Personal
Motor insurers' excuses for poor results rejected
Insurer claims that increases in bodily injury costs are to blame for poor performance in the private motor market may be misleading, according to industry experts.
Arc wins Aviva contract
Arc Legal Assistance has been appointed by Aviva as provider of its household and travel legal expenses to a significant proportion of its personal lines customers.
The Policy Shop creates property division
Coventry-based broker The Policy Shop has launched a new property division which will lead to the creation of up to 40 new jobs over the next 12 months.
LV reaps benefits of below average motor rate increases
LV has increased motor rates by 25% but its general insurance managing director John O'Roarke said that it has still been possible to write profitable business.
Axa launches online portal for personal lines brokers
Axa Insurance has launched an online portal for independent personal lines brokers called PartnerSpace, which provides a forum designed to allow intermediaries to discuss business issues and ideas with the insurer and their peers using social media…
Fraud blamed for record motor premium rise
Fraud is pushing car insurance premiums up faster than ever, according to AA Insurance.
Gadget insurance comparison service launched
Aggregator Moneymaxim.co.uk has announced the launch of what it claims is the UK's first gadget insurance comparison service.
Allianz hires new household claims chief from AIG
Allianz has appointed Gary Coton as household claims operations manager.
Broking Success - Macbeth: Laser-focused on service
Emmanuel Kenning meets the managing director at Macbeth Insurance Brokers, who is aiming to blend the best service of the past with the technology of the future.
Product review: Three options to suit all homes
The products reviewed in this article by brokers are rated from one to five, based on the policy's key benefits.
Ecclesiastical reports interim losses
Ecclesiastical has announced a loss of £9.9m in the first half of 2010. The figure is in stark contrast to the same period in 2009 when the insurer made a profit of £25.7m.
RBSI announces office closure plans and job cuts
Royal Bank of Scotland Insurance is to close 14 of its offices and plans to cut staff numbers at 12 other sites.
Groupama completes claims consolidation with four senior appointments
Four appointments have been made as Groupama completes the centralisation of commercial and personal claims to its claims centre in Port Solent, Portsmouth.
Market Watch - Low carbon economy: High hopes for low carbon
Andrew Williams investigates the promises and pitfalls of offering cover across the many and varied risks in the growing green energy sector.
Brit loses distribution head Tim Grant
Brit Insurance's head of distribution Tim Grant is leaving to join Dual Corporate Risks, Insurance Age can reveal.
BCIS study reveals nearly a third of UK home insurance policies are incorrect
Homeowners may have paid the wrong premium for their buildings insurance if they insured for market value rather than rebuilding cost, according to The Building Cost Information Service (BCIS).
Allianz's half year results show GWP rise but profits drop
As part of Allianz’s half year results CEO Andrew Torrance has promised further double digit rate increases in private motor and said there was a “prospect of underwriting profit” in this area in 2011.
Groupama's broking business revenue remains flat
Combined revenues of Groupama Insurance's UK broking businesses have remained relatively flat at £33.3m during H1 2010 (H1 2009: £34.1m).
RSA half year results show premiums up 9%
RSA has announced UK net written premiums of £1.5bn in the first half of 2010, up by 9% compared with the same period of 2009. However, it added its combined operating ratio had slipped from 97.4% to 98.9% for the comparable periods as a result of severe…
Carbon Offsetting: Carbon offsetting in vogue
It is impossible to avoid emitting carbon, so paying someone else to make a carbon saving is an increasingly popular choice.
Insurance revenue grows 9% at Moneysupermarket
Moneysupermarket has reported a 9% increase in insurance revenue to £40.6m for the six months to 30 June 2010 (H1 2009: £37.1m).
Liberty Syndicates in motor market drive
Liberty Syndicates Management, a member of Liberty Mutual Group, is entering the UK and Irish motor insurance markets through the hiring of a team of specialist motor underwriters.
Defaqto finds only 21% of fully comp motor policies cover ULR
After analysing 223 comprehensive motor insurance policies, Defaqto has found insurers significantly vary in their approach to uninsured loss recovery (ULR).
Reportage: Transactional websites - what are the benefits for brokers?
By automating personal lines underwriting and providing clients with more than just a place to go window shopping, Kevin Child explains how brokers can benefit from creating fully transactional websites.