Ageas
Axa ready for referrals ‘hurt’
Axa UK’s decision to stop accepting referral fees will “hurt” it in the short term and lose it several millions of pounds in income, but it is looking to the “longer-term prize” of getting bodily injury claims under control, according to personal lines…
Incisive Media cleans up at the Biba Awards 2011
Journalists from Post and sister title Insurance Age topped three categories and received four highly commended awards at the British Insurance Brokers’ Association’s 2011 journalist of the year awards.
Hastings eyes Aviva and Allianz in 2012 IPO push
Hastings Direct's panel of insurers has more than doubled in size since a management buyout 18 months ago, with more firms due to sign up this year, as it eyes one million policies.
PE-backed firm targets GI with ex-Rias head
Online financial services sales and marketing firm Media Ingenuity is in discussion with insurers to support a push into the general insurance personal lines space. It follows the recruitment of the former head of commercial management at Rias and head…
Westinsure reveals SME insurer deals
Broker network Westinsure has secured a range of SME deals with insurers for members that currently transact more than £100m of business in the sector. The new deals are designed primarily to cover package and small combined products and offer a…
CII Blog: Tesco leaves carrot and stick on shelf
At an insurance conference I attended 10 years ago, delegates were given a challenge to "think like a retailer". Specifically, they were asked to consider what Tesco would be discussing at their annual conference. Store openings, layouts, product lines,…
Ageas to hike household rates to emulate motor
Ageas is set to continue hiking rates on its household insurance, on top of the 10% it has already pushed through in the first quarter of 2011, in a bid to replicate the improved combined ratio already seen in its UK private motor performance.
View from the top: Together we're stronger
It's always good to reflect back on the Biba conference, given how quickly it goes when you're there.
Insurers fight to avoid ash cloud backlash
As Post went to press, insurers were racing to publicly outline their claims positions on the latest volcanic ash eruption, in a bid to avoid the media backlash the industry suffered 12 months ago. More than a year after the extensive disruption caused…
Insurers state position on ash cloud cover
Aviva and Ageas have updated customers on the potential impact of the Icelandic volcano.
Hebburn and Hiscox among winners at first ever Claims Awards
Roy Hebburn, divisional claims manager (technical) at Allianz was handed the inaugural achievement award at last night’s Claims Awards ceremony.
Ageas UK non-life back in profit in Q1 as motor COR improves 14.5%
Ageas' non-life has reported a non life profit before tax of £3.9m for the first quarter of 2011, a £9.2m improvement over the same period last year.
Allianz focus on channel lines rather than regions
Allianz Retail has unveiled a new strategy that the business, ultimately, hopes will lead to more cross-selling among its personal lines brokers.
Editor's comment: Beware the brain drain
Sometimes it's good to go against the grain — it can signal creativity, innovation and a desire to differentiate. And then there are the times when mirroring market trends undoubtedly brings the best outcome for individuals concerned.
Fitch affirms Ageas Holding and operating companies
Fitch Ratings has affirmed AG Insurance's Insurer Financial Strength (IFS) rating at 'A+' and long-term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at 'A'.
Allianz rules out Part VII transfer
Allianz has ruled out following Aviva and Royal Bank of Scotland Insurance in applying to the High Court for a Part VII transfer under the Financial Services and Markets Act.
Roundtable - Cloud computing: head in the clouds
The term 'cloud computing' is very much in vogue. Post gathered together technology and insurance industry experts to debate whether the industry is ready to seize the opportunities it can offer. Amy Ellis reports.
500 to join Ageas in dedicated Tesco centre
Ageas is set to employ 500 staff in its dedicated claims handling office in Newcastle for its Tesco Underwriting venture within the next five years.
Ageas completes retail management line up
Ageas has named Nick Lemans as finance director as part of a raft of new hires in its retail division.
Castle Cover buy 'opportunistic' for Ageas
Ageas' acquisition of Primary Group's over-50s insurance specialist Castle Cover for £52.8m was "opportunistic" according to chief executive Barry Smith.
RBSI to learn from past experience
Royal Bank of Scotland Insurance has claimed its new partnership with Sainsbury's Finance will benefit from the lessons it learnt from its failure to retain former partner Tesco Bank.
Editor's Comment: Fairy godmothers and streets paved with gold?
Unfamiliar with the taste of success when it comes to lobbying for reform in the personal injury arena, insurers across the UK may still be waiting for the ‘Bobby Ewing in the shower’ moment.
Post Blog: not so sweet on a supermarket sweep
This week Esure became the latest insurance group to shrug of the loss of a multi-million pound deal with one of the UK's largest supermarket chains, with a response which might as well have come from Little Britain's Vicky Pollard.
Post blog: not so sweet on a supermarket sweep
This week Esure became the latest insurance group to shrug of the loss of a multi-million pound deal with one of the UK's largest supermarket chains, with a response which might as well have come from Little Britain's Vicky Pollard.