Comparison sites
FCA puts comparison sites under spotlight
Regulator to investigate “key concerns” over how customers use aggregators
Moneysupermarket founder makes £200m from shareholding sale
Moneysupermarket.com founder Simon Nixon has sold 100m shares in the company, bringing him a cash windfall of £200m.
Former comparison site director slapped with eight-year ban
A director of motorbike insurance comparison website Bike Insurer Services Ltd has been disqualified for eight years.
LV MD: motor rates need to rise
LV managing director John O’Roarke has blamed falling motor rates for the only disappointment in its broker channel results for 2012.
Biba expresses disappointment at 'end for the middleman' article
The British Insurance Brokers' Association (Biba) has expressed disappointment at a Daily Mail article warning that buying insurance through brokers can push premiums up by £500 a year.
Income pressure to hamper premium recovery until 2015
Non-life premiums will not recover to 2003 levels until after 2015, according to the Ernst & Young ITEM Club Outlook for financial services.
Hoban calls on insurance industry to face long term challenges
Mark Hoban MP has warned that the insurance industry must be careful to avoid becoming “absorbed by the short term challenges” it faces and be more aware of the long term difficulties.
Zurich launches new product through aggregator
Zurich has launched a new online motor insurance product, which will be available direct via the insurer’s website and through Confused.com.
Towergate loses Your Insurance MD
The managing director of one of Towergate’s subsidiary companies has resigned.
‘Strategic’ decision delays aggregator offering
The launch of a new aggregator due to hit the market early in 2012 has been delayed as part of a ‘strategic decision’.
Towergate snaps up niche comparison site
Towergate Insurance has acquired caravanquoter.co.uk, a caravan and motorhome insurance comparison site.
FSA warns aggregators not to breach permissions
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has expressed concerns that comparison sites are helping to arrange and advise on sales without the correct permissions.
Chaucer bolsters UK motor business with key appointment
Chaucer Insurance has appointed Paul Baxter as head of direct as the insurer aims to build its UK motor business.
Trust more important than price when choosing insurer
Brand recognition is a more important factor than price when consumers choose an insurer on aggregators, according to new research.
New aggregator looks to Zurich for commercial director
Mike Quinton has taken on the role of commercial director for a new price comparison site due to be launched next year.
Biba calls for more intrusive regulation of comparison sites
Comparison sites must be recognised by the regulator as more than just introducers, according to The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (Biba).
Former Confused.com chief returns with new aggregator model
A new Covea-backed aggregator, due to hit the market early next year, is to be headed up by former Confused.com and Tesco Compare chief, Debra Williams.
Insurance Age blog: What did you have for breakfast today?
I'm going to tell you something you don't know about me. Happy Gilmore is one of my all time favourite films. There are a variety of reasons why this is the case but one particular exchange never fails to make me chuckle.
Biba welcomes FSA proposed guidance for comparison websites
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (Biba) has welcomed the Financial Services Authority’s (FSA) guidance consultation for insurance comparison websites.
FSA review reveals TCF issues for aggregators
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has deemed it necessary to issue proposed guidance on the selling of general insurance policies through price comparison websites.
Biba queries "misleading" survey on aggregator commission levels
The British Brokers’ Association (Biba) has questioned a recent YouGov survey which stated that the average commission taken by comparison sites stood at 24%.
Brokers are still making their mark in personal lines
Brokers are retaining their customer appeal in personal lines despite the growth of insurance aggregators - though they must remain in tune with customer needs to stay ahead, according to new Aviva research.
Survey reveals brokers sure of business growth
More than three quarters (78%) of insurance brokers polled in a survey for Mapfre Assistance said they were confident about business growth prospects in the next 12 months, with 27% saying they were very confident about business growth.
Jon Dye: what have you done for brokers lately?
From expanding Allianz Retail’s motor offering and setting up an online comparison service to trying to out-sing Gio Compario, Jon Dye tells us what he’s been up to.