Broker
Penny black's insurance week
Penny was intrigued to discover the lengths to which people will go for insurance at Hiscox. On a recent visit to the insurer's City office, a chat with two underwriters uncovered some unusual clients on Hiscox's books — among them a balloon artist, and…
Scottish firms are upbeat about recruitment in 2010
The financial services industry in Scotland is showing signs of recovery, with recruitment set to rise and redundancies predicted to drop.
Diabetes & Dangerous driving: Motor functions
With the number of people in the UK being diagnosed with diabetes increasing dramatically, Ian Bridge says insurers should alert their motor customers to be more aware of the legal implications.
View from the Top: The money-go-round
I've had a go, on the back of a large envelope, at breaking down where the money goes that Mr Customer spends on his motor insurance. Just what happens to a typical £400 premium?
Interview - David McMillan: Time for the fine tuning
Aviva's chief executive of general insurance David McMillan has turned a bunch of losers — his son's football team — into winners. Daniel Dunkley discovers his plans for an insurer that is already top of the league in many sectors.
Self-service briefing: Satisfaction at stake
If you get self-service right, you will dramatically improve customer satisfaction. That was the claim of Aviva head of online experience Chris Abrathat who noted that when his business moved to this model, he was proud to have an average satisfaction…
Self-service briefing: 'Uniform customer' does not exist
Insurers looking to build a self-service strategy incorporating new technologies have been warned that "overload is rampant".
Self-service breifing: Insurers feline the 'meerkat effect'
Insurance customers have changed from behaving like dogs to cats, and are now turning into meerkats as a result of social networking and other technologies.
Self-service briefing: Lincoln outlines case for self-service
IBM Insurance Solutions executive Nick Lincoln kicked off proceedings by telling the audience he believed there is a fundamental case for self-service.
Self-service briefing: Comparison sites have no loyalty claims survey
Price comparison sites are failing to build up significant brand loyalty, given that many online shoppers continue to check more than one site before buying insurance. And, in some cases, they may even phone an insurer selected direct — in the belief…
SMEs look to go direct
A third of UK SMEs would rather buy business insurance direct, rather than via a broker. According to a new survey by QBE, only 16% of UK SMEs will look to the insurance industry for advice in the first six months of 2010.
THB vows to improve margin
THB has vowed to work on its broking margin and continue to expand overseas after profits remained static in 2009.
Barbon earnings up 20% on back of new business
Barbon has reported that its broking business saw annual profits grow by 2% to £42.7m last year, compared to 2008 (£41.9m).
Central eyes opportunities after £1.2m move
Aberdeen-based broker Central Insurance has hired former Aon, Willis and Axa staff to operate its new office in Glasgow, after investing £1.2m in the new venture.
Higos looks for heir to pick up acquisition mantel
Higos Insurance Services' managing director has outlined plans to recruit his successor and move to the role of chairman, as well as acquire five new brokers in the next 18 months.
WNS breaks into national broker market
WNS Assistance is to target the UK broker market after winning an outsourcing deal with Bluefin to manage its personal lines motor claims.
'Culture shift' sees 100 execs recruited
Towergate plans to bolster its broker sales force by recruiting 100 development executives this year, as part of its revised strategy to grow organically rather than through acquisition.
TIP linked to Oxygen trio
The Insurance Partnership has been linked with three members of Oxygen's corporate risks arm who recently resigned.
Hubbard quiet on UKG link
Former Axa Insurance chief executive Peter Hubbard has refused to rule himself out of the running to become the new boss of UK General.
Heath Lambert in race to be HSBC replacement
Heath Lambert has emerged as a frontrunner to replace HSBC Insurance Brokers as the UK representative of Assurex Global, Post has learnt.
Hoban pledges 'dedicated' resource for insurance
The Conservative Party has attempted to allay the insurance industry's fears that it will be tarred with the same brush as banks, if the party comes to power this year and scraps the current regulator, by promising 'dedicated resources' to the sector.
Miller in FTSE 250 drive
Independent broker Miller has hired the former chief executive of Aon Global UK, Ken MacDonald, to spearhead its expansion in the corporate risk sector.
CBG adds Hatton Promotions account
Broker CBG has signed a deal with boxing event promoter, Hatton Promotions.
Autotrader names Autonet as van insurance provider
Insurance broker Autonet has been named as the sole van insurance provider for Autotrader.