News
This week: Zooming into the headlines
As the UK looks forward to its first bank holiday with lockdown restrictions beginning to ease in England and plans published in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland it is time to look back at the top stories of the week.
Trio of insurtechs raise almost £20m as market warned of slowdown in investments
A trio of insurtechs have confirmed early-stage fund raising of almost £20m only one week after the market was warned to expect a slowdown in investment due to Covid-19.
Ex-Besso boss Bird joins EC3 Brokers
EC3 Brokers has appointed former Besso CEO and chairman Colin Bird to work alongside senior management.
BGL Group founder Douw Steyn tops insurance rich list
BGL Group founder Douw Steyn, former Saga bosses Sir Roger and Peter De Haan and Admiral founder Henry Engelhardt are among 16 industry figures to make the latest Sunday Times Rich List.
Insurance Covid-Cast episode 15: Has there been a rise in cyber threats and scams during coronavirus lockdown?
In the latest episode of Post and Insurance Age’s video series we gathered together a group of cyber experts to discuss how hackers and scammers are using Covid-19 to prey on people’s thirst for knowledge and information at this time.
Trio of winter firm failures inflate insurer contributions to FSCS levy
General insurers will pay £8m more in Financial Services Compensation Scheme levy contributions than previously anticipated due to the recent failure of three firms.
Ardonagh outlines coronavirus lockdown impact
Ardonagh Group has revealed a 1% drop in income year-on-year in April, pointing to a limited impact from the Covid-19 crisis as adjusted Ebitda rose to £20.7m.
Educating and representing during Covid-19: How insurance trade and training bodies are operating remotely
There has been a lot of focus on how different insurance companies have responded to the Covid-19 pandemic, but what about the representative and educational organisations that are part of the lifeblood of the sector? Post content director Jonathan Swift…
Towergate strikes first buys of 2020
Towergate Insurance Brokers has bought the Education Staff Absence insurance book from Integro and snapped up farm insurance specialist Edwards & Swan Insurance Brokers.
Aviva predicts £200m in Covid-19 BI claims
Aviva has predicted it will see £200m in business interruption claims net of reinsurance.
Hospitality businesses gear up for group action against Aviva and QBE
Aviva and QBE face multimillion pound claims from a group of hospitality businesses that were denied cover when they sought to recoup pandemic-related losses.
London Market report shows steady commercial share but reinsurance declines
The London Market was responsible for $110bn (£89.7bn) of premium in 2018 with 8.1% year on year core growth across property, casualty and financial lines, according to the latest research by the London Market Group.
Aviva names George Culmer as chairman
Aviva has appointed George Culmer as chairman to replace Sir Adrian Montague on 27 May after its annual general meeting.
Ferma mulls call for pan-European pandemic solution
Future events causing non-damage business interruption losses on the scale seen during the coronavirus pandemic could require a pan-European approach in addition to national pools and solutions, the president of the Federation of European Risk Management…
Premium finance bosses hail 'smooth' transition to latest guidance
The introduction of further guidance on premium finance by the Financial Conduct Authority including three month payment deferrals for customers hit by the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic has gone well according to market players.
Beazley stock jumps 10% on news of £247m equity raise
Beazley’s stock price rose 10.3% in the first hour of trading this morning after the insurer announced that it had successfully raised £247m through the issuing of new shares.
Insurance Covid-Cast episode 14: Newsmaker special with Crawford & Company group chief executive Rohit Verma
In this Insurance Post and Insurance Age video cast brought to you while our journalists are working from home, we present the latest in a series of newsmaker specials focused on the people behind the lockdown headlines.
Axa, Bought By Many and WPA discussed why new technology alone will not save insurers but changing mind-sets to seize digital opportunities will
There has been a lot of discussion within the insurance community about using various new technologies to seize digital opportunities, but is simply investing in new technologies alone enough to ensure success?
Cooter completes half of portfolio with Qlaims chair role
Former Covéa Insurance commercial lines and high net worth director Simon Cooter has taken on the non-executive chair role at Qlaims, the holding company of technology provider Qlaimstech and managing general agent Qlaims Insurance.
Beazley looks to raise £247m through share placement
Beazley hopes to raise £247m through the placing and subscription of new shares representing 15% of the insurer’s existing issued share capital.
Insurance sector targets £100m with Covid-19 charity launch
The UK insurance and long-term savings industry has launched the Covid-19 Support Fund with £82.5m of its £100m target already pledged to help people hit hardest by the crisis.
Hiscox accused of confirming businesses' coronavirus cover then rejecting claims
Some businesses that have had coronavirus-related claims rejected by Hiscox were told in writing prior to lockdown that they would be covered, according to an action group challenging the insurer.
Axa’s Garance Wattez-Richard wins inaugural Geneva Association Women in Insurance Award
Axa Emerging Customers CEO Garance Wattez-Richard has won the first annual Geneva Association Women in Insurance Award for her work to tackle the insurance protection gap in emerging markets and protect underserved populations.
Insurance Covid-Cast episode 13: Litigation under lockdown - how are lawyers and insurers managing legal disputes during the coronavirus?
In the latest episode of Insurance Post and Insurance Age’s new video series brought to you while our journalists are working from home, we gathered together a group of lawyers and claims experts to discuss how they are managing dispute resolution and…