according to new research
Zurich forges ahead with bold hikes in personal motor rates
Zurich's decision to implement blanket rate increases on its private motor book has exposed the diversity in strategy among the leading composite insurers in this arena
Jackson review deals blow to legal expenses
The proposals contained in Lord Justice Jackson's Review of Civil Litigation Costs could, if implemented, revolutionise the legal expenses market and have a devastating impact on the after-the-event (ATE) market
QBE raids Fusion for senior underwriter
Martin Nixon joins the insurer's Manchester office
Heath Lambert raids Axa for music specialist
John Feaver will be responsible for developing UK and European musical instrument business
Allianz enhances commercial product
Allianz Legal Online added as an automatic level of cover
Allianz highlights risk of empty construction sites
British building industry suffered its 22nd successive monthly fall in activity last month
Sterling raids Allianz for regional manager
Lee Venamore will be responsible for developing broker relations in the South East
Allianz: fraudulent claims 'stable'
Graham Gibson: Insurer to publish monthly key performance indicators
Open GI raids Allianz for insurer relations chief
Jason Potter joins Open GI as head of insurer relations
Allianz Commercial develops cross-border capability
Insurer develops solution to provide property and casualty cover for UK companies with European or global exposures
Fire costs soar
According to a new report, in the first half of 2009 insurers paid out £639m for fire damage
What makes an MGA tick?
PB asked some leading industry figures about how the managing general agent model works.
2009: stepping into the unknown
A near-catastrophic global banking collapse and the worst recession in living memory have all affected insurance broking. Andrew Tjaardstra reviews the big stories from an unprecedented year.
Tomorrow's commercial lines today
Emmanuel Kenning finds out where technology is taking the market for commercial lines insurance.
Brokers surprised by Allianz small business move
Dave Smith says consolidating small business operation makes sense
Soundbytes
New offering from Allianz aims to make SME trading simpler
Allianz launches SME trading platform
Allianz Commercial has launched a new online trading platform for its small business products.
Allianz launches new legal protection products
The insurer says the products have been developed with the needs of brokers in mind
Allianz profits up but no underwriting profit so far this year
Allianz Q3 results show a £173.3m profit but £100m of reserve releases