Jelf has entered into an affinity partnership with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). Under the agreement, the broker will create a range of products exclusively available to IMechE’s 90,000 members and specifically tailored to the needs of those working in the industry. According to Jelf, increasing health and safety legislation has made it critical [...]
Ageas (previously Fortis) and the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) are once again urging homeowners and businesses to beware the oncoming winter weather, following on from last year’s winter weather health check campaign. The prolonged and severe winter weather last year saw a 21.2% rise in payouts with estimates of the number of homes adversely [...]
The European insurance sector remained stable in 2009, according to figures released today by the CEA (the European insurance and reinsurance federation). Provisional data show gross written premiums in Europe totalling €1,057 billion, having grown 2.9% (at constant exchange rates), compared with 2008. Life insurance premiums, which accounted for more than 60% of all premiums, [...]
Aviva has announced the appointment of David Hall as managing director of corporate risks and specialty lines at its UK general insurance business. Mr Hall is moving from Zurich, where he was chief executive officer for global corporate UK business. In his new post, he will be responsible for building Aviva’s corporate risks and specialty [...]
Willis Group has appointed Vic Krauze as chairman and chief executive officer of Willis North America. Mr Krauze will report to Joe Plumeri, chairman and chief executive officer of Willis Group, and will serve as a member of Willis’ executive committee. Formerly president and chief executive officer of Willis North America, he succeeds Don Bailey, [...]
Homeowners, travellers and motorists could be putting themselves at financial risk by cutting out or reducing key insurance cover that provides protection in the event of fire, flood, theft or an accident. So says the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA), which has raised the alarm following a survey in which 57% of broker respondents reported [...]
Aviva’s latest Hot Issues Tracker suggests that an increasing number of intermediaries are feeling more confident about the current economic climate. Nearly a quarter (23%) of adviser respondents reported that the state of the UK economy is positively affecting their business (compared to 15% in June). Twenty six per cent of those surveyed said they [...]
Travel insurer AXA has warned that as many as a million Britons could be at risk when they go skiing this winter. According to the firm’s research, one in six (17%) of UK adults enjoy skiing/snowboarding on holiday, yet 10% of them will go on holiday without any travel insurance at all. This lack of [...]
Millions of British homes are at risk because of inaccurate form-filling when taking out home insurance, according to avantia, provider of the online platform for non-standard household insurance, www.homeprotect.co.uk. Chief Executive David Walker has argued that the industry itself must take its share of the blame for the situation, for asking unreasonable questions or assuming [...]
A new market update from Guy Carpenter & Company, LLC has reported that the global markets for credit insurance and surety bonds are seeing some improvement. Interim results from leading credit insurers showed substantial improvements, and general success was achieved in the bid to avoid severity losses. However, the update did warn against the easing [...]
Bridge Insurance Brokers Limited, an independent corporate insurance broker based in the North West of England, has been awarded the title of Chartered Insurance Brokers by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). The exclusive title is a recognition of excellence awarded to few firms, with less than 100 members of the insurance industry enjoying the privilege. [...]
Aviva has responded rapidly to the recent floods in Cornwall, having claims teams on the ground as early as yesterday. Already emergency payments have been made, and alternative accommodation has been allocated for those whose homes have been rendered uninhabitable. Dominic Clayden, Aviva claims director, is on the ground to assess the damage first hand. [...]
Specialist insurer Markel International has announced that it has created a new Hong Kong-based service company. The company will operate from an office based in Lee Gardens and will commence operations on 1 January 2011, offering the Hong Kong insurance market underwriting services. Markel International already operates in Asia through Lloyd’s Asia trading platform, using [...]
Public risk management association, Alarm, and the Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters (CILA) have established a “Partners in Excellence” agreement. The move will provide a framework for both bodies to collaborate on the advancement and promotion of standards of excellence in the management of risk, both before and after an event. It will also benefit [...]
New research conducted by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) on behalf of home insurer LV= has revealed that 97,000 Britons have fallen victim to criminals setting up fraudulent direct debits from their accounts. So far this year 26,000 Britons have discovered criminal direct debits, which typically see criminals gaining £540 before the [...]
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has reported that its good practice guidance has been adopted by price comparison websites representing 80% of the insurance price comparison website market. The guide was launched at the beginning of the year with the aim of making it easier and clearer for consumers to compare and buy general [...]
The Law Commission has reported on responses to its paper on “Damages for Late Payment and the Insurer’s Duty of Good Faith”. The paper asks whether a policyholder should be entitled to damages where the insurer has refused to pay a valid insurance claim, or has paid only after considerable delay. Under ordinary contract law [...]
FINEOS Corporation has announced the launch of an “out of the box” claims management system, taking place in London today. Designed in consultation with the market, to meet the needs of start-up and small and medium-sized syndicates, FINEOS Express is apparently an easy to use, simple to change, cost effective claims platform that can be [...]
Global insurance broker Willis Group Holdings has announced the appointment of Mike Lack as the firm’s new executive director in the London downstream energy team. Lack will assume his new post with immediate effect and report directly to Willis Energy Downstream MD Justin Blackmore. He brings more than four decades of experience to his new [...]
