Articles by Scott McGee
Direct Line brand goes live on Compare the Market
The Direct Line brand is now live and quoting on price comparison website Compare the Market.
Q&A: Lauren France, DWF Law
After being named Unsung Hero of the Year at the British Insurance Awards 2024, DWF's specialist manager and deputy head of organised fraud Lauren France talks about the work being done to combat fraud, what threats are on the horizon, and how new…
Elon Musk takes aim at Aviva’s Amanda Blanc
Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO and owner of social media platform X, has labelled "people like" Amanda Blanc, group CEO of Aviva, as "racist" in a tweet referencing comments she made last year.
Ardonagh valued at $14bn following investment from Stone Point Capital
The Ardonagh Group has secured an equity investment from funds managed by US-based private equity firm Stone Point Capital LLC.
Ageas agrees Saga partnership and Acromas acquisition
Saga plc and Ageas have reached a deal to establish a 20-year partnership for motor and home insurance.
Aviva and Acturis partner to simplify claims process
Aviva has launched its application programming interface with Acturis, designed to streamline the claims process for brokers.
Two approaches to premium finance transparency: What next?
The larger premium finance providers have set their stalls out when it comes to transparency. What does it mean moving forward?
FCA reviews leave insurance firms with hefty bill
A recent freedom of information request by Sicsic Advisory has revealed insurers and intermediaries paid a total of £2.7m for FCA-commissioned skilled persons reviews in the latest financial year.
Supreme Court grants appeal on motor finance decision
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear the appeal from Close Brothers and Firstrand Bank relating to three cases around motor finance.
Ecclesiastical to launch around 12 schemes next year
Chris Withers, schemes and facilities director for Ecclesiastical has predicted the insurer will launch around 12 schemes by the end of 2025.
Close Brothers updates commission requirements for personal lines
After telling brokers to ask for permission from commercial customers in order for it to pay premium finance commission, Insurance Post can reveal Close Brothers is adopting a similar approach for personal lines.
Millions of Brits priced out of car insurance
Research by Citizens Advice has revealed that 2.6 million people don’t drive because they’re unable to afford the accelerating cost of car insurance, a figure which has jumped by almost one million in the last 12 months.
Gallagher confirms $13.45bn AssuredPartners purchase
Arthur J Gallagher & Co today (9 December) announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire AssuredPartners for $13.45bn (£10.5bn).
Gallagher close to agreeing $12bn deal for AssuredPartners
Reports have suggested Gallagher is close to agreeing a deal to bring AssuredPartners into the group, with a deal worth about $12bn (£9.4bn).
Direct Line accepts £3.6bn bid from Aviva
Direct Line Group has this morning confirmed it has reached a “preliminary agreement” on the financial terms of a potential acquisition of the entire share capital of Direct Line by Aviva.
All Amanda Blanc wants for Christmas is Direct Line
News editor view: Now a deal between Aviva and Direct Line Group has reached "preliminary agreement", Scott McGee looks at what the deal could mean for the future of the businesses and the wider market.
Insurance makes up almost half of FCA s166s for Q1
Financial Conduct Authority data has shown that of the 14 Skilled Persons Reports commissioned between 1 April and 30 June 2024, six were issued for insurance.
Re-emergence of Southampton: where insurance first docked
While the story of insurance is often traced back to old coffee houses in London in the 16th century, Scott McGee discovers insurance had a place in the UK hundreds of years before that as he explores the re-emergence of its original hub in the UK:…
Gallagher promotes for three northern regional MDs
Gallagher has made a series of leadership appointments in its UK and Ireland retail division, all of which operate in the north of England, and Scotland, covering 14 regional offices and 750 people.
Zurich buys AIG’s global travel insurance business
Zurich has completed a deal to take AIG’s global personal travel insurance and assistance business for USD $600m (£473m), plus a potential earn-out payment.
Government accused of rebranding leasehold ‘commission’ as ‘fees’
Yesterday (2 December) the government opened up a consultation looking for feedback regarding permitted fees for landlords, freeholders and property managing agents.
Ageas announces raft of personal lines hires
Ageas UK has today announced changes to its executive leadership team, as it commits to growing in the personal lines broker market.
Is a Direct Line sale an inevitability?
Briefing: Even though it said it will not “engage further” after Aviva’s takeover attempt, is a Direct Line Group sale an inevitability?
FCA softens enforcement transparency plans following feedback
The Financial Conduct Authority has today opened up its second phase of consultation surrounding its plans to name firms into which it opens up investigations.