UK News

Beazley Confirms Interest in Acquiring Hardy Underwriting

In a brief statement, issued by its office in Dublin, Beazley plc confirmed that it is to undertake a strategic review of the business of Hardy Underwriting Bermuda Limited. The statement followed the announcement by the board of Hardy on …

Insurers May Open ‘Black Box’ Telematics to Escape Gender Ban

Motor [auto] insurers seeking to get around a European ban on charging male drivers more than women are turning to innovative black box technology that could trigger an upheaval in the way car insurance is sold. Britain’s biggest motor insurer, …

Best Affirms Ratings of Inter Hannover UK; Outlook Positive

A.M. Best Europe ā€“ Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A’ (Excellent) and the issuer credit rating (ICR) of “a+” of UK-based International Insurance Company of Hannover Limited (Inter Hannover), both with positive outlooks. Best …

Cat Assessment Firm PERILS Expands Coverage to Include UK Flood Risks

PERILS, the independent Zurich-based organization that provides industry-wide catastrophe insurance data, announced that it has extended its market coverage to include the peril of inland flooding in the UK. The bulletin explained that as of the first of January the …

Northern UK, Scotland Battered by Windstorm Friedhelm: AIR Analysis

According to catastrophe modeling firm AIR Worldwide, a red alert was issued for winds in Scotland and the Northern UK by the Met Office. As a result, AIR said “widespread structural damage” was likely; flood alerts for 12 rivers and …

Best Reports on Bermuda’s Challenges; Torus’ O’Donohoe Comments on Diminished Role

UK Insurance Association: Solvency II May Help or Hinder EU Growth

Amidst all the turmoil in the euro zone, the implementation of the Solvency II regulations, governing the 27 members of the European Union, including the UK, grinds inexorably forward. It is a fact of life for British insurers, and their …

Europe Moves Ahead with Fiscal Union; UK Isolated

Europe divided on Friday in a historic rift over building a fiscal union to preserve the euro, with a large majority of countries led by Germany and France agreeing to move ahead with a separate treaty, leaving Britain isolated. Twenty-three …

Willis Re Spots Downward Trend UK Auto Claims; Premium Increases

UK motor [auto] insurance premiums “have continued to rise in 2011, with some drivers facing price increases of up to 50 percent,” according to findings of the annual UK Motor Market Review by Willis Re. It also noted a significant …

Willis UK Networks Given ‘Chartered Insurance Brokers’ Status

The Willis UK brokers Networks team has been awarded the title of “Chartered Insurance Brokers” by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). The Willis Networks team manages Willis Networks, comprising the Willis Commercial Network and Willis NĀ², and is the first …