SME
View from the top: SMEs need insurer support to prosper in tough times
Tiny glimmers of hope came from the Confederation of British Industry this month, with its prediction Britain will avoid an official recession and see reduced inflation in the second half of 2012.
Smith: Ageas saw "a step change"
Ageas boss Barry Smith has told Post that high street provincial brokers provided the biggest boost to business last year, with broker business growing by as much as 20%.
Post Intelligence Benchmarking Financial and Professional Lines: Positive experience
The Insurance 360 Financial and Professional Lines report found standards to be high.
Bollington reshuffles management team as private equity speculation increases
Joe and Stephen Wall have both left the Groupama-owned firm
Brokers issue retention rate warning over commercial insurance aggregation
Insurance firms looking to help aggregators target commercial insurance expansion in 2012 have been warned to check poor retention rates and increased fraud risks before over-committing themselves.
Axa to increase underinsured SME BI cover for free
Axa Commercial Lines is offering its combined policy product customers a premium waiver to help underinsured small and medium enterprises get back on their feet.
To ‘E’ or not to ‘E’ – that is the question?
As the European insurance industry slowly starts to emulate the UK and adopt e-trading, Simon Ronaldson asks how European insurers can learn from the experience of their more mature counterparts.
Penny speed meets... Tara Kneafsey, SME director, RSA UK
Being an insatiable socialite, Penny Black is always eager to probe the personalities behind the professional veneer of her industry friends. What better way to squeeze in and share as many intimate revelations as possible than her very own ‘speed…
Zurich targets food and sports sectors
Zurich has launched mid-corporate sector-specific broker-sold products for the food & beverage sector and for sports, leisure & entertainment adding to its year-old Corporate Focus proposition.
Towergate continues to streamline insurer panels with Allianz and Brit deal
Allianz Insurance is poised to reap more than £40m of SME business in the next three years after regaining the lead position on the Towergate Commercial Underwriting panel.
Directors' and officers': Under the spotlight
With boardrooms coming under increasing scrutiny, the potential for expansion in the D&O market is being recognised by savvy insurers, especially in the SME space.
NIG launches property owners product
NIG has introduced a new product for commercial property owners after identifying a gap in the market.
Ageas reveals policy changes ahead of Olympics
Ageas has outlined new terms in its shopkeeper policy ahead of this summer’s Olympic Games.
Axa report reveals mixed emotions for 2012 among SMEs
SME bosses across the UK are approaching 2012 with mixed outlooks concerning turnover, profitability and recruitment plans, according to a report published by Axa Commercial Lines.
Marsh hunts new UK CEO as South takes wider European role
Martin South has been appointed into the newly-created position of CEO of Marsh Europe, leaving the broker searching for a replacement.
Q&A Asia: JLT
As part of Insurance Insights new remit to cover Asia, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Asia’s chief executive officer Warren Merritt (pictured)spoke to Francesca Nyman to discussed the broker’s plans there.
NIG boosts SME push with EIS contract win
Bosses at NIG have vowed to support “ambitious” growth for 2012 after winning the contract to underwrite the multi-million pound gross written premium core business of Event Insurance Services.
Post Intelligence Benchmarking - Commercial insurers: Winners and losers
The annual Insurance 360 Business Insurers Insight Report service rankings show some steady, some on ladders - and some on snakes.
LV GI boss O’Roarke and management team extend contract until 2016 with new deals
LV general insurance managing director John O’Roarke, is targeting an increase in SME and home insurance business having put pen to paper on a new four-year deal at the firm.
Interview - Edward Fitzmaurice: Broking promises
With Hastings Direct on the cusp of becoming a top five broker and securing its one millionth customer, 2012 could be a landmark year for chief executive Edward Fitzmaurice
O’Roarke and LV management team extend contract until 2016 – Insurance News Now
Post senior reporter Amy Ellis outlines this week's major general insurance stories including how LV general insurance MD John O’Roarke is targeting an increase in SME and home insurance business having signed up to a new four-year deal at the firm.
Editor's comment: Sales, sprinklers and statistics
Any reputable estate agent — excusing the potential oxymoron — will tell you the property market falls quiet in the run-up to Christmas, as potential vendors focus on the festivities ahead. Not so in the insurance market, with an unexpected end-of-year…
Legal expenses: Survival of the fittest
Legal expenses insurers must adapt their models quickly to survive the government’s reforms — or risk extinction.
In conversation with RSA: distinguishing from rivals in SME commercial
The SME commercial market remains one of the most highly competitive in the UK insurance space.