This week in Post: Do or delay

The move is likely to see the portal’s debut pushed back to the Autumn, once the government has finalised rules for how it will be used.

Also in the news this week, Storm Dennis caused a claims surge across the UK, following hot on the heels of the previous weekend’s Storm Ciara.

The London Market Group expressed disappointment after the wholesale market was chided on culture and modernisation in a Financial Conduct Authority report.

Bollington suspended trading with unrated Danish insurer Gefion. Chris Patterson, Bollington boss, confirmed it continues to offer all lines despite the split.

Ageas saw profits hit by 2019’s restructuring costs and its underperforming motor book. The insurer entered a tie up with Post Office on home insurance.

Ardonagh revealed its intentions to buy Saga’s motor broker Bennetts, in a deal that has long been predicted to be on the cards.

In people moves, Managing General Agents’ Association managing director Peter Staddon is set to retire at the end of June; Inga Beale has been elected to Crawford’s board; and Scott Gunter, formerly of Chubb, replaces Greg Hendrick as CEO of Axa XL.

In analysis, David Worsfold dissected 19^th Century Insurance frauds, from the devious and dastardly to the downright deathly.

Our blogs this week featured a look at growth through schemes, penned by RSA’s John Dawe. Neil Stothert, MD at RSK Raw, wrote that insurers should be sharing data on flood risks with companies in their supply chains.

Post content director Jonathan Swift ruminated on Swedish meatballs and asked whether Ikea’s home insurance venture with Swiss Re will be a success. And I blogged on why the City watchdog is right to identify current culture and technology as harms in the wholesale market, despite protest from within London.

In the latest Motor Mouth podcast, Andrew Cox, detective superintendent of the Metropolitan Police, discussed tackling the scourge of uninsured driving.

As part of Post’s Driving out Distraction campaign we are calling on the industry to join together and pledge to stamp out distracted driving. Please do take a look and see how you can take part. This week the very real risks driving can pose were brought home to the Post team, as claims reporter Pamela Kokoszka was involved in a collision while walking to work. Pam is recovering in hospital and would like to convey her thanks to everyone who has sent their best wishes.

That’s all from us for this week,

Jen Frost, news editor

@JenInsurance