Products
SME proves lucrative for Westinsure
Westinsure, the self-proclaimed alliance of independent community-based insurance brokers, has created a range of SME deals for its members that currently transact more the £100m of commercial business.
Products: Markerstudy unveils plans for £100m spending spree
As a result of its push into the commercial intermediary arena, Markerstudy is preparing to roll out six new products by the end of summer. The group revealed that its purchase of Blagrove Insurance Brokers was the first purchase in a £100m acquisition…
How to… Unlock the potential of health cash plans
In a nutshell: The story of 2011 is proving to be one of fierce cuts, high inflation, low bank lending and uncertain interest rates. Commercial clients need to retain their employees so they can ride out the storm, but the chances of offering them an…
Products: Launches show sea change for insurers
Two insurers took the industry by surprise by launching products in markets they had previously shied away from.
Review: Protection goes on tour
This product has been reviewed by brokers and rated from one to five stars, based on the policy’s key benefits. * = Poor ** = Average *** = Good **** = Very good ***** = Excellent
Products: Providers unveil a raft of online offerings at Biba conference
Providers clearly saw Biba 2011 as an opportunity to court brokers with their new online offerings as Jubilee, Aviva, Ecclesiastical and Catlin all launched technology products.
Products: Biba health plan draws fire from health specialists
A new private medical insurance scheme for general insurance brokers set up by the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (Biba) has raised the hackles of specialists operating in this arena.
Review: One-stop-shop for commercial
This product has been reviewed by brokers and rated from one to five stars, based on the policy’s key benefits. * = Poor ** = Average *** = Good **** = Very good ***** = Excellent
Products: Self-build scheme goes online
Broker Atkinson Smith and Brit Insurance have launched an online quote and buy system as part of their self-build (new build) and home extension/conversion scheme.
Product's roundup: Insurers save the best for Biba 2011
The last month has been all about Biba 2011 so, unsurprisingly, it dominates the content of the schemes and products pages. The most contentious aspect of the coverage however, comes from a scheme the trade body launched for non-PMI brokers. Its aim to…
Products: Markel UK goes direct with offering to ‘unattractive’ low-premium clients
Markel UK, the retail division of Markel International, has launched a direct commercial offering. Markel Direct will be targeted at low-premium clients, many of which, according to Markel, share the characteristics of personal lines business therefore…
Products: KWW launches liability suite
Lloyd’s broker Kite Warren & Wilson (KWW) has targeted the high end SME asset manager and Lloyd’s managing agent market with a suite of new liability products.
Products: Biba in deal to provide brokers with access to export insurance scheme
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (Biba) has come to an agreement with the government’s Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD) to provide general insurance brokers with access to the ECGD export insurance scheme for their clients.
Products: Allianz and PolicyBee take PI to the regions
Professional indemnity (PI) has taken to the regions as Allianz Commercial rolls out its offering beyond the London market and a PI broker launches in Suffolk.
Products roundup: Finding a niche and bucking the trend
There is an interesting irony in Groupama’s launch of its Exclusively product range. It was given this name, after much painstaking deliberation we are told, as each offering focuses specifically on a trade, thus creating bespoke coverage for it.
Products: How to… make affinity changes work
If you get your affinity programme wrong, you create a customer who feels alienated and a return on investment that falls way below expectations. To work there has to be an open and honest dialogue.
Groupama targets niche trade with Exclusively
As part of the launch of its Exclusively range, Groupama is to broaden its distribution base by giving the open market access to certain scheme areas.
Review: a buy-to-let policy that offers something different
This product has been reviewed by brokers and rated from one to five stars, based on the policy’s key benefits.
Review: comprehensive combined machinery and equipment cover
This product has been reviewed by brokers and rated from one to five stars, based on the policy’s key benefits.
Reviews by Chris Howell
Chris Howell is MD of Seaway Insurance.
Reviews by the Bluefin team
This team has been tasked with reviewing unique and specialist areas.
Products/schemes: How to… unlock the profit in add-ons
Many industries rely upon ancillary income to generate their profit. Low cost airlines, unable to deliver margin from their core products, instead make their money on hotels, hire cars, or travel insurance. In the motor trade, new car sales deliver low…
Products: Lord rises to security challenge
Conservative peer Lord Sheikh’s new broker and underwriting agent Macmillan Sheikh has launched its first scheme for the security industry.
Products: WeatherBrokers in deal with Kettley
WeatherBrokers.com has teamed up with ex-BBC presenter John Kettley to launch an insurance scheme designed to compensate companies and institutions when the ‘wrong’ kind of weather hits.