Royal London faces up to data protection breach
by Gill Montia
Story link: Royal London faces up to data protection breach
Royal London Mutual Insurance Society has been rapped over the knuckles by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) after breaching the Data Protection Act.
The reprimand comes after eight of the firm’s laptops, two of which contained details of 2,135 people who had sought pension scheme illustrations, were stolen from the company’s Edinburgh offices.
The data were [...]
Simple launches caravan insurance via jml
by Gill Montia
Story link: Simple launches caravan insurance via jml
Simple has announced that its new caravan insurance offering is now being promoted on the jml-insurance.co.uk web site.
The product is aimed at the owners of the UK’s 498,000 touring caravans; 112,000 motorhomes and 335,000 caravan holiday homes (figures from the National Caravan Council).
Cover is available under two policies: Simple Static Caravan Insurance and Simple Touring [...]
Thornside selected for Shop Direct pet insurance
by Gill Montia
Story link: Thornside selected for Shop Direct pet insurance
Thornside has been selected by Shop Direct Group to provide online pet insurance through the group’s Littlewoods.com and Very.co.uk brands.
The firm, which is part of the Capita Group, already provides pet insurance for Shop Direct’s customers over the phone, and managing director, David Seel, says he is delighted to be supporting the development of [...]
New challenge for Equitable Life policyholders
by Gill Montia
Story link: New challenge for Equitable Life policyholders
Furious Equitable Life policyholders are rejecting the latest proposed offer of compensation, as set out in a new report by Sir John Chadwick.
In 2008, Parliamentary Ombudsman Ann Abraham recommended the establishment of a scheme that would consider individual claims for compensation from those who lost money when the failed mutual came close to collapse ten [...]
LIU Europe expands into Birmingham
by Gill Montia
Story link: LIU Europe expands into Birmingham
Commercial lines insurer, Liberty International Underwriters Europe (LIU Europe), is expanding its operations into Birmingham with the appointment of Dave Canning as regional senior underwriter.
In his new post, Mr Canning will focus on establishing LIU Europe in the Birmingham area, drawing on his previous experience of underwriting liability business for a number of major insurers [...]
LIU Europe appoints head of Strategic Assets unit
by Gill Montia
Story link: LIU Europe appoints head of Strategic Assets unit
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 Europe from Marsh [...]
Half of Britons unfulfilled at work
by Gill Montia
Story link: Half of Britons unfulfilled at work
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 make a [...]
Jacksons to launch virtual claims department
by Gill Montia
Story link: Jacksons to launch virtual claims department
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 by [...]
Hastings opens first High Street branch
by Gill Montia
Story link: Hastings opens first High Street branch
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 names Charity of the Year
by Gill Montia
Story link: Kwik Fit names Charity of the Year
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 raising funds [...]
Auger launches DrainShield UK
by Gill Montia
Story link: Auger launches DrainShield UK
Auger is claiming an industry first with the launch of a new insurance-backed warranty scheme.
The drainage inspection specialist has developed DrainShield UK, an independent, stand-alone, decade-long warranty on any work carried out by the firm.
Cover applies across both the commercial and domestic property sectors and is transferable from one property owner to another.
Best of [...]
Halo launches with car rental excess cover
by Gill Montia
Story link: Halo launches with car rental excess cover
Halo Insurance Services has been launched today.
The underwriting agency, which is backed by Bridges Ventures and Magenta Partners, will focus on niche personal lines offerings for both wholesale and retail customers.
The firm has set out with a suite of car hire excess products available through brokers and affinity partners under the Halo Insurance brand, and [...]
Sterling appoints senior HNW underwriter
by Gill Montia
Story link: Sterling appoints senior HNW underwriter
Sterling Insurance has recruited Jane Flaherty as senior high net worth (HNW) underwriter in the Midlands.
Ms Flaherty will be responsible for underwriting Sterling’s Executive Home and Executive Plus HNW products for brokers in the region, while at the same time supporting business growth.
Previously she spent eight years underwriting and growing Hiscox’s HNW account in the [...]
Towergate opens Newcastle office
by Gill Montia
Story link: Towergate opens Newcastle office
Towergate Underwriting is offering an enhanced service to its brokers in the North East and Cumbria, having opened an office in Newcastle.
Branch manager Jon Hipkin, who has over 20 years’ experience supporting brokers across the region, has been appointed to lead a team of locally recruited underwriters.
The group says the move demonstrates its commitment to [...]
Santander promotes home insurance with mortgage offer
by Gill Montia
Story link: Santander promotes home insurance with mortgage offer
Santander is promoting its “Peace of Mind” home insurance with an offer to its mortgage applicants and borrowers.
They need only request a full home insurance quote from the lender by 7th March to be entered into a prize draw that could relieve them of monthly mortgage repayments of up to £1,000 for a year.
The Spanish [...]
Cornish Mutual appoints inspectors
by Gill Montia
Story link: Cornish Mutual appoints inspectors
Exeter-based Cornish Mutual has appointed two new inspectors to service members across Devon.
Nick Wales and Janet Bailey are joining a team that provides general insurance services to rural communities across Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset.
Mr Wales is taking over from Gordon Chapple, who has retired after 21 years with the company, and will be [...]
1 Answer launches non-standard household cover
by Gill Montia
Story link: 1 Answer launches non-standard household cover
1 Answer Network has teamed up with specialist insurer, Avantia, to offer its members access to non-standard household insurance.
The personal lines network is confident that homeprotect will enable brokers to meet the needs of many property owners who are refused cover or face high premiums.
Those with previous flood claims, properties built on flood plains or [...]
Towergate acquires John Charcol
by Gill Montia
Story link: Towergate acquires John Charcol
Towergate Partnership has acquired independent mortgage broker, John Charcol, via its Towergate Financial unit.
Under the terms of the deal, all John Charcol staff and directors will be making the move to Towergate Financial and CEO, John Garfield, will then work closely with Towergate Financial CEO, Ian Darby, to grow the business.
The acquisition supports Towergate Financial’s [...]
Five-year-old cars excel in claims ratings
by Gill Montia
Story link: Five-year-old cars excel in claims ratings
Drivers of cars that have passed their fifth birthday are being alerted to the fact that they belong to the UK’s “most likely to claim” group of motorists.
According to Virgin Money Car Insurance, 9.6% of all motor claims processed by the firm were from drivers of five-year-old cars, with four-year-old cars following closely behind.
However, it [...]
Torus raises $185m to support expansion
by Gill Montia
Story link: Torus raises $185m to support expansion
Torus has secured a $185 million injection of cash that will be used to support continued expansion.
Subject to regulatory approval, the move will increase the speciality insurer’s equity capital to over $1 billion.
US-based Corsair Capital is providing $150 million of the cash, which will be topped up from private equity funds managed by Torus’ majority [...]
