SME
Business continuity plans likely to reduce premiums
New research has suggested that insurers are happy to provide premium discounts to companies that have business continuity plans in place.
Bollington reshuffles board
Bollington has restructured its board of directors and appointed Chris Patterson as group managing director.
Industry agrees to reduce premiums if government action cuts legal costs
The government has made a commitment to tackle the country’s growing compensation culture, reduce legal costs and cut health and safety red tape in return for the insurance industry’s assurance that it will pass any resultant savings on to consumers.
NIG appoints former Axa regional director to lead in Manchester
NIG has appointed Warren Bainbridge as area business development manager (ABDM) for its Manchester office with business development responsibility for the Greater Manchester region as well North Wales, Merseyside and Lancashire.
Groupama increases regional underwriting presence
Groupama has appointed three new regional underwriters to its development underwriting team.
Arc Legal in SME deal with Swinton
Arc Legal Assistance has signed up to provide Swinton Commercial with a legal expenses policy geared towards protecting SMEs.
NIG rolls out new property cover
NIG has launched Essential Property Owners’ (EPO) cover, an SME-focused version of its Premium Property Owners’ (PPO) product.
Insurance companies lagging behind in payments
UK firms improved their overall payment performances in the final quarter of 2011, but insurance companies did not follow this trend, figures from Experian have revealed.
2011 insolvency rate up slightly on 2010
Experian’s Insolvency Index has revealed the insolvency rate for 2011 was 1.1%, a slight increase compared to the rate for 2010, 1.03%.
Aviva survey shows rise in uninsured SMEs
Aviva’s twice yearly SME Pulse survey of 500 UK SMEs has revealed an increase in the number of these businesses trading without insurance from 8% in June to 20% in December 2011.
New head of sales at PHP
The Private Health Partnership (PHP) has appointed Andrew Middleton as head of sales.
Axa survey finds SMEs pessimistic about profits
A survey of SMEs by Axa Commercial Lines has revealed that while hopes for an increase in turnover were strong expectations of profitability and plans for recruitment were less positive.
Taxman punishes SMEs while indulging big business
The Forum of Private Business has accused HMRC of indulging in the “harassment and mistreatment” of small business while arranging “sweetheart deals” with large companies.
Cameron's attack on H&S culture challenged by legal sector
David Cameron has vowed to “wage war” against the health and safety culture in Britain.
Reportage: Thinking big about smes
The difference between the small and the medium-sized businesses under the umbrella term SME can be very large and brokers need diverse tactics to target them both, explains Caitlin Morrison
The bottom line
Has a focus on the bottom line led to insurers and brokers in the SME sector knowing the price of everything and the value of nothing? City Slug asks
Products: broker feedback drives changes to Allianz motor trade policies
Allianz Commercial has revamped its motor trade policies following, it said, feedback from brokers.
Towergate restructures in wake of senior departures
Towergate is to form a new division dedicated to SME business in the wake of two senior departures.
Bluefin uses Axa delegated authority for PI book
Bluefin is to open a new office in Glasgow to handle PI and SME business that Axa Commercial Direct cannot write.
Towergate loses Your Insurance MD
The managing director of one of Towergate’s subsidiary companies has resigned.
Axa opens two new offices and hints at more to come
Axa Commercial Lines has officially opened new branches in Bristol and Newcastle.
Majority of SMEs are risk averse, survey finds
The majority of SMEs buy more than the minimum insurance cover but 30% are still willing to take a chance, a recent survey has found.
XL takes Allianz man to bolster Midlands operation
XL Group has made a new appointment to strengthen its Midlands underwriting team.
Video: high expectations at Broker Expo 2011
Insurance Age interviewed attendees on their expectations for the day at its flagship Broker Expo 2011 event where brokers go to do business.