Aviva estimates covid-19 impact at £160m May 21, 2020 Insurer Aviva today estimated the total payout it will have to make because of covid-19 at £160m net of reinsurance. Aviva said the estimate was based on estimated claims in business interruption insurance, other commercial lines and travel insurance. The insurer said the coronavirus pandemic “provides unprecedented uncertainty” and “may adversely impact our results”. Aviva [...]
Insurance brokers slammed for conflicts of interests amid coronavirus business interruption claim disputes May 20, 2020 Insurance brokers have been attacked for “scandalous” conflicts of interests in a report published today. Insurance brokers are appointed by clients to arrange coverage with insurance underwriters for which the client pays them a fee. However, the report from insurance policyholder advisers Mactavish estimated that up to 80 per cent of broker revenue comes directly [...]
Insurance is a jewel in the City crown May 20, 2020 As the relatively new Member of Parliament for the City, I have been finding my way around the incredible range of financial services which London offers the world – and insurance and reinsurance are definitely jewels in the crown. So, the publication of the third edition of the London Matters report this week was a [...]
How Telegram failed the Distributed Ledger, Blockchain and Cryptocurrency industry May 19, 2020 This week Telegram announced that the Telegram Open Network (TON) project would be discontinued as the SEC’s winning of a preliminary injunction barred Telegram from launching TON or distributing its Gram tokens. Pavel Durov, Founder of Telegram then explored general themes relating to US dominance of the global financial system “…the people outside the U.S.… [...]
Coronavirus will slow pace of globalisation, warn financial leaders May 18, 2020 Financial leaders are concerned the outbreak of coronavirus is having a slowing effect on globalisation, as the prospect of a global recession looms. Three quarters of senior leaders based in Luxembourg’s financial centre do not expect economic conditions to normalise to pre-crisis levels for at least a year. Additionally, 82 per cent of respondents to [...]
Coronavirus triggers profit warning spike for financial services businesses May 18, 2020 UK listed financial services businesses have issued more profit warnings this year than in the whole of 2019 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. UK-listed financial services firms have issued 31 covid-19 related profit warnings so far this year, according to analysis from EY, representing 17 per cent of the Ftse financial services sector. [...]
Hiscox policyholders set to launch legal action against firm over coronavirus claims May 17, 2020 A group of Hiscox policyholders angry at the insurance giant’s decision to exclude coronavirus-related disruptions from its business interruption policies have been given the go-ahead to launch legal action against the firm. According to law firm Mishcon de Reya, over 400 policyholders with nearly £40m in claims have joined the Hiscox Action Group. The law [...]
Coronavirus lockdown: Al fresco dining could be allowed within weeks May 17, 2020 Some restaurants, pubs and coffee shops could be allowed to open within weeks, which would be a month earlier than expected. Ministers are reportedly considering plans to allow hospitality venues to open in outdoor areas in what would be a boost to the sector. The plans would allow pubs, restaurants and coffee shops with outdoor [...]
London bar group Enhanced Hospitality claims 650 jobs at risk over insurer’s refusal to pay May 15, 2020 London bar and restaurant chain Enhanced Hospitality has launched legal action against Allianz, claiming that its failure to pay out under business interruption insurance has put 650 jobs at risk. Enhanced Hospitality, which owns Camden live music venue Dingwalls and Soho private members club Blacks, has hired law firm Field Fisher to pursue a claim [...]
Monzo faces steep valuation drop in coronavirus funding round May 15, 2020 UK challenger bank Monzo is reportedly raising a fresh round of cash from investors at a 40 per cent discount to its previous fundraising. The fintech is close to sealing a deal that will value it at around £1.25bn, compared to a valuation of more than £2bn at its previous funding round in June, according [...]