Axa
Axa unveils motor revamp as UK general earnings plummet
Axa has stated its intention to impose targeted rate increases across its personal lines motor book and make a return to the direct motor market as it announced a significant slump in UK general insurance earnings
Aon exodus as property team defects to Bluefin
Market speculation insists that Aon is set to lose a team from its property division to a rival broking firm
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.
Broker Direct teams up with Axa for home insurance product
Broker Direct have announced the launch of BD Home Options, a new household insurance product developed in partnership with, and underwritten by Axa Insurance.
Bluefin reports fall in revenue
Axa-owned Bluefin Insurance Group (BIG) has reported a 9% fall in revenues to £116m in 2009.
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.
What the Papers Say
Stories being analysed this month include: Axa's move into direct motor; use of social media in the insurance industry; Conservative plans for insurance; and the art of stonewalling the media.
Markel appoints business development manager
Markel International, the specialty property and casualty insurer, has appointed Anne Hudson as business development manager in its retail division.
Axa goes direct with Confused.com
Axa has returned to the direct insurance market in the form of Axa Direct, the latest insurer to join Confused.com’s list of motor providers.
Bluefin 'very lucky' to recruit ex Heath Lambert MD Mike Bruce
Former Heath Lambert managing director, Mike Bruce, has joined Bluefin as chief development officer, responsible for underwriting and claims at the Axa-owned broker
Keychoice Underwriting takes first steps towards market launch
Keychoice Underwriting has unveiled its senior management team in the run up to its official launch later this year
News review: January
Towergate Underwriting (TU) outlined plans to grow the business through the launch of a network of regional underwriting centres. The move was a precursor to taking the model to an international market. Chief executive Clive Nathan confirmed TU's first…
Zurich forges ahead with bold hikes in personal motor rates
Zurich's decision to implement blanket rate increases on its private motor book has exposed the diversity in strategy among the leading composite insurers in this arena
Central raids nationals for Glasgow operation
Central Insurance Services has announced several key appointments to its newly-opened Glasgow office
Axa launches end of lease product for vehicles
Axa Asssitance, in collaboration with Complectus, has developed a new end of lease insurance product covering the refurbishment costs for returning a vehicle within fair wear and tear standards
Torus hires new general property team
Former head of commercial lines at RSA, David Ring, is to head up the department
Heath Lambert raids Axa for music specialist
John Feaver will be responsible for developing UK and European musical instrument business
Axa launches travel extranet for brokers
Registered brokers can now manage client travel portfolios via the online portal
Axa Assistance appoints new CEO
Bob Ewers promoted to CEO for UK and Irish operations
Citybond teams up with Axa
Citybond Suretravel announces a five year partnership with Axa Insurance.
Axa appoints marketing chief
Philippe Maso, Axa Insurance chief executive, says the new role will provide a central focus
Axa launches iPhone application
Application believed to be the first to include a quote facility
M&S enhances household offering
M&S Home Insurance adds new environmental features
Small is beautiful
Louise Meeson finds that the perception of large insurers' service as faceless and impenetrable is leading brokers to smaller players better able to handle niches and small risks