Motor
Unsustainable motor rates see greatest increase in 16 years
Car insurance premiums have rocketed at a record rate as insurers attempt to move their motor books back into the black.
Broker Direct slashes workforce to balance declining motor book
Broker Direct has made 50 redundancies in a bid to compensate for the loss of one fifth of its personal lines motor book.
Brit cuts UK private motor book by 60%
Brit Insurance revealed it has cut its UK private motor book by 60% as it reported a 10.8% drop in UK gross written premium to £210.1m for the first six months of 2010 (H1 2009: £235m), a 11.4% decrease at constant exchange rates.
Three arrested in cash for crash operation
Durham Constabulary’s Serious and Organised Crime Group has arrested three men as part of an ongoing major investigation into organised criminals believed to be involved in ‘crash for cash’ activities.
Bollington enters into affinity partnership
Commercial broker Bollington has entered an affinity partnership with fleet management specialist Fleet Support Group.
Equity wins Mazda scheme deal
Mazda UK has appointed Equity Direct Broking to administer its car insurance scheme.
Oak Underwriting and Westinsure strike deal
High net worth (HNW) specialist Oak Underwriting has agreed a deal with Westinsure Group to provide HNW expertise to its network of independent insurance brokers across the UK.
News analysis: Fortis snaps up Kwik Fit
Fortis has expanded with the £215m cash purchase of Glasgow-based Kwik Fit - including Express and Green Insurance - from Kwik Fit Financial Services.
Fraud pushes up motor premiums
Fraud is helping to push car insurance premiums up at their fastest-ever rate, according to the latest AA British Insurance Premium Index.
Post Intelligence Benchmarking - Legal expenses: Five go forth
Fresh from surveying broker readers, Insurance 360's Peter Joy lifts the lid on the service provided by the UK's five leading legal expenses insurers — as their brokers experience it.
Market watch - commercial motor: Has commercial motor gone flat?
Though the economy continues to be troublesome and commercial motor is still highly competitive with small margins, there are some areas of improvement and growth, writes Fiona Nicolson.
Focus - technology: Taming the tide of systems improvement
The technology ocean requires time, flexibility and planning to navigate safely and, as the aggregator model shows, there is great danger in being left behind a business ship bound for new, exciting and profitable lands, writes Ed Murray.
Product review: Removes end of lease recharging conflict
The products reviewed in this article are rated from one to five, based on the policy's key benefits.
Canopius acquires KGM
Canopius Group has announced the acquisition of the business of KGM Underwriting Agencies, which manages Syndicate 260, one of two Lloyd's syndicates dedicated to writing motor business, together with approximately 60% of Syndicate 260's capacity.
Jubilee appoints new head of motor
Specialist Lloyd’s insurer, Jubilee Managing Agency, has appointed John Shepherd as head of motor at Jubilee Syndicate 5820. He replaces Julian Cashen who has left the business.
News review: June 2010
Online marketplace Ebay was poised to seek a raft of insurance partners as it geared up to launch a financial services offering. Insurance Age's sister title Post learnt that Ebay agreed a partnership with Staffordshire-based intermediary Autonet to help…
Your letters: Misfuelling misinformation
I have to take issue with Peter Powell, managing director of Complectus on the subject of misfuelling.
Emergency Budget 2010: Biba fears IPT rise will lead to cuts in cover
The British Insurance Brokers' Association (Biba) said it is concerned that consumers and businesses will be hit by increasing insurance costs.
Aviva reports 50% increase in motorcycle claims
Aviva has revealed that since 2005 it has seen a 57% increase in the number of bodily injury claims made against motorcyclists. The insurer has also seen motorcycle claims costs increase by 51% in the same period, and its statistics indicate that this is…
Carole Nash bags Co-operative book
Carole Nash has won a 5,000-strong motorcycle book from The Co-operative Insurance.
QBE addresses market rumours
QBE has issued a statement regarding its potential exposure to the Gulf of Mexico oil rig disaster and Insurance Australia Group's (IAG) announcement on motor liability claims.
Junction reveals "ambitious" growth plans
Junction said it aimed to more than double compound sales in next three years.
IAG boosts UK claims reserves
Insurance Australia Group (IAG) said that due to a "significant deterioration in UK claim experience", in particular bodily injury claims, it has conducted an independent actuarial review of its UK business.
Product review: Vehicle liability to cover smaller fleets
Broker ratings: The products reviewed here by brokers are rated from one to five, based on the policy’s key benefits.