Personal
Market moves: The shareholder spring
Without a doubt the biggest management change last month, indeed of the year so far, was that of former Aviva group CEO Andrew Moss who fell on his sword following a shareholder revolt over executive pay. There is no word as to what he will be doing next…
The hunt is on
Speculation is rife over who Aviva will install as its new CEO
Products: Westfield’s corporate health product will cover 1,300 surgical procedures
Westfield Health has launched a new corporate health insurance product providing private cover for non-urgent surgical procedures.
Ageas looks to Groupama for new household underwriting chief
Ageas has appointed Groupama’s head of household as its new head of household underwriting.
Biba 2012: Jelf recuits Parker for HNW/MNW push
In a move aimed at boosting its mid and high net worth proposition, Jelf Insurance Brokers has appointed Tony Parker as business development director - private clients.
Biba 2012: Higos employee named young broker of the year
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has named Caroline Webster of Higos Insurance Services as its national Young Broker of the Year, and Dennis Veingard of Premiercare Insurance Brokers (UK) Ltd as winner of the Francis Perkins Award.
Health and Safety: Inspectors go hi-tech for a better service
Technology is transforming plant and equipment inspections and creating substantial improvements in the quality, speed and effectiveness of the inspections carried out and the inspectors that undertake them.
Health and Safety: All about the money
Facing a huge cut in its budget, the Health and Safety Executive is preparing to claw back the shortfall. But plans to charge fees for interventions have met with a mixed response.
Reportage: Lighting up the regions
Insurers are moving underwriting decisions to regional centres, but will this really benefit brokers and is the new model sustainable? Edward Murray finds out
Products roundup: Telematics take up gains pace
There were a wide range of products launched in the last month, with numerous markets catered for, from equine risks to vacant commercial properties.
Products: Groupama signs up for Brightside Group’s motorbike scheme
Groupama has signed two new scheme deals in as many weeks; one covering motorbike risks and the other non-standard motor.
Products: Slew of telematics-based policies released
There has been a recent hike in telematics activity, with several black-box products released into the market last month.
Personal injury exposures could lead to insurer downgrades
“This will have a tremendous financial impact – just how tremendous and when it will impact is uncertain” David Williams, Axa
Industry frets over motor premium drop
Survey reveals drop in premiums, which may be good news for drivers but brokers are not so sure
Market moves: The moves merry-go-round
The insurance recruitment gene pool has long required dilution but it still seems to be the same names popping up going to new jobs at new companies. Which wouldn’t be so bad if so many of them didn’t end up going back to the company they originally left…
Products: Income protection products still relevant, L&G says
Legal & General (L&G) has launched Lifestyle Cover, a new short-term income protection product.
Products: Mondial product to help patient recovery at home
Mondial Assistance UK has created a new homecare product, Insured Personal Care at Home, and appointed Phil Carr as head of health services to lead its launch.
Sentiment Survey Spring 2012
The latest Sentiment Survey covers market hardening expectations, increasing broker engagement with social media and the priorities for Biba, all according to brokers
Products: Paymentshield updates its online system
Paymentshield has announced an investment of over £2m in its Inertia Online System, and an overhaul of its insurer panel, in a bid to enhance the products and services it offers to brokers.
Zurich axes nearly 350 jobs as it outsources personal lines operation to brokers
Zurich is to shed nearly 350 jobs as part of a personal lines shake-up that will see it outsource its personal lines operations to a series of brokers.
Products roundup: Products aimed at gamut of professions
The fixation the market has on liability products and all things professional continues this month with several such products hitting the market and a new landowners’ liability product assessed by a stalwart of our broker product review panel, Bluefin’s…
Power hour: Where there’s a claim...
Successfully handling claims means picking the right ones to defend and getting to grips with risk managment, reports Emmanuel Kenning
Market moves: Ready for regime change
It was all about big names and big moves last month. The Financial Services Authority (FSA) lost two big players as it approaches the end of its reign as regulator.
Feeling lucky?
The continuing soft commercial market could be a major threat to the industry, unless lady luck intervenes again, says Tony Cornell