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Aviva's UK operating profit falls in 2020
CEO Amanda Blanc sees opportunities for "material growth" in the UK market as commercial lines premiums continue to grow.
Aviva to buy Axa XL's Private Clients business
The deal, which is set to complete later this year, will see the Axa XL Private Clients team move across to Aviva to launch a new Aviva Private Clients proposition.
Interview: Ecclesiastical's Richard Coleman
MD of UKGI, Richard Coleman, tells Insurance Age about the provider's plans to modernise its brand and discusses the business interruption test case and Ecclesiastical's approach to working with brokers.
Meeting private equity: Andy Marsh of Beech Tree
In our continuing series, Beech Tree founder, Marsh talks through the investor’s interest in UK insurance distribution and its investment into managing general agent Avid Insurance.
Iprism develops unoccupied property product
The MGA said it developed the proposition in anticipation of a spike in empty properties due to post-Covid disruption.
RSA UK COR deteriorates to 101.8%
The insurer said the UK figures were “heavily impacted” by Covid-19 and, excluding the pandemic the UK COR was 95.8%, as CEO Hester reflects on group performance since 2014 and flags exit.
ERS posts surge in profit for 2020
COR also improved, while GWP was down on 2019 after a number of products lines were "materially affected" by Covid-19.
Axa UK & Ireland P&C COR improves to 96.2%
The provider’s 2020 results showed that, despite a fall in revenue, COR improved as P&C business in the UK reports growth in personal motor and commercial lines.
Jensten moves in for second deal this month
It has bought Advance Insurance Agencies to act as a specialist personal lines hub for its franchisees and broking operation.
Ageas reports 95.2% COR
The improved position was down to lower motor claims due to the lockdown as the insurer reports growth in broker deals for household and commercial.
Aston Lark buys Kent-based Sennocke
Deal includes two niche brands - Self-Build Zone and Build-Zone - as well as technical surveying and risk management business Build-Zone Survey Services.
LV confirms 300 redundancies following L&G takeover
CEO Steve Treloar explains the consultation process is now complete after the provider last year put up to 600 roles from across LV and L&G at risk as part of a restructure.
Analysis: Are we moving towards market failure for high-rise buildings?
PI and property rates were hit hard following the Grenfell fire horror. Martin Friel investigates the wider insurance implications but is met with deafening silence from providers as brokers sound the alarm.
Rock develops underwriting agency to target brokers
Tigon focuses on travel and Covid-19 cancellation cover as Rock seeks to diversify.
"Bold move" for GRP as it buys Marsh's UK Networks business
The takeover, which includes Marsh ProBroker, Bluefin Network and Purple Partnership, will see David Hopwood continue to lead the combined networks business as part of the GRP executive team, as group CEO Mike Bruce promises there will be no redundancies.
Peter Hubbard exits Be Wiser
The move follows staff at the motor broker being put under consultation last week.
Simply Business teams up with Equipsme for health plan push
Simply Business has partnered with insurtech MGA Equipsme to allow its customers to directly purchase health insurance plans online for the first time.
Be Wiser to slash staff numbers amid restructure
All 280 staff are under consultation as the business looks to reorganise following a series of losses and a "tough" pandemic.
Zurich UK reports 75% fall in GI operating profit for 2020
Combined operating ratio for the UK business deteriorated to 97.8%, but GWP was up by 11%.
Intact's RSA takeover "on track" to complete in Q2 2021
RSA shareholders voted to approve the deal last month.
Kingfisher denies "bad faith" dismissals amid legal row with Fresh-sellers
The dispute centres around accusations of misconduct, data breaches and misuse of the MyLicence platform at Fresh, which was bought by Kingfisher in 2018.
Reported ghost broking cases rose by nearly 10% in 2020
IFED warns of ghost brokers exploiting the pandemic, with fraudsters targeting victims on social media.
Blog: Managing virtual business risk in the fine art market
Covid-19 has resulted in a rapidly evolving risk landscape for fine art organisations. Beazley's Simon Aitchison argues clients need to work closely with their insurance brokers and insurers to identify these new risks the face, and ensure that they have…
Blog: A broker reflection on pandemic cover
James Hallam’s Colin Watts calls for common sense and explains that, during a long career in insurance, the risk of pandemic has never been proposed as an insurable product.