Property
Stackhouse Poland launches third joint venture
Guildford-based broker Stackhouse Poland has launched Stackhouse Fisher, in association with accountancy firm HW Fisher, with a commission target of £1m by 2016.
Brokerbility's two new members raise GWP to over £450m
Brokerbility has added two new members in the form of Saffron Insurance and Morrison Insurance Solutions.
Homecall Plus rescued from liquidation
After being placed into compulsory liquidation in May this year, Homecall Plus has been bought by a 21 year old female entrepreneur from Wigan.
Bulletin from Bordeaux: Axa’s global chief sees UK market hardening
In his third special report from Axa's media conference in Bordeaux, Emmanuel Kenning reports on UK commercial market hardening and Axa's global prospects.
Brokers rate motor top for growth in personal lines
A survey by Mapfre Assistance has rated motor as the product area most likely to drive growth for insurance brokers in personal lines over the next 12 months.
Plum choice for new MD
Somerville Holdings has promoted David Whitaker to the role of managing director at its specialist household subsidiary, Plum Underwriting.
Groupama claims e-trading milestone
Groupama has labeled Optima Business Plus “the market’s first fully online, multi-section, commercial combined product”.
Towergate turns to 'family' for new MDs
Towergate Underwriting has announced the appointment of three new managing directors.
Sterling uncovers broker confidence schism
Research by Sterling Insurance has revealed that 65% of brokers are confident about commercial lines business growth prospects in the next 12 months while over half saw no prospect of growth in personal lines.
Appeal decision good news for surveyors
The Court of Appeal has unanimously agreed that surveyors did not owe a duty of care to a buy-to-let investor in the case of Scullion v Bank of Scotland Plc (t/a Colleys).
Select & Protect enters non-standard home insurance market
Select & Protect has launched a non-standard risk home insurance product for brokers aimed at customers struggling to find cover due to criteria such as a flood risk property, adverse claims history or criminal convictions.
Financial confidence falling, research says
Research from Axa has revealed that 40% of consumers have made significant spending cutbacks since the end of last year with financial confidence continuing to fall.
Gallagher raids Towergate for senior hires
Gallagher International has poached the managing directors of two of Towergate's largest underwriting units.
APC revamps hoteliers and guest house owners policy ahead of Olympic tourist surge
APC has announced the re-launch of its hotel and guest house product with area rating designed to help brokers service UK proprietors looking to take advantage of the expected nationwide surge in tourist numbers resulting from the Olympics.
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.
JLT targets landlords with online offering
JLT Specialty (JLT) has launched an online quote and bind facility for property owners' risks aimed primarily at the broker sector.
Arista establishes permanent presence in East Anglia
Arista Insurance has appointed Stephen Robinson as development underwriter for the East Anglia region.
Significant leadership changes at Zurich's commercial broker division
Following the recent changes in its UKGI commercial broker division, Zurich has announced further key appointments.
Barbican and Glemham part ways
Barbican Insurance Group has confirmed it is to cease providing underwriting capacity to Glemham Underwriting.
Barbon delivers over £11m profit in second year of growth
Barbon Insurance Group recorded a pre-tax profit of over £11m based on a 4% increase in turnover in 2010, its second successive year of growth.
Ageas returns to profit despite 104.6% COR
Ageas Insurance has revealed profit before tax of £3.9m for the first quarter of 2011, a £9.2m improvement over the equivalent quarter in 2010.
Barbon employees to get slice of acquisition pie
Barbon Insurance Group has launched a unique new employee incentive in a bid to increase the number of acquisitions it makes.
Aviva posts improved COR in first quarter 2011 results
Aviva has revealed a 20% increase in general insurance premiums to over £1bn for the first quarter of 2011 (1Q2010: £913m).
Allianz chief hails broker book but laments state of commercial market
Allianz UK CEO, Andrew Torrance, hailed the performance of the insurer’s broker retail book but lamented the continued soft condition of the commercial market as he revealed the insurer's financial performance for the first three months of 2011.