Strathclyde Police are reportedly making life more difficult for those known to be members of criminal gangs by revealing their names to insurance companies. Motor and life insurers are understood to be privy to the information, meaning that premiums for even unconvicted underworld figures could soar. Herald Scotland reports Strathclyde’s assistant chief constable, George Hamilton, [...]
QuestGates has announced a number of appointments and promotions at a senior level, due to its substantial growth over the last two years. The Business Development and Account Management functions are combined and will now be handled by Alistair Steward. Overarching responsibility for the Property and Counter Fraud Divisions will be taken on by Ross [...]
Specialist home insurer Hiscox has commissioned research revealing that almost 10% of those surveyed have been burgled at Christmas. In light of this, the insurer has issued some basic tips to help reduce the risk of this festive felony befalling homeowners. Hiscox home insurance expert Austyn Tusler has stated that some basic security measures can [...]
Marsh today announced that it has boosted its Norwegian energy practice through the appointment of two of the country’s most experienced insurance brokers to its Oslo-based team. Both Grete Henaes and Tormod Hareide will report to Jim Paddon, Head of Marsh’s Scandinavian Energy team. Ms Henaes will join Marsh as senior vice president, Global Energy [...]
Aon Benfield has appointed Jing Ping Zhang as head of facultative for the firm’s China operations. Mr Zhang will be responsible for building the facultative team, driving strategy and business production, and expanding the reinsurer’s facultative footprint within the Chinese market. Having joined the group in 2002, he has spent the last two years based [...]
Broker-only specialty lines MGA Manchester Underwriting Management (MUM) has announced a further enhancement of its product range for brokers with the launch of its D&O product, which will be available to all UK and Irish brokers with MUM facilities. Offering Lloyd’s security, MUM’s new D&O product is designed to cover the vast majority of UK [...]
Willis has reported that investment income in the Protection and Indemnity (P&I) market that provides shipowners with marine legal liability cover bounced back to $680 million in 2009/10, after record losses cost the market $840 million in 2008/09. In its latest P&I Market Review, the firm reports an overall underwriting deficit of only 1% for [...]
The Treasury wants insurers, banks and other financial services providers to come up with a range of “simple” products that will help consumers become more responsible. In a consultation document published yesterday, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Mark Hoban MP, set out the proposals commenting: “The Government is committed to helping consumers take responsibility for [...]
Property owners are increasingly looking to take out insurance coverage to protect against the risk of squatters occupying their properties, according to Aviva. The internet is being exploited by squatters to provide information regarding vacant properties and their legal rights. In response to the rising problem the Home Office has released guidance for concerned property [...]
Somerset headquartered Higos Insurance Services has appointed Chris Scott as Retail Branch Director, as the company continues in the expansion of its High Street insurance broker presence. Based in the company’s Wells head office, the newly created role will see Scott responsible for the day-to-day running and development of all the group’s branches. Higos currently [...]
International general insurance and reinsurance group Brit Insurance has announced the appointment of Gerry Ross to the UK Commercial Motor team as a commercial motor underwriter. He leaves behind Allianz, where he started working in 2002 as a graduate trainee, to join Brit Insurance. During his career he has occupied a range of roles, mostly [...]
Staysure.co.uk, a specialist insurance, financial services and travel provider for the over 50s,has announced the appointment of Alan Waddington to head up its new range of health and life insurance products, including Private Medical Insurance, Critical Illness Cover and Income Protection. Alan has a wealth of experience in the financial services sector having a track [...]
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has plans to launch a market study into private healthcare, examining the nature of competition in the market. Preliminary research by the watchdog has raised questions about whether the sector, which is currently worth more than £5.5 billion, is working well for consumers. The OFT is therefore proposing to [...]
Aviva UK Health has announced a series of enhancements to its group income protection (GIP) cover, including the introduction of a new escalation rate which will see payments measured against the Retail Price Index (capped at 2.5%). New customers will also benefit from an employee assistance programme, which will be picked up by existing customers [...]
Liberty International Underwriters in Europe (LIU Europe) has bolstered its Strategic Assets Division with the appointment of Michael Shen as a senior underwriter. In his new post Shen will be based in London, and will report directly to Vice President Matthew Hogg. He joins LIU from a major international insurer, where he was responsible for [...]
Specialist lines underwriting agency, CFC today announces the appointment of Tom Chaplin to head underwriting for its expanding recruitment division. Tom joins after eight years at Dallas Kirkland (Professions) where he was an Associate Director. He moved to the recruitment specialist soon after its inception, having previously worked for regional broker Bland Bankart. The expansion [...]
After the early onset of winter weather, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) has issued advice to those going away on holiday during Christmas and New Year to reduce the risks of burst pipes. Burst pipes can cost thousands of pounds, but the chances of them occurring can be diminished by a number of simple [...]
Leading specialist loss adjuster QuestGates has been selected by Allianz to provide it with long term Motor Fraud investigation services. Under the terms of the contract QuestGates will provide Allianz with a wide range of investigation services involving complex first and third party losses. Allianz recently undertook a comprehensive six month review of its suppliers [...]
