Private medical insurance (PMI)
Pruhealth's buyout threatens end to PMI's reigning duopoly
The stranglehold that Axa PPP and Bupa hold over the private medical insurance (PMI) market could be loosened, following Pruhealth's acquisition of Standard Life Health (SLH).
Construction industry appeals to insurers for immediate help
Brokers are demanding that the insurance industry "step up to the plate" to aid the struggling construction sector.
Westfield absorbs tax increase and holds rates firm
Westfield Health has announced it will not immediately pass on the 1% rise in insurance premium tax (IPT) to policyholders - a decision set to cost the not-for-profit health insurance provider an estimated £530,000 per year.
Banks put loan pressure on commercial clients with preferred broker constraints
The broking community has accused banks of abusing their position by placing increasing and aggressive pressure on small commercial clients to use their preferred insurance intermediaries.
Heath Lambert wins Express Newspapers account
Heath Lambert has won the contract to place the general insurance risks of Express Newspapers and provide the company with risk management services.
Individual responsibility required to reduce NHS strain
More people will be required to take out health insurance over the next decade as their access to free healthcare becomes increasingly limited, according to a new report by Friends Provident.
Employee risk costs could soar under retirement proposals
The Government's decision to scrap the default retirement age from October 2011 could lead to key benefits becoming uninsurable for older employees, Mercer has warned.
Legal - Retirement regulations: Retirement age heading for the horizon
Changes to the age of compulsory retirement will have an impact on brokers and their clients. Alex Lock looks at potential financial implications and risks to consider.
QBE raids Chubb for accident and health underwriter
QBE has announced the appointment of Gemma Seymour as accident and health underwriter in its non-Lloyd’s A&H team.
Fears white paper proposal could hamper PMI
The coalition Government's decision to turn its back on its 'preferred provider' policy could pose a threat to the private medical insurance (PMI) industry, according to the Association of Medical Insurance Intermediaries (Amii).
News review: July 2010
A review of July's industry news.
News round-up: July/August 2010
A brief round up of news from the secto.
Heath Lambert loses director to Argo International
Argo International has appointed James Russell as underwriter to its professional indemnity (PI) team.
Westfield Health launches consumer focused online offering
Westfield Health has launched Health365 in a move which it claims will shake-up the health insurance industry.
The British Insurance Awards 2010 - winners round up
1800 people saw Allianz become general insurer of the year at the annual British Insurance Awards.
Heath Lambert creates London (Commercial) team
Heath Lambert has created a specialist commercial division called London (Commercial) as it aims to capture SME business within the M25.
Scheme news: Recent product launches home in on over-50s sector
Recent product enhancements and launches indicate industry appetite in the over-50s sector is increasing.
Health Shield appoints chief risk officer
Health cash plan provider, Health Shield, has appointed Courtney Marsh as its first chief risk officer.
Heath Lambert retains Diabetes UK affinity scheme
Heath Lambert has won the tender to provide personal lines and life insurance products for leading health charity Diabetes UK.
Emergency Budget 2010: PMI costs set to soar due to IPT rise, claims Healix
Healix has warned that the increase in insurance premium tax (IPT) will result in even higher costs for employers offering private medical insurance (PMI) or health cash plans to their staff.
Alpha Underwriting launched
Alpha Underwriting has announced the launch of its accident, health and travel sector offering to handle corporate travel and personal accident cover utilising underwriting capacity from Lloyd’s of London.
AMII warns Government off IPT increase
Any rise in insurance premium tax (IPT) will severely hit an NHS already under pressure, according to the Association of Medical Insurance Intermediaries (AMII).
Management changes at Heath Lambert in Leeds
Heath Lambert has announced that Leeds head of office John Dakin is moving to its national corporate team to focus on large accounts in Yorkshire and corporate relationships in the surrounding Leeds area.
Survey shows employee absence costs UK economy £17bn
Employees took 180 million sick days last year, averaging 6.4 days each, according to the latest CBI/Pfizer Absence and Workplace Health Survey.