UK News

UK Competition Comm. to Investigate Auto Insurance; ABI Welcomes Move

The UK’s insurance market for auto insurance has been referred to the Competition Commission for investigation. The Office of Fair Trading (OFT), which made the referral, expressed concerns that the structure of the market resulted in excessive costs and that …

ABI Issues Guidance for Impending ‘Gender-neutral’ Insurance Pricing

With three months to go until the European Court of Justice ban on insurers taking a person’s gender into account when calculating premiums and benefits, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) has published guidance for consumers. “Gender has always been …

New SARS-like Virus Detected in Middle East

British health authorities have alerted the U.N. of a new respiratory virus that resembles SARS in a severely ill patient who recently traveled to Saudi Arabia, where another man died of a similar illness earlier this year. The man in …

Best Affirms/Withdraws Ratings of RSA’s Main UK Operating Subs

A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a” of the main UK operating subsidiaries of the UK-based RSA Insurance Group plc. Best also affirmed …

Ryan Specialty to Buy Direct Group in UK

The Ryan Specialty Group (RSG) announced that it would “significantly strengthen its MGA and third party administration (TPA) capabilities in the UK” with an agreement to acquire insurance services provider Direct Group for an undisclosed consideration. The acquisition is subject …

Best Affirms Catlin Group and Subs ‘A’ Ratings; Outlook Stable

A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a” of the Bermuda-based Catlin Insurance Company Limited (CICL), Catlin Insurance Company (UK) and Catlin Re Switzerland …

Willis UK Broker Networks Add 12 New Members

Willis Group Holdings announced that 12 new members have joined its two UK broker networks, Willis N2 and Willis Commercial Network, both of which ally with local, independent insurance brokers in the UK. Willis Commercial Network added Chesham Insurance Brokers, …

UK Banks Face Rules to Curb Payment Protection Insurance Mis-selling

UK banks face new rules to stamp out sales incentives that have encouraged mis-selling of financial products going back two decades, the Financial Services Authority said on Wednesday. UK banks have been hit by a series of scandals in the …

Moody’s Changes EU Rating Outlook to Negative

Moody’s Investors Service has changed its outlook on the ‘Aaa’ rating of the European Union to negative, warning it might downgrade the bloc if it decides to cut the ratings on the EU’s four biggest budget backers: Germany, France, UK …

Ambiental Flood Experts in Partnership with Aon Benfield Research

Aon Benfield, the global reinsurance intermediary and capital advisor of Aon plc, announced that it has expanded its Aon Benfield Research academic and industry research collaboration through a partnership with Ambiental, a “Flood Risk Assessment, Surface Water Drainage and risk …