Directors & officers' (D&O)
Top 100 UK Insurers 2022
To date, the UK non-life market has been able to withstand the impact of operating challenges and with capital adequacy robust, William Keen-Tomlinson explains why the market has something of a buffer to absorb future uncertainty
Intelligence: Is it boom time for special purpose acquisition companies in the UK?
Although the mania for special purpose acquisition companies of early 2021 has subsided, investor enthusiasm persists and is in the process of going global. The losses directors’ and officers’ insurers can expect to flow from these types of companies…
Intelligence: Hardening continues with reinsurance renewals
January’s renewals saw reinsurers playing hardball not only in their pricing, but also in the structures of their clients’ reinsurance programmes. Post explains why the hardening market is not driven by a lack of capital, but by renewed underwriting…
Intelligence: Insuring the growing US cannabis market
Last year Malta became the first European nation to legalise cannabis after the United Nations reclassified the drug to recognise its therapeutic uses and – with other EU countries looking to follow suit – Post spoke to the specialists striving to meet…
Underwriters weigh impact of climate disclosures on D&O insurance
Underwriters of directors and officers’ insurance are weighing the impact climate-related obligations and commitments will have on claims, as business leaders face overseeing a growing raft of disclosures.
Top 100 UK Insurers 2021
Covid-19 had the biggest impact on insurers in 2020. Commercial lines insurers suffered while personal lines insurers broadly benefited according to William Keen-Tomlinson, senior financial analyst in London for AM Best.
Brokers foresee disruption from Amazon business insurance deal but no reason to panic
Amazon Business’ partnership with insurtech Superscript has the potential to bring an element of disruption and grab niche market share by meeting demands but advice is still key for corporate SME business, according to experts.
Blog: What does VW Group’s €270m D&O payment mean for 'Dieselgate' D&O coverage?
The VW Group is looking to claw back €270m from its insurers in directors' and officers' claims but Guy Robson, partner at group action law firm Keller Lenkner UK, asks what this might mean for D&O insurance for vehicle manufacturers in the future?
Trade Voice: Foil's Jennette Newman on the penalties facing firms that misfire on climate transition
As the world begins to really face up to climate change, Jennette Newman, president of the Forum of Insurance Lawyers and partner at Clyde & Co, warns that the regulatory, reputational and legal penalties for failing to transition a climate-friendly…
Pen recruits Neil Bowdrey as first head of D&O
Pen Underwriting has appointed Neil Bowdrey to the newly created role of head of D&O as it looks to expand its presence in the directors’ and officers' insurance sector, Post can reveal.
Nuventure to launch personal and commercial lines MGAs within next month
Managing general agent platform Nuventure will launch two MGAs within the next month and aims to develop propositions for the UK terrorism, UK SME directors’ and officers’, and agriculture markets, CEO Andy Colbran has told Post.
Gallagher’s Simon Collings on market conditions and if - just if - we are seeing positive signs
Times have been tough recently but as new entrants enter certain parts of the market Simon Collings, managing director of national broking and placement at Gallagher, asks if this could be the start of more positive signs across the insurance market?
Lyles adds non-exec chair of Rising Edge to portfolio
Kelly Lyles has joined the board of London-based directors’ and officers’ managing general agent Rising Edge as non-executive chair.
Q&A: Sharon Brown, Harbour Underwriting
Managing general agent Harbour Underwriting (formerly QLCC) last year launched after the event commercial dispute insurance to the broker market. Managing director Sharon Brown spoke to Post about what attracted her to the role and why she believes…
For the record: Aviva disposals, Beazley creates digital unit, Fenchurch & Partners launches, new D&O MGA Rising Edge and Zurich invests in insurtech
Post wraps up the major insurance deals, launches and investments of the week
Concerns flagged that directors' liabilities under audit reform may be uninsurable
Forthcoming audit reforms that will make directors, rather than boards, personally responsible for the accuracy of company financial statements might not be insurable, the Forum of Insurance Lawyers has warned.
Beazley braced for Covid-19 liability claims in 2021 as it reports $50m 2020 loss
Beazley expects to feel the delayed impact of Covid-19-related liability claims later this year, highlighting its directors' and officers' and healthcare books as particular concerns.
Q&A: Max Carter, New Dawn Risk
Formed in 2008, New Dawn Risk grew to handle £81m of premium last year. It started 2021 by looking to target UK regional brokers for the first time. Founder Max Carter reviews the growth of the company and explains why now is the right time for the firm…
For the record: The week in deals featuring Aviva, Dual, Revolut, Specialist Risk Group and Willis Towers Watson
Post wraps up the major insurance deals, launches and investments of the week
Aston Lark’s Peter Blanc on the differences in this version of the hard market
Peter Blanc, group CEO of Aston Lark, analyses the characteristics of the ongoing hard market arguing that while there is a ‘perfect storm’ of reduced capacity, losses, low investment returns and a dramatic recession there will be opportunities for well…
Trade Voice: Airmic’s Julia Graham on the D&O market
As premium rates for directors' and officers' rocket, Airmic deputy CEO and technical director Julia Graham says insurers need to wake up and innovate if they wish to prevent a flight to alternative risk financing by insureds.
PRA zones in on financial lines, man-made cat exposure and contract uncertainty
The Prudential Regulation Authority will “sharpen” its focus on financial lines insurers and those with a material exposure to man-made catastrophe risk, in addition to advising insurers to revisit how they approach contract uncertainty, the regulator…
Virgin Atlantic dropped insurance broker due to alleged lack of hard market know-how
Virgin Atlantic switched its insurance broker three weeks before the renewal date of its directors and officers policy out of frustration with poor communication and a lack of faith in brokers’ ability to deal in a hard market, its head of risk said at a…
Analysis: One in five D&O buyers witnessing 400% premium increases
One in five UK directors and officers insurance buyers faced rate rises of 400% or more during this year’s renewals, according to Airmic.