Insurer
The PB Interview: View from the rock
Markerstudy was the first insurer to underwrite in the UK from Gibraltar, courting inevitable controversy. Andrew Tjaardstra meets group underwriting director Gary Humphreys to discover its success in becoming a major player in the broking and…
Reportage: An open claims book
Demonstrating a dependable claims service can win new clients and guarantee renewals, so why do many insurers continue to disappoint? Liz McMahon investigates sub-standard service
Ansvar hires sales director
Ansvar Insurance has appointed Richard Lane to the newly-created role of sales director.
ABI welcomes Government asbestos pledge
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has welcomed the announcement by the Justice Secretary Jack Straw of a package of measures to help people with asbestos-related diseases.
Aviva joins forces with SSP
Aviva has teamed up with global IT company SSP to give 600 extra brokers access to personal lines products.
Report: Scotland financial services sector set to suffer more job losses
A report in today's Daily Telegraph claims 16,500 people will have lost their jobs in the financial services sector over 2009 and 2010
Rise in complaints to Financial Ombudsman Service
Data released by the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) has shown an 18% increase in new complaints to 82,136 for the second half of 2009 compared with the first six months of the year.
Profits fall by nearly a third at RSA
Year end results from insurer RSA show profits after tax fell by 28% in 2009 compared to 2008.
Over two-thirds start insurance search on comparison websites
New research from Global Reviews, the customer experience benchmarking company, has found that over two thirds (70%) of people now start their searches for insurance on a comparison website.
Admiral creates 200 jobs
Admiral Group has announced plans to more than double its claims department by hiring over 200 new members of staff
Markerstudy's acquisition of Zenith completes
Following regulatory approval, Markerstudy Holdings has now completed the purchase of Zenith Insurance, incorporating Link Underwriting Agency and GHL Insurance Services.
FirstAssist and Camberford launch scheme to protect intellectual property
FirstAssist Legal Protection has launched an intellectual property scheme in partnership with Camberford Law.
Resignations on rise in insurance sector
Resignations amongst staff in the insurance sector have increased in the year to February 2010, despite growing fears over job security, according to new research.
British Airways cabin crew vote for strike, but no date set, and negotiations still in play
Insurance brokers will receive a flurry of calls as 81% of British Airways' cabin crew Unite members voted for strike action over changes to pay and employment conditions
Motorists are focused on insurance savings, says poll
A third of British motorists would like to save on their car insurance this year according to a poll conducted by Be Wiser Insurance
QBE boosts Manchester office
QBE European Operations has appointed Simon Smith as property underwriter in its Manchester office.
Arista makes underwriting appointment for South East
CEO Charles Earle promotes Anothony Foulds to take responsibility for property, liability and motor business in South East
Torus announces $185m equity investment boost
Torus has announced an additional equity investment of $185m (£120m) to support the expansion of its specialty insurance and reinsurance businesses.
Aviva warns of vacant property rise
A new study by the Local Data Company shows that retail property vacancy rates across Britain rose 2% in the past six months of last year to 12%, with some towns seeing as much as 24% of its shops lying empty.
Sterling launches new product following broker consultation
Sterling Insurance has announced the launch of its new Executive Business product.
Groupama's UK profits more than halved
Groupama’s results for 2009 reveal combined profitability for the UK operations (before tax and amortization) has fallen to £14.1m (2008: £30.1m)
Axa UK's GI earnings tumble
Axa's total general insurance (GI) and health underlying earnings in the UK and Ireland have fallen 63% to £90m in 2009, compared to £244m in 2008.
Ace raids RBS for travel director
Ace European Group has announced the appointment of Chris Price to the newly created role of regional director of travel insurance for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region.
Unemployment fell in last three months of 2009 but 2.8 million are 'underemployed'
Total unemployment was down 3,000 between October and December last year.