United Kingdom (UK)
BGL targets million policy mark for renewed Lloyds motor insurance deal
Compare the Market owner BGL Group is aiming to grow its partnership with Lloyds Banking Group to one million policies as the pair signed a five year extension on their exclusive motor and commercial vehicle insurance deal, Post can reveal.
Redefining diversity for growth and resilience in insurance
To survive and thrive in uncertainty, to shore up organisational resilience and remain innovative, insurance firms must embrace diversity and meaningfully embed it in their culture and operating model.
Wales flood claims volume low so far as UK braces for storms
Loss adjusters are on standby following flooding in parts of Wales yesterday, as the Met Office warned of storms across the United Kingdom.
Abbey and Autoline merger to create £119m GWP acquisitive firm
The merger of Northern Ireland brokers Abbey Insurance and Autoline Insurance as Abbey Autoline on 1 September will create a £119m gross written premium growth focused firm that has an eye for striking takeover deals, managing director of the newly…
UK property pricing up 16% in Q2: Marsh
Global commercial insurance prices rose 19% in the second quarter of 2020, research by Marsh has revealed.
Analysis: Returning the dead to rest – a pandemic repatriation problem
With air traffic grounded and sweeping restrictions halting travel during the Covid-19 pandemic, insurers have faced up to the sometimes impossible task of returning policyholders' remains to their home countries and families.
Flood Re's Andy Bord on how climate change will affect flood risk
After the floods last November, I visited Doncaster to see how the town was coping with the aftermath of the floods. While I was impressed by the swift recovery efforts of insurers, the local council and government agencies, I was also struck by just how…
CII teams up with UEA to promote insurance careers
The Chartered Insurance Institute has joined forces with the University of East Anglia to help students develop a career in insurance through a programme that includes substantial savings on CII qualifications.
Watchstone launches £63m claim against PWC following S&G settlement
Watchstone, formerly Quindell, has filed a £63m damages claims against PWC, alleging the firm breached contract and opened an “unauthorised and illicit” channel of communication with a corporate finance adviser to Slater & Gordon in relation to the 2015…
Ardonagh completes Bennetts buy as CMA orders no integration
The Competition and Markets Authority has ordered Ardonagh not to integrate with Bennetts, transfer control or stop competing with it as the consolidator completed the deal to buy the motorcycle specialist.
Blog: Playing catch-up - the state of digital talent in the UK insurance industry
The UK insurance workforce has a lower share of digital skills than that of other industries according to Kapil Chandry, senior partner, and Tom Welchman, partner, at McKinsey. Now they say is the moment to act.
Analysis: Beirut blast – cost of humanitarian crisis could top $10bn
The explosion in Beirut, Lebanon at around 6pm local time on Tuesday 4 August tragically killed at least 157 people and wounded another 5000, with more than a hundred still missing as rescue efforts continue.
Second quarter performance pushes Ageas UK COR below 100%
Ageas UK has reported a post-tax profit of £22.8m for the first half of 2020 reversing a loss of £2.7m in the first quarter.
Blog: Covid-19 and the impact of emerging risks on the art market
The art market has a Covid-sized hole in its sales. Going online may be the key to its future – but it’s risky. Robert Read, head of fine art at Hiscox, explains why insurers can help.
I-Wonder stakes claim for industry first with Sorn site
I-Wonder has partnered with Go Compare for the launch of a Sorn insurance comparison service.
Claims Apprentice 2020: Episode four – Insurtech challenge
With Team KDA emerging as the winners of the podcast challenge, the apprentices now move onto their next task.
Aviva planning aggregator motor roll out after Confused pilot
Aviva is targeting this autumn for the next stage of its move onto aggregators after a trial with Confused, Colm Holmes, Aviva CEO of general insurance, told Post.
Editor's comment: End of the road or new opportunity for insurtechs?
The rumours and water cooler conversations began in July 2019 as soon as it was confirmed market stalwart Amanda Blanc had left Zurich after only nine months.
Amanda Blanc promises to shake up Aviva
It is abundantly clear that “meaningful change” is needed to unlock Aviva’s potential, according to CEO Amanda Blanc.
Penny Black's Social World: August 2020
Claims & Fraud Awards, charity challenges and sustainability week
Blog: Coronavirus, or how I learned to stop worrying and love the hardening market
A hard market is traditionally where specialist insurers and forward-thinking capacity providers thrive. As such Floodflash co-founder Ian Bartholomew is confident new resilient insurance businesses will emerge from the post-pandemic economic downturn
RSA cutting 300 roles
RSA has announced a voluntary redundancy programme as part of a process designed to reduce its headcount by the equivalent of 300 full time roles.
Markerstudy 'surprised' by union criticism as it confirms Co-op redundancies
Markerstudy's purchase of Co-op’s underwriting business could lead to up to 300 redundancies, with the group telling Post it has committed to keeping 700 staff and is actively engaging with Unite the union.
Business enquiries down 14% on last year at Allianz
While market conditions are slowly recovering in the wake of the coronavirus lockdown, the volume of new enquiries for commercial policies remain substantially lower than were last year, according to Allianz Insurance.