Articles by Callum Brodie
Flood grant could give rise to rogue trading, claims Trust Mark
Insurers are being advised to liaise with loss adjusters and local authorities to ensure flood-hit homeowners do not get ripped off by rogue trades when using the government’s £5000 repair and renewal grant.
Axa UK on track for 96% COR by 2015, claims CEO Evans
Axa UK and Ireland group chief executive Paul Evans is confident the business will achieve a combined operating ratio of 96% by 2015 after pointing to an improving motor COR of 99.1% as an indication transformation plans are paying off.
RSA partners with Caravan Guard on fifth wheel cover
Caravan Guard has responded to an increase in fifth wheel caravan enquiries by extending its portfolio to include the niche cover.
Skuld records 13% premium growth following P&I renewals
Skuld has achieved 13% premium growth following protection and indemnity renewals completed yesterday.
Business transformation bearing fruit as Axa UK GI COR dips below 100%
Axa UK and Ireland’s general insurance business recorded a combined operating ratio of 98.9% in 2013, despite reserve strengthening contributing 0.8 percentage points and a reduction in revenues to £3.7bn (2012: £3.8bn).
L&G makes personal lines motor debut after partnering with Junction
Legal & General has entered the personal lines motor market with the launch of a direct motor insurance proposition underwritten by a panel of insurers.
Innovation Group report highlights motor market evolution
Insurers must do more to put the customer at the heart of motor insurance following a year of unprecedented reform, according to Innovation Group sales director Ian Bowen.
Allianz and Jelf renew engineering insurance arrangement
Jelf has reached a ‘preferred partner’ deal with Allianz Engineering that will see the insurer provide a new three-year facility for the majority of the broker’s engineering insurance and inspection business.
Watson cautious on potential rate rise as Ageas suffers £20m flood loss
Ageas UK chief executive Andy Watson has poured cold water on expectations household rates will undergo an imminent rise in light of ongoing flooding, which has so far cost Ageas £20m.
Ex-Gallagher Heath client director Fulthorpe joins UK General
UK General has taken on former Gallagher Heath client director Peter Fulthorpe as commercial division sales manager in the Midlands, Wales and the South West.
Salaries rise 30% for insurance-focused compliance professionals
Compliance, risk and audit professionals working in the insurance sector will earn up to 30% more in 2014 as a result of a shift in regulatory expectations and evolving businesses strategies.
Besso appoints Cooper Gay & Company's Hovey as CFO
Independent Lloyd’s broker Besso Insurance Group has appointed Samantha Hovey as chief financial officer.
Ageas profits creep up 3% in a year of rates pressure
Ageas delivered a marginal increase in net profits of £85.2m in 2013 (2012: £82.9m) alongside a combined operating ratio of 98.4% (2012: 99.8%) in a year of underwriting discipline amid pressure on rates.
Insurers urged not to jump the gun in entering cosmetic interventions market
Industry warned over potential pitfalls of operating with inadequate expertise.
Gallagher Insurance Solutions opens Bournemouth 'super centre'
Arthur J Gallagher distribution arm Gallagher Insurance Solutions has created the broker’s largest UK base outside London by co-locating four businesses into a new ‘super centre’ in Bournemouth.
Aon's London mining boss Gilbert to join BMS Group
BMS Group has appointed the head of Aon’s London mining business Eddie Gilbert as divisional director of BMS Risk Solutions.
Elite plots expansion with recruitment of 10 new employees
Elite Insurance is to expand via the appointment of 10 new employees across claims, reinsurance, IT, administration, underwriting and operations.
Quindell a step closer to securing £300m of annual business
Quindell has confirmed it has secured more than half of the remaining £100m of £300m tied up in late stage negotiation for new contracts.
Ex-Barbon chair Drummond-Smith becomes Gallagher NED
Arthur J Gallagher has appointed former Barbon Insurance Group chairman Jamie Drummond-Smith to the role of non-executive director.
RSA unleashes pet claims management system
RSA has today launched a new pet claims management system in a bid to enhance its customer service.
Brightside seals exclusive partnership deal with Rated People
Specialist broker Brightside has launched an exclusive 12 month insurance partnership with, online trade recommendation service Rated People.
Brit achieves record COR following benign cat year
Brit Insurance chalked up a record combined operating ratio of 85.2% in its second full year since turning its focus to global specialty underwriting at Lloyd’s.
Appeal court's 'landmark decision' alleviates PI market pressure
The Court of Appeal’s decision to rule against the right of claimants to accept a pay-out awarded by the Financial Ombudsman Service before suing for the balance of loss in court will boost the embattled professional indemnity market, according to law…
Fraudster arrested in dawn raid receives suspended sentence
A fraudster who was arrested by the Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department during a dawn raid attended by Post received a suspended prison sentence at the Old Bailey today.