Personal
Direct Line customers in line for £30m refund as insurer reviews past pricing in regulatory first
Direct Line has agreed to a voluntary review of previous home and motor insurance pricing having charged some customers more for their renewal than they would have done if they were a new customer, the Financial Conduct Authority has confirmed.
Ageas posts 25% growth from ongoing UK business
Personal lines broker-focused Ageas grew its ongoing UK business by 25% in the first half of the year to €651m (£558m).
Turnover tops £10m at Premium Choice as profits surge in 2022
Wolverhampton-based broker Premium Choice has posted 6.5% growth in turnover for 2022 to £10.03m and rising profits, with a forecast of a further boost in 2023.
Kingfisher snaps up Shepherd Compello motorsport book
Kingfisher Insurance has bought the motorsport book of Lloyd’s broker Shepherd Compello.
Aston Lark buys Curtis Marine
Howden-owned Aston Lark has bought Plymouth-based marine insurance broker, Curtis Marine.
Biba, ABI and government renew age signposting insurance agreement as enquiries top one million
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has confirmed the renewal of the signposting agreement with the government and the Association of British Insurers to help older people find car or travel cover.
Insurance scams totalling £1.1bn detected in 2022
The value of the average insurance fraud case rose by 20% to £15,000 in 2022, according to the Association of British Insurers.
Motor broker Verex Insurance Services enters into administration
Car Care Plan has bought the assets of both Verex Insurance Services and its appointed representative Verex Assistance.
Motor insurance prices at record high – ABI
The average premium paid for private comprehensive motor insurance in the second quarter of this year was £511, according to the Association of British Insurers, the highest figure since it started collecting the data in 2012.
Allianz commits to investing in local structure to support brokers
“The strength of the Allianz commercial business in the UK is without doubt our local, regional capability in those markets and the ability to deliver,” Allianz Holdings CEO Colm Holmes told Insurance Age.
Profits drop at Allianz Holdings in first half 2023 as GWP tops £2bn
Operating profit fell 5.5% at Allianz Holdings in the first six months of the year to £112.8m as the combined operating ratio deteriorated to 96.6% from 96.0% in the same period of 2022.
Tradex capacity growing to £450m after Pollen Street deal
As part of the Pollen Street Capital acquisition, Tradex’s capacity is growing from around £100m of gross written premium to £450m, Markerstudy group chief underwriting officer Gary Humphreys told Insurance Age.
Hiscox grows UK commercial book as retail division COR improves
Hiscox has reported 4% growth in the UK for the first half of 2023.
Ex-Ardonagh and Gallagher leader Mark Mugge moves from Lucida to Optio
Mark Mugge has left motor specialist broker Lucida Group to be chief financial officer of managing general agent Optio Group.
‘Disappointing’ – brokers react to Zurich personal lines broker exit plans
Brokers have expressed disappointment at Zurich’s plans to exit personal lines motor and home on broker panels.
Rokstone targeting £100m GWP with new A&H division
Rokstone has launched an accident and health division and recruited Darren Delande to lead it.
RSA slips to half-year loss
RSA Insurance Group has reported a £9m post-tax loss for the first half of 2023, slipping into the red after a profit of £192m in the same period last year.
AA Insurance Services switches to CDL from inhouse legacy system
AA Insurance Services has gone live on CDL Strata, kicking of a phased programme to migrate about two million car and home policies, Insurance Age can reveal.
GRP enters pet market as it bolsters digital broker Insync with deal
Global Risk Partners has moved into the pet insurance market buying Petsmedicover, trading as VetsMediCover.
What next for Mark Wilson after Abacai exit?
Despite his departure from insurtech Abacai, Mark Wilson has talked previously about the need to disrupt the insurance status quo going back to his days as group CEO of Aviva. Based on the assumption this exit is just a blip in that mission, Jonathan…
Dayinsure’s Barry Bown made Abacai group CEO after Wilson exit and job cuts
Barry Bown, boss of Abacai Technologies owned-Dayinsure, was promoted to group CEO after the departure of his predecessor Mark Wilson, Insurance Age can reveal.
Abacai CEO Mark Wilson resigns as director as DLG/M&A speculation ramps up
A trio of co-founders at private equity-backed insurtech Abacai Technologies, including former Aviva Group CEO Mark Wilson, have resigned as directors, Insurance Age can reveal.
Gallagher's organic growth hits 11%
Gallagher has posted 11% organic growth for the second quarter of 2023 in its UK & Ireland retail division.
Somerset Bridge Group turnover flat but losses narrow in 2022
Operating profit from Somerset Bridge Group’s broking arm, which includes GoSkippy and Vavista, fell in 2022 by 18% to £2.7m.