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Q&A with Aviva's Phil Bayles
Following Broker Extra in July, Insurance Age caught up with one of the speakers, Aviva chief distribution officer Phil Bayles, to discuss some of the key topics that came out of the event
NIG sees premium growth in H1 as Direct Line posts profit fall
CEO Penny James comments on the provider's Covid-19 strategy as COR improves but in-force policies reduce.
Admiral lockdown rebate cost £97m
2020 COR for the first half of the year was 83.0% compared to 92.3% on H1 2019.
Lycetts returns to profit in 2019
Broker reveals it recently undertook a strategic restructure, creating a single insurance division, and completed a deal for broker Robertson-McIsaac.
UK Broker Awards: Meet the Shortlist - Personal Lines Broker of the Year
In the run up to the 2020 UK Broker Awards Insurance Age is profiling all the shortlisted firms and individuals, with today’s focus being The Personal Lines Broker of the Year.
GRP-owned County buys CJN Insurance Services
Broker states it has a number of deals in due diligence and expects to add to its portfolio soon.
CMA orders Ardonagh to keep Bennetts separate as deal completes
Ardonagh’s £26m purchase of the motorcycle specialist approved by the FCA, but the ongoing CMA inquiry looking at how the transaction impacts competition in the market continues.
Ageas profit after tax slumps by half
The provider reported a result after tax of £22.8m compared to £45.4m in H1 2019.
Aviva UK numbers a product of Covid-19
UK COR hit 106.3% for the first half of 2020 as GI CEO Colm Holmes points to a strong underlying performance despite the business remaining in cost-cutting mode.
Blanc to focus on UK, Ireland and Canada to intensify Aviva growth
The CEO said that as part of this there may be some market withdrawals and “difficult” decisions as she reaffirms Aviva’s commitment to brokers as UK COR soars amid Covid-19.
Allianz hits almost £2bn in premium
However commercial business sees GWP decline in H1 2020 numbers as provider predicts £80m Covid-19 BI hit.
Hastings bought by Finnish/South African consortium
The deal values Hastings at around £1.66bn as the provider also publishes half year results.
Co-op hits out at Unite over Markerstudy deal claims
Unite said the deal is a “betrayal” of the Co-op philosophy as trade union predicts 200 jobs at risk once deal goes through.
AA confirms offer talks amid refinancing
The group is meeting with Centerbridge Partners Europe, LLP alongside Towerbrook Capital Partners UK, Platinum Equity Advisors and Warburg Pincus International as it flags £2.65bn of debt.
RSA posts drop in premium in H1 2020
Provider expects Covid-19 premium slip of £110m for the group, including an estimated £81m impact in the UK & International business, as it also reveals a £33m loss on its UK and London market exit portfolios.
Finnish provider in cash offer talks with Hastings
Sampo Oyj has approached the business along with Rand Merchant Investment Holdings.
Sabre reports GWP of £86.9m for first half of 2020
The motor insurer said it had continued focus on a strategy of prioritising underwriting profitability over volume whilst reflecting Covid-19 impacts using a data-driven pricing approach.
Roles from LV and L&G at risk amid redundancy programme
LV General Insurance has revealed “worst case scenario” of up to 600 job cuts as it restructures and integrates L&G.
LV puts 600 roles at risk of redundancy
The cull follows the acquisition of Legal & General as the personal lines insurer seeks to integrate the businesses and streamline its claims function.
Marsh Commercial offers cashback to former personal lines customers
Exclusive: The broker has handed back cash following an internal review and admits some clients were not offered the most competitive terms between 2012 and 2018.
Insurance Covid-Cast: How has staff productivity been impacted by remote working?
For the 35th episode of Post and Insurance Age’s video series we gathered together a panel of senior insurance managers to discuss how productive staff have been since Covid-19 lockdown, and whether it has changed as restrictions have eased?
CMA launches official inquiry into Ardonagh’s Bennetts deal
The regulatory body must make a decision on whether to refer the merger for further investigation by 16 September this year.
Motor premiums fall but Covid-19 clouds analysis
Prices fell by 5% in the last quarter according to the Confused/Willis Towers Watson index.
Direct Line buys start-up broker Brolly
The Brolly team, including founder Phoebe Hugh, is set to move across to Direct Line once the deal is completed.