SME
Das unveils Loss Assist
Das Group is to expand its range of assistance products with Loss Assist, set to be launched at the British Insurance Brokers’ Association’s 2012 conference in May.
Brokerbility member makes latest acquisition
Alan & Thomas Insurance Group has acquired Emery Little Insurance Brokers, a specialist aviation, SME and personal lines insurance broker based in Salisbury and Eastbourne.
Simply Business and Willis aim to change broker market for SME
Willis Networks has revealed its exclusive partnership arrangement with Simply Business to provide members with a new comparative electronic portal for SME business.
Willis unveils new electronic portal with Simply Business
Willis has teamed up with Simply Business to launch Willis eQuote, a new e-trading comparison platform exclusively for Willis Network members.
Aon buys broker from ABN Amro
Aon has bought the corporate broking business of ABN Amro.
QBE reveals expansion plans to brokers
Ash Bathia, chief underwriting officer at QBE for property, casualty and motor, has told brokers to expect more engagement and products from the provider after its acquisition of Brit’s UK regional business.
NIG aims to expand in Scottish market
NIG plans to invest in its Scottish operation and grow its Glasgow-based team following feedback from brokers in the Scottish commercial and SME market.
Powerplace not a top-five priority, declares Hodges
Towergate chief Mark Hodges has declared that Powerplace is not even in the top five of his priorities at the insurance broker.
Abbey Protection posts positive results
Abbey Protection has reported a 5% growth in profit, from £9.6m in 2010 to £10.1m in 2011.
RSA appoints trading director in SME push
RSA has appointed David Swigciski as SME trading director reporting to SME commercial director Tara Kneafsey as of April this year.
Aviva promotes from within for broker focused underwriting chief
Aviva has appointed Ian Ferguson to the role of chief underwriting officer for intermediary and partnerships with responsibility for driving the focus on underwriting across the broker channel whilst delivering profitable growth.
Arista makes fleet underwriting appointments
Arista Insurance has made two new appointments to its fleet team in Birmingham.
Groupama increases capability of Optima Business Plus
Groupama has launched a “miscellaneous trades” facility for its online commercial trade product, Optima Business Plus.
Ecclesiastical loses broker director as part of restructure
Ecclesiastical has parted company with Ian Wainwright, broker sales director, as part of a managerial restructure.
QBE snares RSA's SME boss for senior role
QBE has turned to two of its largest rivals to secure a brace of senior hires.
Aviva to attack corporate risk market with regional underwriting
Aviva will attempt to snatch a 20% share of the corporate risks market by increasing underwriting authority at a regional level.
Underwriters' role will have diminished by 2022 according to report
The overwhelming majority of SME business (80%) will be traded automatically or direct in ten years’ time and there will be less emphasis on underwriters’ experience and judgment according to a report from the Chartered Insurance Institute’s (CII).
Free to compete
The advent of real-time pricing could free brokers’ hands and create a more level playing field
Products: La Playa tests its new research and development product in the lab
La Playa has produced a new product designed specifically for start-up, early stage and SME research and development businesses.
Products: NIG fills a gap in its property owners insurance range
NIG has launched Essential Property Owners (EPO) cover, an SME-focused version of its Premium Property Owners (PPO) product.
LV doubles insurance profits as COR improves
LV has reported a doubling in general insurance profits before tax to £70m in 2011 from £35m the previous year.
Corporate Underinsurance: Improving understanding of business interruption cover
Last year's riots brought the problem of a lack of business interruption cover to the fore. What are the solutions to underinsurance in this area?
RSA commercial chief threatens to exit unprofitable markets
RSA’s commercial chief has confirmed that he will pull out from product lines that are not working for the insurer as he continues his revamp of RSA’s commercial book.
Aviva’s McMillan bullish on insurer summit outcomes
David McMillan, chief executive officer UKGI at Aviva, has told Insurance Age he was as optimistic as he had ever been on reducing the cost of motor premiums following the outcome of last week’s insurance summit with the Prime Minister, David Cameron.