Articles by Martin Friel
Editor’s letter – April 2011
As you can see, there’s a big focus on networks this month. Once seen as an anomaly, they are now a firmly established aspect of the market. And one way they have often sold themselves is that they are a security blanket. The claim is that they can…
PPI tops list of complaints about general insurance
Complaints made to the regulator about payment protection insurance (PPI) came second only to complaints made about banking last year.
Jackson proposals to be implemented in full
The Lord Chancellor, Kenneth Clarke, today announced in the House of Commons proposals for implementing major changes to the way in which civil litigation is funded in England and Wales.
Axa makes latest commercial team appointment
Axa has appointed the Chartered Insurance Institute’s (CII) Alasdair Stewart as commercial director.
Bupa 'first' claim met with scepticism
Rival private medical insurance providers have expressed surprise at Bupa’s claim to have secured an industry first in its cancer cover limits.
Competition Commission lays down rules over sale of PPI
The Competition Commission (CC) has published a list of requirements relating to the sale of payment protection insurance (PPI) in a bid to remedy the point of sale issues that have dogged he sector.
UK brokers pay three times more for regulation than any other Euro state
The British Insurance Brokers' Association (Biba) chief executive Eric Galbraith called for a fresh approach to regulation as he revealed key findings of research into the cost and future of regulation.
Aviva expands Fast Trade product range
Aviva has added three new products to Fast Trade, its online trading platform, and has claimed that it now transacts 90% of its commercial package products online.
Ecclesiastical chief hails "positive" results despite profit plunge
Ecclesiastical has maintained its traditional yo-yo financial results pattern as it reports a near £30m drop in profits on last year to £50.4m and an underwriting loss of £5.9m for 2010.
NIG makes senior regional appointment
Insurer NIG has appointed Stuart Webb as head of regional trading.
James Hallam makes senior appointments
James Hallam has made two new appointments to its board of directors.
Regulation preventing brokers from growing their businesses
A survey of Insurance Age readers has found that nearly 95% of brokers in the country find it more difficult to do their day to day job as a direct result of regulation.
Ink moves into charity sector
Ink Insurance has established Ink Charity to tap into the charity and care sectors.
Bluefin lures new chief financial officer from top IFA firm
Bluefin Insurance Group has appointed Robert Organ as chief financial officer replacing Ian Story who will step down in April.
RSA covers Scotland and Ireland position
RSA has moved quickly to replace departed Scotland and Ireland chief Annie Watson.
RSA's Scotland and Ireland chief heads for Aspen
Aspen, the Bermuda-based insurer and reinsurer has made its first foray into the Scottish market with a high profile appointment in Glasgow.
CFC launches multi-class policy for medical device market
CFC Underwriting has launched a product for medical device companies.
Insurance Age blog: FSCS - what would Darwin say?
It seems that there isn't a day goes by without someone mentioning the FSCS and its dreaded levies. And quite right too as it has put many brokers under unnecessary, added pressure.
Cullum throws weight behind new E-broking event
Towergate chief, Peter Cullum, is to make a rare public speaking appearance at Insurance Age’s new E-broking event.
Scarrett out at Willis Networks
Willis has announced that MD of its networks proposition, Phil Scarrett, will leave the business at the end of the month.
What the Papers Say returns
What the Papers Say is back and it's, well, not that different to before really. A quick, laidback roundup of the hottest news in insurance from both the trade press and the wider national press.
The all new Insurance Age hits the broking market
Insurance Age relaunches with a fresh new look featuring a round table with some of the biggest names in the industry as they look to reshape the market for the future
FSCS claws back some cash from failed PPI firm
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) has declared Welcome Financial Services (WFS) in default.
Markerstudy goes for funeral directors
Markerstudy Group has acquired the business of Kent - based Beal & Co.