Commercial
Record £10.5bn of M&A in 2020 and smaller deals on the up, says Imas
There was a record £10.5bn of UK insurance distribution mergers and acquisitions in 2020, according to research by Imas, Post can reveal.
Briefing: BI claims portals a savvy loss adjuster initiative – but policyholders feel they are stuck ironing out kinks
Loss adjusters have created portals to deal with a deluge of business interruption claims, but some under pressure policyholders are struggling to get to grips with their requirements – can the industry do more to help?
Blog: Underinsurance in a hardening market
Alistair Steward, Questgates director, mulls the problem of underinsurance for businesses facing a hardening market.
GRP strikes biggest deal since Searchlight investment with Marsh Networks buy
Global Risk Partners has agreed to buy Marsh’s UK networks for an undisclosed sum in a deal expected to close next quarter.
Concerns flagged that directors' liabilities under audit reform may be uninsurable
Forthcoming audit reforms that will make directors, rather than boards, personally responsible for the accuracy of company financial statements might not be insurable, the Forum of Insurance Lawyers has warned.
Fully Comp: One month on, how much clarity has the Supreme Court BI ruling actually brought?
For the twelfth episode of Post’s video series we gathered a group of experts together to consider the ruling in the Financial Conduct Authority business interruption test case.
UK Insurer Hot Seat 100: who has been at the top the longest?
Post has compiled a list of the 100 highest profile people working at the top for UK general insurers, Lloyd’s vehicles, international insurers with a UK presence, regulators, trade bodies and markets based on how long they have been in the hot seat.
Hiscox Action Group warns insurers may seek to ‘read down’ BI ruling
Insurers have responded to draft declarations regarding the Supreme Court’s January business interruption ruling, with the Hiscox Action Group flagging concerns that they may seek to “read down” the judgment.
Intelligence: Performance reviews
A few years ago Net Promoter Scores were a buzzword in insurance feedback. However, after a year where the sector has suffered repeatedly from bad headlines over business interruption and Covid-19 payouts, Post asks if firms still want to hear about how…
Ex-FCA boss Chris Woolard joins EY
Former interim CEO of the Financial Conduct Authority Chris Woolard will join EY this April to lead its Europe, Middle East, India and Africa financial services regulatory capabilities and chair the EY global financial services regulatory network, the…
Ratings agencies see ‘meaningful debate’ between insurers and reinsurers over Covid-19 recoveries
Experts have reiterated that insurer ratings are unlikely to be hit by the outcome of the Supreme Court’s Covid-19 business interruption claims ruling but noted that there will “meaningful debate” over how much insurers can claim from their reinsurers.
For the Record: Jensten moves closer to £500m target; Laka unveils European HQ; start-up Mosaic opens for business and SRG acquires again
Post wraps up the major insurance deals, launches, investments and strategic moves of the week.
Engineers carrying out cladding assessments will be able to avail of state-backed PI cover
The government has committed to a state-backed indemnity scheme for fire safety engineers who are unable to obtain professional indemnity insurance, as it announced an additional £3.5bn in funding for the removal of cladding from buildings 18m in height…
Analysis: Calmer waters in yacht market
Post investigates how the yacht market has reacted to the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit, and asks what comes next after years of market hardening and consolidation.
Insurance affordability and availability issues do not equate to market failure: ABI's James Dalton
The Covid-19 pandemic has not led to market failures in the UK insurance sector, James Dalton, director of general insurance policy at the Association of British Insurers, has said.
Blog: The business interruption imbalance – and the role of advice
Bruce Hepburn, CEO of Mactavish, argues that the business interruption fallout stems from an imbalance, and questions broker accountability over advice.
Interview: Christian Formby, Assurant
Assurant’s Europe boss Christian Formby tells Post how he came into the role, explains the growth opportunities for its B2B2C connected home, lifestyle and car offering and discusses how it faces competition from all angles, despite having no similar…
Disputes over furlough deductions from BI claims continue as adjusters and assessors call for clear guidance
Loss adjusters and assessors have called on the government and regulators to publish clear guidance on how government support received by businesses is to be treated in respect of lockdown-related interruption claims.
Biba unveils 'resilience' theme for 2021 manifesto
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has launched its 2021 manifesto with the heading of ‘Resilience’ as it highlighted the ways it said brokers can help as the UK adapts to a post-pandemic normal after Brexit.
Zurich’s Richard Pash says insurers must follow as going green becomes mainstream for consumers
With environmental concerns front and centre for consumers when making their buying decisions Richard Pash, UK chief customer officer for Zurich, argues that the insurance industry needs to understand the issues and deliver relevant, specific and…
Kelly Lyles joins insurtech Cytora
Cytora has added Kelly Lyles former CEO of client and country management at Axa XL to its advisory board.
Intelligence: State insurance - The last resort
The global pandemic of 2020 saw insurers stepping back from coverage in some areas of the market and led to calls of a Pandemic Re backed by the government. Post asks if the government can and should step into the void as the insurer of last resort
Analysis: More uncertainty for BI policyholders over losses beyond first lockdown
Many business interruption policyholders may only be able to claim for losses suffered during last year’s first coronavirus lockdown, with cover for subsequent losses depending on factors such as the wordings of their policies and their renewal date.
For the record: Ardonagh swoops for PI broker; ERS in ILS push; First 4 Lawyers launches RTA law firm; Marsh partnership and McLarens acquires
Post wraps up the major insurance deals, launches, investments and strategic moves of the week.