Scottish Widows: Unmarried couples missing out on life insurance payouts December 30, 2022 Many unmarried couples with life insurance could be at risk of not receiving a payout if one of the partners dies, a survey suggests. Just over half (52 per cent) of unmarried people know if their partner has a life insurance policy, while 43 per cent said their other half has no plans to ensure [...]
Insurance trade body seizes control of subsidiary by flooding City association’s board December 22, 2022 The world’s largest insurance trade body has made a push to take control of one of its subsidiaries, following an ongoing spat between the two groups. The takeover bid saw the head of the Personal Finance Society (PFS) hit out at its parent organisation, the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) over claims it had acted “unilaterally” [...]
Car premiums increase 17.4 per cent after FCA price walking ban December 20, 2022 The average car premium has soared 17.4 per cent in the past year, according to recent research. Data published today by market researcher Consumer Intelligence shows that average premiums now cost £877, surpassing by 6.7 per cent current inflation rates. According to senior insight analyst Georgia Day, the unsurprising surge has been driven by the [...]
Severe flooding could cost insurers more than £1bn this winter December 12, 2022 Severe flooding this winter could cost UK insurers more than £1bn, according to analysis from PwC. Storm Eunice in February led to insurers losing £200-300m, mainly as a result of disruption to travel and damage to properties and vehicles due to falling trees. However, floods on the same scale as those seen in 2015 [...]
Phoenix Group on track to meet financial goals after weathering economic storm December 6, 2022 London insurer Phoenix Group today said it is on track to generate £1.3bn- £1.4bn worth of cash this year due in part to it avoiding the UK’s LDI crisis. The insurer said its “comprehensive” hedging strategy had insulated it from the current downturn as Phoenix noted it does not participate in the Liability Driven Investment [...]
Insurers are undervaluing policy holders’ cars, FCA warns December 4, 2022 The UK’s financial watchdog has warned insurers against undervaluing policyholders’ vehicles after seeing evidence of customers being offered payouts less than their cars are worth. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said it had seen evidence of customers who have had their cars written off being offered less money than their vehicle’s fair market price. It [...]
Natural catastrophes to cost insurers more than $100bn for the second year in a row December 1, 2022 The global insurance sectors’ losses from natural catastrophes are set to surpass sums of $100bn (£81.5bn) for the second year in a row, new data from Swiss Re shows. Natural catastrophes will cost insurers an estimated $115bn this year, after Hurricane Ian and a series of “secondary perils” caused $260bn worth of damage in 2022, [...]
UK motor insurers to make largest annual loss in a decade due to inflation November 25, 2022 The UK motor insurance sector is set to make the largest annual loss in over a decade as a result of inflationary pressures. Analysis published today by EY has forecast that net combined ratios will reach 115 per cent this year – the worst year since 2010 – going down slightly to 114 per cent [...]
Zurich sets out more ambitious financial goals after posting highest profits since 2008 November 16, 2022 Zurich Insurance today vowed to “build a clear leadership position in the insurance industry” in pledging to pursue more ambitious financial targets over the next three years. The Swiss insurer said it is now aiming to grow its annual earnings per share at a rate of eight per cent each year over the period 2023-25. [...]
Volatile markets and soaring gilt yields could see pensions buy-out boom, analysts say November 14, 2022 The UK could see £200bn worth of pensions buyouts over the next three years as higher gilt yields and increasingly volatile markets boost the attractiveness of bulk purchase annuity deals, analysts have said. The market for bulk purchase annuity deals could show fast paced growth over the next few years as pension funds seek to [...]