Ageas
Commentary - Winter freeze: Burst pipe problems
The industry is currently paying out an estimated £7m a day over burst pipe claims. Graeme Fitzpatrick asks if insurers are doing enough to help customers prevent them.
Staysure to double headcount in push
Over-50s insurance provider Staysure plans to more than quadruple the premium of its newly launched motor and home products to £5m and double its headcount to 90.
Damage management - Winter freeze: Preparing for problems in the frozen pipeline
With property claims surging due to the recent cold snap, Rachel Gordon looks into the specific challenges thrown up by freezing conditions for those tasked with managing the damage.
News analysis - OFT: Competition investigation ends in a 'damp squib'
Following a tip off from insurer RSA, the Office of Fair Trading looked into whether an Experian data analysis tool could create the potential for price fixing. Mairi MacDonald reports on the results of the lengthy investigation.
Aviva, RBSI, Axa and RSA climb down on data sharing after OFT investigation
Seven insurance companies and two IT software and service providers have provisionally agreed to limit the data that they exchange between them after the OFT raised competition law concerns.
Ageas retail boss hails potential after Devine promotion
Kwik Fit Financial Services managing director Brendan Devine is to manage Ageas' retail division's relationships with its insurer, aggregator and affinity partners, after taking on a new role within the group.
Kwik Fit boss Devine promoted in Ageas retail shake up
Ageas UK has today announced a series of key appointments to support the growth of its retail operations.
Castlecover founder Marchington departs over 50s insurance specialist
The founder and managing director of over 50’s insurance specialist Castlecover has departed the business, Postonline can exclusively reveal.
Fraud - travel database: Share and share alike
Though shared services are seen as important cost-cutting tools, initiatives have often failed to deliver projected savings. Richard Barrett explains why this happens and how insurers can maximise their returns.
General insurer review of the year: The nearly year
Jonathan Swift looks back over 12 months in which many market- changing events didn't materialise and finds out what industry leaders think may be in store for general insurance in 2011.
Poor claims delivery hits our integrity, say brokers
Brokers have raised concerns that insurers' willingness to pay claims has deteriorated in the last two years, with southwest broker Higos considering blacklisting insurers that undermine its integrity with clients by not paying claims.
RSA looking for repair supplier
RSA has kicked off a tender process to find a repair supplier for its commercial property claims, Post has learnt.
Interview - Bart de Smet: Return to fitness
Despite being one of the most high-profile casualties of the financial crisis, Ageas is now focusing on the future rather than the past. Jonathan Swift meets group CEO Bart De Smet to discuss its UK plans, acquisitions and why big is not necessarily…
Insurance landscape - Household past: Stiff competition
A perception exists that household claims lag behind motor claims in terms of innovation and new entrants are challenging the traditional loss adjusting model. Stephanie Denton examines the impact of this on the market.
Ageas MD Cliff slams 20-40% dual pricing differences
Mark Cliff, Ageas managing director, has criticised the market practice of dual pricing on new and renewal business and the “Christmas sales” where “slabs of increased commissions are introduced to bring in business”.
RTA Portal appoints new directors
The RTA Portal has appointed a number of its directors to its board including Graham Gibson of Allianz, Martin Ward of Royal Bank of Scotland Insurance and Richard Harris of Ageas.
Claims supplement: The faces of the new revolution
Claims are often said to be the shop window of the insurance industry, but with many firms stuck with legacy issues do new entrants have the greatest advantage when it comes to innovation. Stephanie Denton approached firms across four distinct sectors —…
ABI figures reveal insurer flood bill has rocketed 200% to £4.5bn
Figures published today by the Association of British Insurers show that the cost of flood damage since 2000 has leapt by 200% on the previous decade.
Ageas extends Property Consortium repair deal
Property Consortium UK is to work with Ageas to deliver a nationwide property repair service for its policyholders.
Ageas and Biba step up winter weather campaign for homes and businesses
Ageas and the British Insurance Brokers’ Association are building on their home and business ‘winter weather health check’ campaign launched last year to provide brokers with information to help customers avoid damage from an escape of water inside their…
Zurich implements Rok contingency plan
Zurich has established special outbound call centre teams in Cardiff and Whiteley to help policyholders affected by the closure of Rok’s maintenance business.
Ageas keen to developKwik Fit's niche brands
Ageas UK chief executive Barry Smith has pledged to retain and expand Kwik Fit Insurance Services' niche operations as it seeks to widen the group's overall product footprint.
Zurich loses Purple panel spot
The Purple Partnership has made the second change to its core commercial insurer panel since its launch almost three years ago.
Editor's comment: Rok's troubles raise issues
The news this week that building firm Rok had filed for administration will certainly have raised some questions among the insurance fraternity.