International general insurance and reinsurance group Brit Insurance has announced the appointment of Bill Jackson as senior VP of Property Direct and Facultative for its US operations. He brings with him over three decades of re/insurance experience, and extensive knowledge of underwriting, management and marketing. He joins Brit from Burt and Scheld, where he worked [...]
European insurer and reinsurer Glacier Group has released its financial performance figures for 2009. Net income for the year was more than double that of 2008, rising by $34m to $60m, with return on equity rising from 5% to 12%. Total gross written premiums declined by $100m to $469m, a fall that occurred due to [...]
Liberty International Underwriters Europe (LIU Europe) has appointed Matthew Hogg as vice president. Based in London, Mr Hogg will lead the group’s newly established Strategic Assets division. The unit has been set up to underwrite a range of specialist risks, including intellectual property, reputational risks, cyber insurances and non-material damage business interruption. Having joined LIU [...]
Bupa’s “How Are You Britain” report indicates that almost half of the country’s workforce is less than happy. In a poll of over 2,000 people, 49% said they were feeling “unfulfilled” in their jobs, and 21% were annoyed by a lack of career progression. The health insurer is therefore recommending some simple changes that can [...]
AXA has announced that its Malaysian subsidiary, AXA Affin General Insurance Berhad, has received approval from Bank Negara Malaysia (the country’s central bank), to acquire 80% of BH Insurance Berhad. AXA general insurance chief executive officer, Jan van den Berg, describes the move as “important for the long-term growth of AXA in Malaysia” because it [...]
Allianz Commercial is offering a free legal disputes service to all of its SME policyholders. The service, which is being provided in conjunction with Allianz Legal Protection, aims to assist SME customers with contract and professional negligence disputes. It offers a free legal assessment of any dispute by a commercial solicitor and, if the the [...]
Bluefin Insurance Services has confirmed ambitious acquisition plans spanning the next three years. The AXA-owned broker already has over 50 branches, having acquired Lakeland Insurance Brokers and Lakeland Insurance Advisers in 2009. The firm currently has six acquisitions in the pipeline and looking ahead, believes the current economic climate “is likely to yield further good [...]
The Government is considering plans for legislation that will demand every dog owner in the UK carries third-party insurance against their pet causing injury to a person. Concerns that dogs are being bred solely for the purpose of intimidating others have led ministers to review the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. According to Home Secretary Alan [...]
Parliament today looked at a new, faster process for those injured in road traffic accidents to receive compensation. Under the new proposals there would be fixed stages and costs and deadlines for the claimants’ and defendants’ solicitors. Compensation sums between £1,000 and £10,000 would be covered, (claims of this size have previously comprised the majority [...]
American International Group, Inc. has announced it has signed a definitive agreement to sell off American Life Insurance Company (ALICO). ALICO will be sold to to MetLife, Inc. in a deal worth approximately $15.5bn, of which $6.8bn will be cash with the remainder made up of equity securities in MetLife. Chairman of the AIG Board [...]
Jacksons Claims Group has announced that it will be officially launching “Claims Assist” at the BIBA conference in May, following a successful pilot with Oyster Property Insurance Specialists. The new service is described as a “virtual claims department” that can lessen insurers’ administrative burdens while keeping them involved with their clients. The scheme is funded [...]
Insurance4carrental.com has updated its van hire excess insurance page to reflect the fact that Towergate Underwriting Group, on whose behalf the site has advertised van hire excess, has now launched its new Insuremyvanhire.com site. Philip Suter of jml Insurance has expressed his delight that the new site has gone live, adding that insurance4carrental.com had updated [...]
Westinsure Group has reported that 2009 was amongst its best ever years, with £300m of gross written premiums being written. In addition, the firm’s member offices passed the 200 mark as 35 new brokers joined the Alliance. The Group is a large network organisation consisting of independent, community-based insurance brokers, enabling independent brokers to offer [...]
True to its word, Hastings Direct has made an appearance on the High Street with the opening its first branch, in Bexhill-on-Sea. The firm says the move will provide the local community with a face-to-face service that includes an annual review and price check; help managing claims; and access to exclusive offers and promotions. The [...]
Kwik Fit Insurance has launched its 2010 Charity of the Year with the help of international rugby stars, Johnnie Beattie and Alastair Kellock. The firm has pledged its support to Rutherglen High School, which provides education to children with additional support needs. The school recently relocated to the insurer’s home county of Lanarkshire and is [...]
The AA has launched a nationwide Home Emergency Response service that deals with a wide range of domestic emergencies, from burst pipes and broken boilers to smashed windows. The group is offering its roadside rescue members a discounted rate of £9.95 per month (£11.95 for non-members) with central heating cover available at an additional £3 [...]
Thisismoney.co.uk has named the UK’s most trusted financial providers, based on a poll of 5,000 of its readers. According to the financial website, firms providing savings accounts, current accounts, mortgages and car and home insurance have all been evaluated on the basis of trustworthiness and customer service. In all but one category the same provider [...]
American International Group, Inc. (AIG) has announced it plans to sell its remaining shares in Transatlantic Holdings, Inc. (TRH). The shares are owned by American Home Assurance Company (AHAC), one of AIG’s subsidiaries. AHAC intends to try and sell the shares on 9 March or earlier, when TRH will join the S&P Midcap 400 Index. [...]
