Property
Groupama claims e-trading milestone
Groupama has labeled Optima Business Plus “the market’s first fully online, multi-section, commercial combined product”.
Towergate turns to 'family' for new MDs
Towergate Underwriting has announced the appointment of three new managing directors.
Sterling uncovers broker confidence schism
Research by Sterling Insurance has revealed that 65% of brokers are confident about commercial lines business growth prospects in the next 12 months while over half saw no prospect of growth in personal lines.
Appeal decision good news for surveyors
The Court of Appeal has unanimously agreed that surveyors did not owe a duty of care to a buy-to-let investor in the case of Scullion v Bank of Scotland Plc (t/a Colleys).
Select & Protect enters non-standard home insurance market
Select & Protect has launched a non-standard risk home insurance product for brokers aimed at customers struggling to find cover due to criteria such as a flood risk property, adverse claims history or criminal convictions.
Financial confidence falling, research says
Research from Axa has revealed that 40% of consumers have made significant spending cutbacks since the end of last year with financial confidence continuing to fall.
Gallagher raids Towergate for senior hires
Gallagher International has poached the managing directors of two of Towergate's largest underwriting units.
APC revamps hoteliers and guest house owners policy ahead of Olympic tourist surge
APC has announced the re-launch of its hotel and guest house product with area rating designed to help brokers service UK proprietors looking to take advantage of the expected nationwide surge in tourist numbers resulting from the Olympics.
Products: Self-build scheme goes online
Broker Atkinson Smith and Brit Insurance have launched an online quote and buy system as part of their self-build (new build) and home extension/conversion scheme.
JLT targets landlords with online offering
JLT Specialty (JLT) has launched an online quote and bind facility for property owners' risks aimed primarily at the broker sector.
Arista establishes permanent presence in East Anglia
Arista Insurance has appointed Stephen Robinson as development underwriter for the East Anglia region.
Significant leadership changes at Zurich's commercial broker division
Following the recent changes in its UKGI commercial broker division, Zurich has announced further key appointments.
Barbican and Glemham part ways
Barbican Insurance Group has confirmed it is to cease providing underwriting capacity to Glemham Underwriting.
Barbon delivers over £11m profit in second year of growth
Barbon Insurance Group recorded a pre-tax profit of over £11m based on a 4% increase in turnover in 2010, its second successive year of growth.
Ageas returns to profit despite 104.6% COR
Ageas Insurance has revealed profit before tax of £3.9m for the first quarter of 2011, a £9.2m improvement over the equivalent quarter in 2010.
Barbon employees to get slice of acquisition pie
Barbon Insurance Group has launched a unique new employee incentive in a bid to increase the number of acquisitions it makes.
Aviva posts improved COR in first quarter 2011 results
Aviva has revealed a 20% increase in general insurance premiums to over £1bn for the first quarter of 2011 (1Q2010: £913m).
Allianz chief hails broker book but laments state of commercial market
Allianz UK CEO, Andrew Torrance, hailed the performance of the insurer’s broker retail book but lamented the continued soft condition of the commercial market as he revealed the insurer's financial performance for the first three months of 2011.
Liberty takes on 10 new staff to push commercial growth
Liberty Mutual Insurance, the commercial lines operation of Liberty Mutual Insurance Europe, has announced several new staff appointments as part of its drive into the UK’s commercial lines mid-market.
RSA launches mid market commercial product
RSA has launched a new Commercial Combined Select product which it claimed has been specifically designed to meet the needs of a range of sector trades.
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.
Catastrophes push Markel's COR up to 152%
First quarter results for Markel International have revealed a combined operating ratio of 152% compared to 109% for the same period of 2010.
Review: a buy-to-let policy that offers something different
This product has been reviewed by brokers and rated from one to five stars, based on the policy’s key benefits.
Axa's UK commercial motor revenues jump by 21%
Axa’s results for Q1 2011 have shown a 2% drop in total revenues to €28bn (£25.2bn) from the same period last year.