Alternative Business Structures (ABSs)
Ageas Law awarded Lexcel accreditation
Ageas Law, the alternative business structure established by Ageas in April 2013, has been awarded Lexcel status by the Law Society.
Esure reports steady results as it unveils ABS plans
Esure profits have grown 0.4% for the first half of 2014 with chairman Peter Wood praising the group's disciplined underwriting in difficult market conditions.
Oliver steps down as CEO of Parabis
Parabis Group has no immediate plans to appoint a successor to outgoing chief executive Tim Oliver, who is to become deputy chairman and take on a new non-executive board role.
Quindell sues Gotham City after research note sparks share price drop
Analysts urge outsourcer “to allay investors fears” ahead of main listing
Firms deny dodging referral fee ban as select committee prepares ABS report
MP concerned insurers are using alternative business structures to circumvent ban.
TSC chair Ellman raises ABS concerns
Select committee chair calls for ABS loophole scrutiny
Allianz approved for ABS with Serious Law
Allianz has been granted an Alternative Business Structure licence, and will launch a partnership with catastrophic personal injury specialists Serious Law.
DLG to launch legal services from March
Direct Line Group has been granted regulatory approval to launch a new legal services division as an alternative business structure.
Minster Law unveils new London office
BGL-owned Minster Law is launching a City-based team, in a bid to enhance its geographical reach.
Carole Nash unveils ABS following New Law partnership
Motorcycle broking specialist Carole Nash has teamed up with New Law to launch a legal services proposition under the name of Carole Nash Legal Services.
Watson defends Tesco Underwriting's GWP slump
Ageas UK chief executive Andy Watson has defended Tesco Underwriting’s £133m gross written premiums slump after posting a GWP of £341.1m for the first nine months of the year.
Whiplash: Choosing the right path
Several ideas have been suggested to alleviate insurers’ whiplash woes – but which method represents the best solution for all parties?
The Claims Event 2013
Claims managers fear hearing loss could become the ‘new whiplash’
Legal Market: Joining forces
Mergers and acquisitions in legal markets show no sign of abating. But what is behind the desire to consolidate law firms, and what does it mean for the insurance industry?
Pressure mounts on government to close referral fee ban loophole
Apil boss reminds insurers of responsibility not to profit from schemes.
Roundtable: Fraud: Seeking a knockout blow
How are recent changes to the legal landscape and calls for a more collaborative approach impacting the insurance industry’s fight against fraud?
Abbey Protection profits flat as ABS investment “yet to bear fruit”
Legal insurer Abbey Protection has recorded flat pre-tax profits of £5.2m for the first half of the year, noting both falling investment returns and a lack of return from its investment into an Alternative Business Structure license.
Admiral’s ABSs will not contribute 'materially' to group’s profits
Admiral’s joint legal ventures with Lyons Davidson and Cordner Lewis will not “make a material contribution in the foreseeable future”, according to the insurer’s chief financial officer Kevin Chidwick.
SGI Law acquires Challinors’ PI portfolio
Liverpool-based SGI Legal has acquired the personal injury caseload of Midlands-based firm Challinors.
SGI Legal gains ABS licence
Liverpool-based personal injury firm SGI Legal has been granted an alternative-business-structure licence, as part of its plan to reshape operations.
Q&A: Andy Watson: Happy days
Andy Watson reflects on his short time in charge of Ageas UK and discusses market issues, including the referral fees ban, regulation, telematics and recent job cuts in the sector.
View from the Top: The punchline? ABS is no joke
An insurance salesman and a lawyer walk into a bar – it certainly sounds like the beginning of a joke, but the new alternative business solution world is no laughing matter. What it is, in our view, is a major opportunity.
Aviva grilled over ABS ambitions
Aviva has confirmed it is not in the process of applying for an alternative business structure after direct questioning by the Transport Select Committee.
Comment: Creative fraudbusting
Appealing to the casual fraudster’s conscience won’t work – it’s time for a more direct approach, says Eddie Longworth.