Insurance Age - 2012-02-06
Articles in this issue
Editor’s letter - February 2012
“It’s not that I want to make you all feel bad it’s just that, for brokers, there hasn’t been a lot to be cheerful about”
Groupama up for grabs
Speculation continues to surround the sale of French insurance giant’s UK operations
Protecting clients’ assets
The industry needs to get up-to-speed over new rules governing client assets, explains David Roberts
Reportage: Looking to liability
As the nature of risks facing many businesses and industries changes drastically, brokers could break into areas traditionally dominated by liability specialists, writes Emmanuel Kenning
Market moves: A good month for the management
It’s well into the new year but the insurance industry is certainly still ringing the changes. As usual, there were moves between rival companies, with Willis losing a COO to Aon, and Lifestyle Services dipping into Ace for a new CEO.
Changing attitudes
Businesses need to treat everyone fairly and comply with equality legislation, explains Sally Mbewe
Power hour: Northern lights
Cautious optimism in the local economy and increased insurer presence in Newcastle are just two reasons why the North East market is looking up, reports Martin Friel
Products roundup: Brokers braced for the digital future
It has been a technology heavy start to the year for brokers who have been inundated with new offerings from insurers in this fast evolving sector.
Product: Equity launches telematics service
Equity Red Star has launched a new risk and vehicle management telematics service for the commercial motor and motor fleet sectors.
Product: Travelers expands media range with PI products
Travelers has launched two new professional indemnity (PI) products aimed at the publishing and general media sectors.
Product: Axa releases more efficient art offering
Axa Art has targeted the owners of art and other valuable collectible items such as vintage cars, wine and furniture with its new insurance policy, ArtFIRST.
Product: New products to cover digital downloads and cloud computing
Managing general agents have been busy focusing on plugging gaps in the technology-related insurance market.
Product: Stonebridge focuses on printing industry
Stonebridge Corporate has created a new trading subdivision, Print-Insure, to provide cover to the lithographic, digital print and supply industries.
Review: Talking tech
CNA Europe technology package product. This product has been reviewed by brokers and rated from one to five stars, based on the policy’s key benefits. * = Poor ** = Average *** = Good **** = Very good ***** = Excellent
The truth about redundancy
Is making redundancies always the best option for coping with financial pressure? Peter Done explores the problems and alternatives
How long till a hardening market?
Rumours of the impending hardening market may be premature
Straw vows to continue pushing on motor insurance premiums
Transport Select Committee calls for multi-government department approach
Lessons to learn from FSA
That broker favourite, the Financial Services Authority (FSA), has taken a bit of a pasting from the Treasury Select Committee which described the soon to depart regulator as too expensive, aloof, bureaucratic and unable to protect customers.
Time for the broker talent search
In the rush and excitement to bring in new broking teams there are a few things employers should remember, says David Coupe
Should Aviva be broken up?
Tony Cornell looks at the case for a totally separate general insurance business
On the increase
If insurers’ results reveal poor COR performance in commercial, will it prompt rating increases? Peter Hubbard asks
Time to Act
A seismic change to the way brokers operate is due in April, but the industry doesn’t appear to be ready, says Stephen Netherway
Broking success: Two’s company
Romero Insurance Brokers’ Justin Romero-Trigo and Simon Mabb tell Andrew Pearce why chartered status is so important and how they have managed to thrive during the recession
Insurers rally against Biba survey
Providers refute trade body’s research into stricter claims payouts
Editor’s letter - February 2013
“Though it was not their stated intention this time, the aggressive stance was one Biba could adopt more often – and not just because it is fun to write about”
Market speculation rife over changes at Towergate
Midlands region shake-up at Towergate sparks rumours of possible flotation
Power hour: Building relationships
In the high net worth sector, success for brokers is all about nurturing long-term relationships with clients and insurers. Caitlin Morrison reports
Market moves: New challenges
The January edition of Market moves obviously riled insurers. Not happy at seeing their column inches quite frankly pulverised by those of brokers, the providers have hit back with a string of senior announcements.
Insurance brokers feeling down in the mouth, survey reveals
PwC and CBI poll reveals brokers’ optimism levels at their lowest since Q4 2011
Brokers face shift in balance of power
New Act moves the focus in consumer insurance, but is the industry ready?