Motor
Axa UK delivers significant growth in commercial lines and household
Axa's general insurance business delivered nearly €10bn (£8bn) in premium in the first quarter of 2012, the UK contributing €996m of that total.
Jelf's profit improves while revenue remains stable
Jelf Group has reported a 10% improvement in operating profit in the six months ended March 2012 to £1.6m, up from £1.5m in the same period of 2011.
ALPS launches new product range following broker consultation
Auto Legal Protection Services (ALPS) has launched a range of six legal expenses insurance (LEI) and assistance products.
Sometimes insurers are the victims ... no, really.
Without doubt my favourite story of the last week was that of the Limerick man who went on hunger strike in protest at Axa’s refusal to pay out on a €24,000 motor claim. Hunger strike is a particularly extreme reaction and particularly emotive in that…
RSA reports positive start to 2012 with premiums up 5%
RSA has reported a 5% improvement in net written premiums in the first three months of 2012, up to £2.2bn from £2.1bn in the same quarter of 2011.
AA calls for less talk, more action on whiplash claims
The AA has called for the government to take action on whiplash, and said it hopes the second insurance summit will be the “last talking shop”.
ABI accused of playing 'cynical and duplicitous game' over portal fees
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has reportedly advised members to start negotiating with offers of £150 for legal fees in low value claims.
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.
Industry frets over motor premium drop
Survey reveals drop in premiums, which may be good news for drivers but brokers are not so sure
Products: Lumley Jacobs signs up forensic coding partner
Non-risk and income specialist Lumley Jacobs has signed a deal to supply Tradewise with a branded forensic coding system. The company will incorporate the forensic coding within its proposition for motor trade and commercial vehicle customers.
Income pressure to hamper premium recovery until 2015
Non-life premiums will not recover to 2003 levels until after 2015, according to the Ernst & Young ITEM Club Outlook for financial services.
Broker Direct seeking similar deals following Zurich win
Broker Direct has won the contract to distribute Zurich-branded personal lines motor and household products through regional brokers.
Admiral reports improved turnover for Q1
Admiral Group increased its turnover to £586m in the first quarter of 2012, up 9% from £539m in Q1 2011.
Amlin UK reports 7.1% improvement in GWP
Amlin UK has reported gross written premium (GWP) of £312.4m for 2011, up 7.1% from the 2010 figure of £291.8m.
Young women drivers face premium hikes of 25% in 2013 warns AA
Average motor premiums fell in the first quarter of 2012 but rose for young women drivers, according to figures from the AA.
Groupama announces second scheme deal in a week
Groupama Insurances has won the contract to underwrite a new non-standard motor insurance scheme for Norfolk-based Adrian Flux.
QBE makes senior appointment to risk management team
QBE has appointed Martin Devaney as senior client risk manager on its risk management services (RMS) team.
MMA sees huge growth in regional bespoke products
MMA Insurance is reporting that it has seen a 40% increase this year in total regional growth for bespoke commercial business.
Aviva to push on broker household, says McMillan
David McMillan, CEO of the UK and Ireland general insurance business at Aviva, has told brokers that the insurer will be looking to match its growth in broker motor business with a push on household in 2012.
The week that was
This was a bad week for the insurance industry in terms of press – consumer group magazine Which? in particular had a field day, accusing insurers of charging customers exorbitant ‘hidden fees’ to make run of the mill changes to policies.
General insurers face credit downgrade over personal injury claims
Ratings agency Moody’s has warned the increase in periodical payment orders (PPO) will be credit negative for general insurers with exposures to personal injury claims.
Groupama in Brightside motorbike deal
Groupama Insurances has agreed to become the sole underwriter of motorcycle policies sold through eBike, part of the Brightside Group.
Which? accuses insurers of taking consumers for a ride
Consumer watchdog Which? has accused several insurers of charging customers exorbitant hidden fees for basic policy changes and renewals.
Motor premiums start heading downwards
Prices for comprehensive car cover fell by 3.3% in the first quarter of 2012, the first time in almost four years that car insurance premiums have seen any reduction, according to the Confused.com/Towers Watson Car Insurance Price Index.