Insurer
ECIS targets brokers through new affinity division
Electrical Contractors’ Insurance Services (ECIS) has announced the creation a new affinity group division.
HSB focuses on North London with new development hire
HSB Engineering Insurance has appointed Chantell Scott as development executive with a focus on North London and the surrounding areas.
Markel International sees GWP grow but COR deteriorate
Markel International has announced it achieved $709m (£436m) of gross written premiums (GWP) for the year to 31 December 2010 (2009: $641.20m).
Brokers hit by further FSCS levy rise of over 50%
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) has announced that the general insurance mediation sub-class will have to contribute £93.5m in 2011/12 a 57% increase over last year’s levy (2010/11: £59.6m).
Enforcement welcome but lacks bite says motor industry
The insurance industry has delivered a mixed response to recent government forays into uninsured driving and the cost of insurance in the sector.
Reportage - engineering: Keeping things ticking over
With news of cutbacks to the HSE budget, there are fears the engineering inspection sector will suffer. Neil Clutterbuck advises how brokers can ensure their clients' equipment meets UK standards and help reduce risk.
Reportage - Environmental liability: Caring for the environment
As local authorities begin to grasp the new Environmental Damage Regulations, the number of cases ending in legal action looks set to rise. Liz McMahon clarifies how brokers operating in the agricultural sector can protect themselves and their clients.
E-commerce: OFT sends out data sharing warning to insurance industry
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) must clamp down on anti-competitive data sharing in the insurance industry, according to consumer watchdogs Which and Consumer Focus.
Reportage - Risk management: The commercial menu
Risk management is often touted as a way in which brokers can differentiate themselves from their competitors. Edward Murray asks why it is not offered to commercial clients as standard.
E-commerce: Simply Business reveals ambitious GWP growth plans
Simply Business, has unveiled a gross written premium target of £100m by the end of 2012, up from £41m last year.
Intermediary receives FSA fine and ban for 'turning blind eye'
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has fined an intermediary £25,000 and banned him from working in regulated financial services for his part in a scheme that defrauded Markel and QBE, through its agent Amalfi, of more than £2m.
Reportage - Commercial property: Businesses under the weather
Louise Phillips examines the risks facing commercial property when it comes to weather and how brokers should advise their clients to prepare for the worst and put in place measures to limit damage.
Mayer tasked with EMEA focus in London return
Igal Mayer has returned to London as Aviva's chief executive of Europe, Middle East and Africa. The move from CEO of the North American division comes a year after the implementation of the restructure, which saw Mark Hodges appointed to lead UK…
Norgrove makes swift exit from Travelers Ireland
Less than five months after joining from RSA, Travelers Ireland vice president, Ken Norgrove, has resigned to take up a senior post within Zurich's Irish operation, Insurance Age understands.
E-commerce: Commercial market struggles to meet fraud prevention demand
As the capacity for online small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) trading increases, the commercial insurance market continues to lag behind in fraud prevention, according to APC underwriting director, Ian Russell.
Director's and Officer's: A D&O deluge
Emmanuel Kenning takes an overview of the D&O sector and asks where the market will go next after a host of developments in 2010.
Social media: A squeaky clean image
As the potential grows for customers to express their opinion across numerous platforms, so too does the importance of preserving your reputation online. Jon Ralph reports on broker use of social media.
Schemes news: 'Smart scheme' to double Gent & Craig's GWP for dental policies
Northern Ireland broker Gent & Craig Insurances has boosted its presence in dental surgery insurance following the creation of a 'smart scheme' by specialist insurer UK General.
Power hour: A flood defence drought
The coalition has already announced that flood defence spending is to be cut. With the Statement of Principles due to run out in 2013 this month's discussion focuses on the possible impact for insurance. Emmanuel Kenning reports from Manchester.
Polly C - the hottest insurance gossip
Polly was delighted to spend a January evening in the company of the charming communications peeps at BGL Group, owner of Comparethemarket.com among other things.
Agenda: KIC 2010 results and 2011 outlook
Letter to president Petrov Arverbeyev Kazakhstan Insurance Company
Product review: Healthcare that has all the bases covered
This product has been reviewed by brokers and rated from one to five, based on the policy’s key benefits.
News review: January 2011
Groupama announced its plans to transfer the Liverpool and Glasgow-based commercial motor accounts of broker Choice Quote to its sister business Bollington, as part of a restructure of its GUK Broking Services arm.
Viewpoint: Changing tactics
The market is buzzing with talk about the introduction of variable commission on individual commercial policies. Malcolm Smith asks what the implications will be for brokers, insurers and policyholders.