Personal
Groupama appoints personal lines development underwriter
Groupama Insurances has appointed Julian Abson in the role of development underwriter for its personal lines motor account to develop business through its panel of intermediaries and strengthen relationships with broker partners.
Travel hikes spell trouble for schemes brokers
Following the rise in insurance premiums from Axa, Peter Hayman, director of P J Hayman, has predicted that some scheme holders will have difficulty renewing on competitive terms.
Ageas' retail profit remains static while COR continues to improve
Ageas' quarter three results have shown its UK retail operations, RIAS, Kwik Fit Insurance Services and Ageas Insurance Solutions (UKAIS), have delivered a 32% increase in total inflows to £96m.
Exeter Friendly to cut PMI premiums
Exeter Family Friendly has cut premiums on its "Health Cover for Me" private medical insurance (PMI) plan by up to 12.5%.
Biba calls on Government to stem "spiralling" motor insurance costs
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (Biba) has called on the Government to implement an eight point plan to reduce the rising cost of motor insurance.
Only one in ten automatically renew car insurance
UK consumers are the most determined to shop around for a good deal on insurance, and the least likely to stay loyal, according to Datamonitor.
SME Aggregators: Digital commercial futures
Edward Murray outlines the difficulties being encountered in establishing a successful aggregator template for small and medium-sized enterprise trade.
Market Watch - Networks: Opening connections
Emmanuel Kenning argues that broker networks are becoming more popular, though managers need to think carefully about the offerings available through them before committing their firms.
Editor's comment: Regional gloom with some optimism
The Spending Review dominated October, the speculation leading up to George Osborne's announcement in parliament giving way to analysis of how hard and where exactly the Chancellor's axe will fall on public spending.
News round-up: Business continuity
According to research from the Business Continuity Institute on behalf of the Chartered Insurance Institute, insurance professionals need a more consistent message when promoting the benefits of business continuity plans.
News Analysis - Spending Review: Coalition cuts deep to stimulate recovery
Emmanuel Kenning finds that brokers are determined to be optimistic in the wake of the Chancellor's £81bn of public sector cuts announced in the Spending Review.
News round-up: Insurers
Brit has formally accepted an offer of £888m from Apollo Management and CVC Capital Partners. The deal if agreed by shareholders is £10.75 for each share plus a further 25p if targets are met.
One in four pay off other driver after crash
A quarter of drivers have avoided using their motor insurance by giving money to a driver they have crashed into to fix the damage, according to website Myvouchercodes.co.uk
Deloitte says industry must address issue of brokers selling motor at a loss
Motor insurers need to increase their premiums while maintaining their customer base in order to return to profitability, according to Deloitte.
Viewpoint: Time to put things right
With poor motor results continuously dismissed as being due to external factors, David Vine asks why insurers choose to ignore the evidence that would enable accurate pricing and, in turn, profit.
Product reviews: Flexible and competitive caravan cover
These products have been reviewd by brokers who have rated them from one to five, based on the policy's key benefits.
Reportage - Future of regulation: Predicting the future
Everyone is aware the FSA is on its way out but what is less certain is how the new regulatory structure will operate. Liz McMahon explores what brokers can expect in the medium to long-term future.
News review: October
The founder and chairman of direct insurer Esure, Peter Wood, revealed that 2014 would be the earliest date that the company would launch an initial public offering.
Vacancy remains for Axa chief
Axa Insurance is still searching for a new commercial lines chief following a restructure of its UK business.
Marsh raids Towergate for senior network hires
Marsh has announced that Mike Rogers will replace Bruce Fertnig as head of Marsh ProBroker.
Axa's UK personal motor revenues up 35% in first nine months 2010
Property & casualty revenues in the first nine months of 2010 were up 0.7% to €21.4bn across the group at Axa. The UK & Ireland saw a 1.4% increase compared to the same period of 2009 to €3.2bn.
UK personal motor market to remain unprofitable for further five years
The UK personal motor market will remain unprofitable until at least 2015, according to a new survey of leading UK insurers by Towers Watson.
Broker claims debate
Claims are a thorny issue at the best of times but when credit-hire organisations and accident management companies are involved, it seems everyone gets prickly.
The results are in: The Top 50 Brokers in Personal Lines
Insurance Age has produced the third edition of its Top 50 Brokers in Personal Lines supplement, published in conjunction with Cornell Consulting.