Insurer
Sabre to launch new online direct brand in Q1 2025
Sabre has revealed plans to enter the direct motorcycle market with an online brand in Q1 2025.
Aviva has Xmas deadline for DLG offer after both agree prospective £3.6bn deal
Aviva and Direct Line Group have jointly announced that they have reached preliminary agreement on the financial terms of a potential acquisition of the latter by the former.
Aviva launches programme for rising stars of the broking world
Aviva has launched a programme targeting “rising stars” in insurance broking, to help brokers develop and retain young talent, Insurance Age can reveal.
Interview: Nikki Lidster, Zurich
Nikki Lidster sets out her promises to brokers having taken up the post of head of SME and trading at Zurich earlier this year.
Alps moves another book to AmTrust
Alps, a provider of insurance add-on policies, has moved its landlord legal expense book to AmTrust International.
RSA targets writing to brokers in January on commission as NIG integration progresses
RSA will have harmonised its baseline commission tables by the end of this year, according to Laura Fox, distribution development director, in the latest integration webinar after the deal for NIG.
Zurich’s Nikki Lidster on SME growth, mid-market blending and technology tie-ups
Zurich has achieved 30% SME growth in new business this year, with similar targets for 2025, UK head of SME and trading Nikki Lidster has revealed.
Analysis: Aviva’s bid for DLG – what are the pros and cons for UK insurance brokers
The industry was abuzz last week with the ramifications of Aviva’s £3.3bn bid for Direct Line Group. Jonathan Swift reflects on the weekend’s developments, and what the deal might mean for UK brokers should the possibility of a green light gain momentum…
Allianz Commercial appoints regional head of multinational as Hegel promoted
Allie Chadwick has been named regional head of multinational in the UK at Allianz Commercial, effective immediately.
Sompo priortising regional hires and MGAs over expanding broker panel
Sompo remains “open minded” to further UK regional expansion, but is happy to build on its existing locations in Birmingham and Manchester for now.
Ageas promotes Beckett to MD of broker and partnerships
Ageas UK has appointed chief distribution officer Adam Beckett to the newly created role of managing director of broker and partnerships.
Ecclesiastical partners with Clear on local councils scheme
Ecclesiastical has teamed up with Clear Councils, part of Clear Group, adding the broker’s local councils insurance to its schemes book in an arrangement that will come in to force at the start of 2025.
Industry reacts to discount rate change
Insurance industry specialists have welcomed the government moving the personal injury discount rate to 0.5% with PwC calculating it will lower motor premiums by £50 on average.
Personal injury discount rate shift will cut motor premiums, says PWC
The government will move the discount rate applicable to personal injury lump sum compensation payments to 0.5% as of 11 January 2025.
Rokstone launches disgrace cover
Managing general agent Rokstone has added to its contingency product suite with the launch of disgrace cover.
People Moves: 25 – 29 November 2024
Keep up to date with the latest insurance industry personnel moves.
Policy Expert strikes £1bn co-insurance deal with Bridgehaven and Accredited
Personal lines specialist Policy Expert has added a second capacity provider in Bridgehaven as part of a new co-insurance arrangement with existing backer Accredited.
Analysts point to 265p per share to sweeten Aviva-DLG deal
Experts from Peel Hunt have labelled Aviva’s 250p per share approach for Direct Line as a “reasonable offer” adding there is “scope to sweeten the bid to 260-265p”.
DLG rejects £3.3bn Aviva takeover offer
Aviva has revealed it has become the second insurer to publicly bid for Direct Line Group this year, with an offer worth £3.3bn.
Ex-Accredited boss Johnson joins Hadron
Former CEO of Accredited Insurance (Europe), Colin Johnson, has joined Hadron as CEO of international operations.
Car and motorcycle insurance complaints stick in FOS top five
The number of car and motorcycle insurance complaints to the Financial Ombudsman Service in the second quarter of 2024/25 dropped compared to the same period a year ago however the sector has remained in the top five.
Analysis: Placement strategies – are brokers turning the tables?
What is driving brokers’ decisions on which markets they use? While once it was insurers holding the aces, it now appears the boot is on the other foot, finds Rachel Gordon
PE-backed US consolidator buys London-based MGA
Landmark Underwriting has been acquired by Bishop Street Underwriters, a US-based MGA consolidator and incubator backed by RedBird Capital Partners.
Polaris at 30 – Ray Vincent
As insurance industry owned Polaris celebrates its 30th birthday, Insurance Age asks experts for their recollections on the dawn of digital trading and what is coming next.