SME
Reportage - specialist products: How practical is it to sell specialist cover on the web?
Making commercial insurance products available online can create efficiencies for customers, brokers and insurers and has proved particularly successful in the standard SME market. Ian Wainwright asks if it is practical to sell specialist cover over the…
Reportage: Transactional websites - what are the benefits for brokers?
By automating personal lines underwriting and providing clients with more than just a place to go window shopping, Kevin Child explains how brokers can benefit from creating fully transactional websites.
Reportage - online security: Storing online data securely
As the world of e-trading moves on apace, the legal obligations of companies that receive, store and disseminate client information can often be forgotten. Liz McMahon examines the responsibilities brokers have in regards to data
Power hour: A cooperative coalition?
This month's power hour assesses the impact the Con-Dem Government has already had on insurance and debates how it will continue to influence the industry in the future. Liz McMahon reports.
Quinn impact: solicitors' professional indemnity problems affecting all firms
Professional indemnity (PI) premiums for small firms are set to soar by up to 30% following Quinn Insurance's withdrawal from the market.
Brit cuts UK private motor book by 60%
Brit Insurance revealed it has cut its UK private motor book by 60% as it reported a 10.8% drop in UK gross written premium to £210.1m for the first six months of 2010 (H1 2009: £235m), a 11.4% decrease at constant exchange rates.
Management clinic- anti-bribery: Don’t slip up
The FSA has published an anti-bribery and corruption in commercial insurance report. It seems to relate to overseas markets, so does it apply to my firm?
RSA launches online quote and buy facility for brokers
RSA has launched RSA Online, a new service which enables brokers to obtain quotes and bind a policy online.
News analysis: LV launches marketing tool
LV is launching a marketing and quote-engine tool for small and regional brokers called Proud, utilising South Essex Insurance Brokers' wholesaling arm's technical back-end.
News analysis - Emergency Budget: Chancellor's axe and tax
Emmanuel Kenning reviews economists' reactions to the announcements in the Emergency Budget.
SMEs predict two year wait for UK economic recovery
The majority (58%) of small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) believe there will be a two year wait before the country experiences a full economic recovery, according to research from QBE.
Chartis grows regional presence
Chartis Insurance UK has opened an underwriting office in Chelmsford as it continues to grow its regional operations in the UK.
First Assist and Morgan Cole join forces
First Assist has signed a deal with Morgan Cole which it claims makes it the first law firm in Wales with delegated authority to provide after the event (ATE) insurance in commercial cases.
Focus - technology: Taming the tide of systems improvement
The technology ocean requires time, flexibility and planning to navigate safely and, as the aggregator model shows, there is great danger in being left behind a business ship bound for new, exciting and profitable lands, writes Ed Murray.
Broking success - Sydney Packett & Sons: Prized Packett
Emmanuel Kenning meets a family-owned broker with an illustrious past and bright future specialising in small and medium-sized enterprise, charity and training insurance.
RSA launches small business combined and yacht covers
RSA has launched a new multi-cover small business combined (SBC) product as well as a new policy for yachts.
Towergate launches new web platform for affiliates
Towergate today announced the launch of Towergateaffiliates.com - a new service aimed at providing website owners and online introducers with the ability to promote Towergate eInsurance product offerings online.
Canopius acquires KGM
Canopius Group has announced the acquisition of the business of KGM Underwriting Agencies, which manages Syndicate 260, one of two Lloyd's syndicates dedicated to writing motor business, together with approximately 60% of Syndicate 260's capacity.
Reportage - coalition government: A political maze
With the first coalition Government in more than 50 years in power, there is plenty of unease among businesses as to what it will mean for them. Louise Meeson explores the risks SMEs face amid a lack of clear direction
Reportage: Sole searching
The recession has led to an increase in sole traders and with such an array to cater for, insurers are struggling to meet their needs. Louise Meeson explores how brokers can identify and service these micro businesses
Reportage - SME aggregators: See you later, aggregator?
As issues of trading SME business through the aggregator channel are brought to light, Edward Murray asks whether it is too complex a sector to ever be successfully sold in bulk.
Reportage - composite v specialist: From the tiny ant to the elephant
When it comes to SME business, are the smaller, niche providers naturally a better fit or does the scale and clout of the composites count the most in this market? Martin Friel asks how much size really matters.
E-commerce: Non-intermediaries set to muscle in on micro market
Brokers that fail to embrace technology-savvy trading risk losing their majority share of the micro commercial market.
Endorphin launch backs SMEs with consolidator alternative
Layton Blackham founder, Chris Blackham, has formed a boutique investment house to offer brokers a "realistic financial alternative to the consolidator route".