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China’s total insurance premiums are forecast to have grown 33 percent to 1.47 trillion yuan ($222.1 billion) in 2010 from a year earlier, the country’s industry regulator said on Tuesday.

In a statement on its website, the China Insurance Regulatory Commission said profits at Chinese insurers likely jumped 14.4 percent to 60.7 billion yuan in 2010 from a year earlier. (www.circ.gov.cn.)

Assets in the industry totalled 5 trillion yuan in the same period, the regulator said, without giving a year-earlier comparison.

Source : Reuters

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The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) has appointed Anthony Gould as Director of Faculties effective from 21st March.

In this newly created role Anthony will be responsible for developing and driving forward strategy for the CII’s series of specialist faculties, working closely with the members of the Faculty Boards. He will also take on lead responsibility for identifying the key issues and priorities for the sector going forward and developing solutions for the institute’s broad membership. Additionally he will support the wider brand and communications functions across the CII.

Anthony joins from Incisive Media where he is Group Editor-In-Chief of the insurance division with responsibility for content across its range of specialist titles including Post Magazine, Reinsurance, Insurance Age and The Actuary. In his present role he has spearheaded the successful development of the brands’ online, digital and mobile offerings along with a growing stable of brand extensions including conferences, awards and specialist events.

David Ross, director of communications at the CII, said, “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Ant to the CII. A former editor of Post Magazine he commands the respect of a great many influential stakeholders from across the sector and his wealth of experience and expertise from over 20 years in commercial publishing will prove invaluable in driving forward the professionalism agenda.

“As we approach the 100th anniversary of the CII receiving its Royal Charter we continue to drive the professional, ethical and technical standards of our sector. Ant’s appointment provides us with a tremendous opportunity to showcase the strength and depth of knowledge that exists across each of the Faculty Boards.

“Our members benefit from an unsurpassed depository of information and experience and we want to communicate this more powerfully, more frequently and more creatively. “

Source : CII Press Release

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Following the announcement on 1 December 2010, Amanda Blanc will join AXA UK’s Commercial lines business as CEO on Monday 14 February 2011.

Blanc will be responsible for AXA UK’s commercial lines business including its distribution arm, Bluefin Insurance Group. She will report directly to Paul Evans, group chief executive of AXA UK, and will become a member of the AXA UK Executive Committee and of the AXA UK board*. As a board member Blanc will also play a key role in developing strategies and objectives for AXA across its range of businesses in the UK.

Blanc commented:

“AXA is a hugely successful worldwide brand yet it still has some way to go to reinforce its credentials and expertise within the commercial lines market. I see this as a great challenge as well as a great opportunity and believe that the combination of the expertise within Bluefin and AXA provide the makings of a platform to achieve this.

“I will be spending some time at first listening to staff, brokers and customers to ensure that I fully understand what is good – and where improvements need to be made. After that, I will quickly set about building a customer focussed and dynamic organisation that delivers on its promises and achieves AXA’s ambitions for the UK commercial insurance market”.

Source : AXA Press Release

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Responding to media calls, Patrick M. Liedtke, Secretary General and Managing Director of leading international insurance think tank, The Geneva Association, today outlined key issues for the insurance industry in 2011. He selected two near-term issues, regulation and financial stability, and two longer term issues, climate change and demographics, from the set of issues that the Association is working on. His comments were as follows:

Regulation

“The direction of international insurance regulation is going to be critical for the industry this year. Major regional projects such as Solvency II, which have gained reference status even beyond Europe, and global projects such as International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) reforms and several International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) initiatives will see key decisions in 2011. We are working with international regulators and standard setters such as the IAIS, the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and others to help them tackle the complex questions of how to best regulate and supervise the insurance industry. We are achieving this through the provision of factual analysis and additional knowledge for these discussions with a view to achieving the most efficient insurance solutions in the future regulatory framework. Getting this next wave of regulation right is critically important, not only for the industry, but also for continued economic growth and development.

Financial Stability

“The G-20 has tasked the Financial Stability Board (FSB) with addressing and solving the problems surrounding the resilience of the global financial system. While systemic threats do not emanate from insurance activities there are a number of issues that remain poorly understood or simply have not been discussed but where important decisions will be taken by governments in 2011. The role of insurance companies that operate as financial conglomerates carrying out potentially systemically risky activities has to be properly addressed and the confusion surrounding Systemically Important Financial Institution (SIFI) identification and its consequences needs to be overcome. The Geneva Association is directly involved in these discussions, supporting the work of the FSB and the IAIS-Financial Stability Committee through the provision of analytical work and the coordination of input from insurance companies. In the discussions on financial stability, the differences between insurance and banking have to be taken into account appropriately and any solutions need to be compatible with the distinct roles that insurers and banks play in today’s economic systems. The key is to ensure that regulatory imprecision or over-stretch do not hamstring a well functioning industry and damage societal interests.

Climate change

“The challenges related to climate change are long and far-reaching but there will also be opportunities. Insurers have deeper and more detailed knowledge about extreme weather events and the possible consequences of shifts in climate risks than any other industry. Effective government support and implementation of risk management measures, including insurance, in both the developed and developing world are critical in protecting societies from the ravages of climate risks. While government level talks have stalled and produced disappointing outcomes in Copenhagen and more recently Cancun, the challenge of how to deal with threatening scenarios linked to climate risks remains. Few risks transcend borders as readily, put as many lives, livelihoods and values at risk, and require as close a cooperation between public and private partners. Over the coming years we are likely to see increasing evidence on climate change and as well as providing protection, the insurance industry stands ready to play a more significant role in steering risk management and adaptation measures.

Demographics

“A serious demographic challenge lies ahead for most societies. The shift towards longer life expectancy and ageing populations has not only a massive and direct impact on the organisation of old-age security and health provision; it will also change the way in which societies look at risks, organise their infrastructures and generally deal with economic and other challenges. Current solutions for old-age security are often not sustainable and need wholesale reform; health systems are creaking under the weight of service provisions that are regularly outpaced by the demands placed on them, and so far, societal discussions around the proper safeguarding of long-term interests of changing and diverging populations have been limited or are non-existent in key areas. As the risk industry, insurance can make important contributions to these demanding questions and as the post-crisis environment will again free up more energies to tackle longer-term issues (rather than the financial fire-fighting of late) more of these challenges will come into focus again.”

Source : The Geneva Association Press Release

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Swiss Re Capital Markets has successfully structured and placed EUR 75 million of notes issued by Green Fields Capital Limited (“Green Fields”) covering French windstorm events.  Green Fields is a newly established Irish special purpose company incorporated with limited liability. The transaction sponsor is Groupama S.A., with Swiss Reinsurance Company Ltd acting as the counterparty for the deal.

Green Fields single tranche series 2011-1 Class A notes is the first issuance under a principal-at-risk variable-rate note shelf programme.  The four-year notes are rated “BB+ (sf)” by Standard & Poor’s and are scheduled for redemption in January 2015.  The risk period for the tranche is from January 2011 through December 2014. Collateral for this issuance consists of a European Bank for Reconstruction and Development “EBRD” Floating Rate Note.

“Swiss Re is pleased to support key clients such as Groupama in their risk management strategies to cede peak risks into capital markets by launching programmes like Green Fields, which builds upon the successes of past Green Valley transactions.” said Jean-Louis Monnier, Swiss Re’s Head of ILS Europe.

Swiss Re Capital Markets acted as sole structuring agent and bookrunner for the offering.  The transaction utilizes a PERILS Industry Loss Trigger.

Risk modelling and analysis were performed by Risk Management Solutions Inc. (RMS).

The Green Fields notes were sold in a private placement pursuant to Rule 144A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the “Securities Act”) and have not been registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws; they may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.

Source : Swiss Re Press Release

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Admiral has announced that they have sold the groups German counterpart, Admiral Direkt, to Itzehoer Versicherung for an undisclosed sum of money.

The group claims that the value of the gross assets it sold is 4.4 million pounds which was the second company launched by Admiral in Europe in October 2007.

Itzehoer, on the other hand, is a 104-year-old insurer that specialises in motor coverage. It is said to be the leading independent motor insurer in the German state of Schleswig-Holstein. Its acquisition of Cologne-based AdmiralDirekt will be a huge boost to its online market presence.

It is thought that they have sold the business because of its loss-making in the past two years.

In the first half of 2010 AdmiralDirekt had 31,300 vehicles insured, and posted pretax losses of 1.6 million pounds in their interim report.

The business previously saw losses of 2.2 million pounds in the second half of 2009. Admiral said its strategy of increasing car insurance rates in Germany had resulted in a 25% fall in premiums.

The insurance contracts generated by AdmiralDirekt and underwritten by the Admiral Group in 2011 will be fully reinsured by Itzehoer. It is their intention to transfer the insurance contracts for 2011 and earlier to Itzehoer subject to court and regulatory approval.

Admiral reiterated that they wish to remain focused on continuing the profitable growth of its UK operations.

They also stay committed to building profitable, growing and sustainable businesses in Spain, Italy, France and the USA.

Source : Finance News

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In a sample of the US market, CoverHound.com determined that car insurance shoppers prefer to work with local agents over direct carriers when buying an auto insurance policy. However, it was also concluded that younger drivers and renters prefer working directly.

A recent study by online auto insurance comparison site, CoverHound.com, concluded that car insurance shoppers still prefer to work with a local agent when buying a policy versus buying from a direct carrier. In a survey of the US market, CoverHound found that 39% of shoppers prefer to deal with a local agent, 32% prefer to work with carriers directly, while 29% are indifferent.

While carriers such as StateFarm and Allstate, who primarily sell insurance through local agents, still dominate US market share, national carriers such as Geico and Progressive, who focus heavily on the direct-to-consumer model, continue to capture more of the market.

As expected, younger shoppers in the sample were most likely to prefer to work with carriers directly, while older shoppers prefer to deal with a local agent. 50% of 18-25 year olds surveyed indicated that they preferred a direct carrier to a local agent, while only 27% of 41-50 year olds held a similar preference. Since younger populations tend to be more comfortable transacting online, it may come as no surprise that they would exhibit a preference for direct carriers who typically offer sophisticated online capabilities to purchase and manage car insurance policies.

It remains to be seen how the consumer behavior will trend out over time. As younger populations age, they will represent a bigger share of the overall market, but will their preferences shift as their assets and responsibilities increase? Carriers who primarily utilize local agents tend to have more robust product offerings such as homeowners insurance and life insurance policies, which may make them more attractive as younger populations age.

The study also concluded that renters are more likely to prefer dealing with a direct carrier than homeowners. 36% of renters surveyed prefer to work directly, compared to 25% of homeowners. In addition, responders who were looking to insure more than one driver on their policy were more likely to prefer working with a local agent (45%) than single driver policies (37%).

Source : CoverHound

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Hastings Insurance Services has joined the expanding insurance community serviced by CRIF Decision Solutions Ltd (CRIF), selecting CRIF to support its counter fraud strategy to automate processes and boost fraud prevention at policy application.

Hastings utilises the telephone and internet as cost effective distribution channels to take its products to market. Along with the insurance industry as a whole, Hastings recognises that the relative anonymity afforded the consumer by this business model can lead to an increased exposure to fraud at point of sale. The business challenge was to swiftly gain the most accurate risk profile, real time, in order to assess desire to underwrite and appropriately price the premium.

CRIF has created a solution for Hastings which provides XML communication capabilities, enabling employees to search the CUE database swiftly and easily at point of sale, in order to review the consumer’s claims history.

James Fairhurst, Director of Information Systems and Services, Hastings Direct: “We were looking for an automated process and CRIF impressed us not only with the solution they could deliver, but the speed of their response (48 hours). From proof of concept to implementation has taken less than three months. We have been impressed by CRIF’s ‘can do’ attitude and ability to turn our requirements into a solution so quickly and effectively. We are committed to providing our customers with the best service possible and this includes protecting them for the costs of fraud.

What CRIF has helped us deliver will benefit both our customers and our bottom line. We are vigilant about detecting fraud at every stage of the insurance purchase and claim process as our strategy is to prevent fraud wherever possible protecting both our customers and ourselves.”

Roger Walsh, Associate Director, CRIF Decision Solutions Ltd comments: “There is an immense appetite across the industry to strengthen fraud prevention strategies at policy application. We are delighted to welcome Hastings into our growing community of insurance clients who are utilising CRIF’s expertise combined with our innovative and flexible approach to building ever more robust counter fraud solutions.”

Source : CRIF Press Release

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Aon Corporation, global provider of risk management, risk and reinsurance brokerage, and human resource consulting and outsourcing, announced the appointment of Michael R. Szot as chief operating officer for the Environmental Practice of Aon Risk Solutions, the firm’s global risk management business.

With more than 30 years of insurance experience and a specialization in complex construction and environmental placements, Szot will assume responsibility for the operation and global delivery of integrated environmental risk management programs to Aon Risk Solutions clients, working closely with his colleagues in Aon Construction Services Group.

Peter Arkley, chairman and CEO of Aon Construction Services Group, stated, “Aon’s clients will benefit from an enhanced, unified approach to delivering environmental services. Mike’s expertise is invaluable to the experience of our clients, and I am thrilled to see him move into this role.”

Based in Los Angeles, Szot has an executive management degree from UCLA and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from St. John’s University – College of Insurance in New York.

In addition to Szot’s new role, Greg Schilz has been appointed global sales leader for the Environmental Practice, and Ken Anderson, Veronica Benzinger, Rod Taylor, Howard Tollin and John Welter have been appointed to the Environmental Practice executive committee.

Aon Broking and Specialty CEO Warren Mula noted, “Environmental risk remains a significant challenge for a broad range of industrial, commercial and residential clients worldwide. Recent events have made it clear that environmental hazards can cause material financial disruptions and seriously impact even the largest corporations.”

Source : Aon Press Release

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Pacifica, Generali France, Aviva France, Thélem assurances and Sogessur today signed a letter of intent with a view to studying possible pooling in procurement relating to management of non-life insurance claims. The collaboration would entail Pacifica, Thélem assurances and Sogessur joining the Kareo economic interest group and Generali and Aviva acquiring a stake in Assercar.

This would make Kareo, which has already brought together Generali France and Aviva France, the structure for discussions between the various insurance companies concerning possible pooling in procurement relating to management of non-life insurance claims.

At the same time, Assercar, which manages the network of accredited car repairers for Pacifica, Sogessur and Thélem assurances, would have to set up the target shared network for the five insurance companies and their subsidiaries.

This initiative fits in with the “industrial” strategy of pooling procurement in order to control costs and develop new services for clients. If the negotiations currently in progress are successful, the target organisational structure would be implemented as of 1 April 2011.

Source : EuroSGC

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One of Queensland’s biggest natural disasters is unfolding in the city of Rockhampton, with isolated outbreaks of looting as police force residents to abandon their homes and the city is cut off.

ITN News reports :

Source : ITN News

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The Union Insurance Company expects revenue to increase by 32 per cent this year through the introduction of Sharia-compliant products.

The company, based in Ajman and listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), said it would introduce Islamic insurance products, known as takaful, this year.

“This company will become an Islamic insurance company, therefore we expect a lot of business from the market,” said Dharmasiri Edirisinghe, the finance manager at Union Insurance.

Mr Edirisinghe confirmed a statement posted on the ADX website, which forecast a 32 per cent rise in revenue this year.

“We have an expansion programme … We are hunting for new business, therefore we expect 32 per cent growth,” Mr Edirisinghe said.

He said an announcement concerning the new Sharia-compliant products would be made “in the near future”, adding that the launch would be accompanied by a marketing drive.

According to the statement to the ADX, the board of Union Insurance had agreed on a 7 per cent increase in administration costs for this year.

This increase is due in part to the company’s plan to convert to a Sharia-compliant insurance system. For this purpose, the board has shortlisted candidates for a planned Sharia committee, the statement said.

An update of the company’s IT infrastructure will also contribute to the increase in administration costs. The board approved a plan to upgrade its PREMIA insurance software by the IT firm 3i Infotech, at a cost of Dh581,440 (US$158,296), according to the statement.

The company’s board has approved the creation of two units to invest in commercial and property projects, the statement said. It said the board also assigned a committee to draw up a plan to invest no less than 30 per cent of the investment portfolio in bonds issued in Abu Dhabi.

Source : The National

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Aon Benfield, the global reinsurance intermediary and capital advisor of Aon Corporation, today releases its 2011 Reinsurance Market Outlook report, which reviews the trends experienced at the January 1 reinsurance renewals and analyzes specific challenges facing insurers and reinsurers in the year ahead.

The report, Partnership Renewed, contains updates by individual business line and region, and also focuses on key topical issues for global insurers and reinsurers that have an impact on reinsurance supply, demand and pricing.  It also comprises sections on mergers and acquisitions and catastrophe bond activity, the global financial market and likely rating agency reactions to recent catastrophe model updates.

The report reveals that the partnership between insurers and reinsurers has been renewed, as reinsurers are now lowering rates at the same pace, or greater, than insurers.  Both reinsurers and insurers are enjoying fully recovered balance sheets but quite limited growth in demand for their products.

The report cites that the major developed markets in the U.S., Germany, France and the U.K. are facing their second or third year-on-year of non life market-wide premium declines, even as gross domestic product figures return to sequential growth.  Therefore, both insurers and reinsurers now need to partner to create new demand generating products and innovations on existing products.  Until insurers and reinsurers start to show a reasonable level of traction of new demand, the report reveals the reinsurance market outlook will continue to reflect a global softening.

Aon Benfield’s outlook for renewals at the important April, June and July 2011 dates is for softening at a pace similar to what the firm observed during the January 2011 renewals.

The January 2011 renewals are at the upper end of the range of softening that Aon Benfield projected in September of 2010. Following a U.S. hurricane season with no land-falling events and high investment valuations, reinsurers lowered rates at a slower pace than last January.  U.S. catastrophe programs that include hurricane exposure, which is the peak reinsured global peril, fell by 5 to 10 percent.  Reinsurance rates for property and casualty per risk and per occurrence programs also fell.  The report highlights that these programs already substantially reflect the price decreases taken by insurers, saw terms and conditions including ceding commissions and other features changed to reflect a net price decrease of a further 5 to 10 percent.

The study reveals that Aon Benfield’s September guidance for U.S. renewals was predictive, with the 2011 renewals seeing decreases in all major catastrophe reinsurance segments in the U.S.  It highlights that for the first nine months of 2010 total global reinsurance capacity increased by 17%, reaching a record high of USD470bn by Q3 2010.

Dominic Christian, co-CEO of Aon Benfield, said: “Whilst negotiations around the USD60bn of externally transacted reinsurance premium renewing at 1/1 may be fairly described as being reasoned and assured, there has been on occasion real variability around program outcomes – treaty terms have remained robust, but pricing less homogeneous than for some time.”

Bryon Ehrhart, Chairman of Aon Benfield Analytics, added:  “Reinsurance performed well in 2010 for insurers.  It absorbed underwriting volatility from significant insured earthquakes in Chile and New Zealand and maintained sufficient capacity for orderly renewals in those markets. With capacity at record levels, pricing has been reduced to allow reinsurance to be the most accretive form of underwriting capital for insurers in 2011.  With insurer valuations at levels that don’t allow for much underwriting volatility, we believe cedents will benefit from executing reinsurance transactions that provide working capital in addition to tail capital relief.”

Meanwhile, Insurance-Linked Securities (ILS) volume increased by 44% in 2010, with annual catastrophe bond issuance reaching USD4.9bn compared to USD3.4bn in the same period a year ago.

Source : Aon Benfield Press Release

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    Shares in life insurer Tower Australia jumped more than 40 percent Wednesday after it unanimously recommended shareholders accept a takeover offer from Japan’s Dai-ichi Life Insurance Co.

    Shares closed up 41.76 percent at 3.87 Australian dollars (3.91 US), one day after Dai-ichi said it would take over the mid-sized Australian company by May as it seeks to shore up its business in growing overseas markets.The Japanese firm is already the largest shareholder in Tower, with a 28.96 percent stake, and to take full control plans to make an additional share purchase, through a tender offer, for about 99.6 billion yen (1.21 billion US).

    Tower said the 4.00 Australian dollar per share offer represented a 46.5 percent premium on Tower’s last traded price on December 24.

    “The independent directors believe that this offer represents a compelling premium and a highly attractive outcome for our shareholders,” Tower chairman Rob Thomas said in a statement.

    The deal for Dai-ichi, Japan’s second-largest life insurer, would be its first acquisition since the company went public in April.

    Melbourne, Dec 29, 2010 (AFP)

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    The struggling insurance giant American International Group said on Monday that it had signed credit lines worth $4.3 billion with 36 lenders — in yet another step by the company to get off government life support.

    In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, AIG disclosed that it had entered into a $1.5 billion credit agreement for three years and a $1.5 billion agreement for 364 days. Its subsidiary Chartis will get an additional $1.3 billion.

    ”This success is another important vote of confidence by the market in AIG,” the company’s chief executive, Robert H. Benmosche, said in a statement. “These credit facilities, combined with the debt offering and contingent liquidity facility, demonstrate that AIG has momentum and has made substantial and impressive progress this year.”

    The deals come with several contingencies, including an obligation to maintain a specific minimum net worth and to limit its total debt. AIG must also repay its credit line with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

    In early December, AIG disclosed that it had formalized a deal to repay the New York Fed, including $20 billion in secured debt. The plan also paves the way for the Treasury Department to sell its stake in the insurer.

    In an effort to pay back taxpayers, AIG has moved to sell assets and raise money in the last six months. The insurer agreed in September to a more than $4 billion deal to sell two units, the AIG Star Life Insurance Co. and the AIG Edison Life Insurance Co. It also tapped into the public markets, selling $2 billion of debt on Dec. 2.

    Source : Post Bulletin

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      Taiwan’s Chinatrust Financial has offered three billion US dollars for Nan Shan Life, the highest bid yet for the local unit of insurance giant American International Group, a lawmaker said Tuesday.

      The second-highest bid is from Taipei-based Cathay Financial Holding, which has offered 2.7 billion US dollars, said Tsai Cheng-yuan, a member of the legislature’s finance committee.

      Tsai, member of the ruling Kuomintang party, told AFP he had his information from officials in the US Treasury Department.

      Other bidders for the unit include Fubon Financial, Goldsun Group and Ruentex Group.

      Goldsun is reportedly backed by Hong Kong-based Primus Financial Holdings, whose previous bid for Nan Shan for 2.15 billion US dollars was rejected by the Taiwan government in August.

      Taiwan authorities cited concerns that the Hong Kong consortium of Primus and China Strategic Holdings lacked the experience needed to manage an insurer while it also failed to provide a long-term management commitment.

      The rejection of the bid came as a blow to AIG, once the world’s largest insurer, which has been selling assets to pay back US government loans since its rescue from collapse during the 2008 financial crisis.

      Taipei, Dec 28, 2010 (AFP)

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      The typical bill for repairs after a house party gets out of control is £117.13, reaching an estimated £14 million spent nationally.

      The most common types of damage are general mess, broken furniture, trampled plants in the garden, and stains and burns to carpets and upholstery.

      The poll of 2,000 adults, conducted for the insurance firm, Allianz, follows an increasing trend for teenagers to use social networking websites to organise their festivities.

      But sending invitations to house parties on websites such as Facebook can backfire, with reports of hundreds of gatecrashers turning up to some events, damaging property, taking drugs, having sex and stealing money and jewellery.

      Parents worry that teenage parties are more likely to get out of control now compared with when they were young, with 65% saying they think it is dangerous for teenagers to advertise their parties on social networking sites.

      A third of parents claim they have even monitored their child’s activities on these sites to try to spot if they are planning a party. One in 10 teenagers had used sites such as Bebo and Facebook to organise a party at home.

      A third of parents said they would inform another teenager’s parents if they were planning to hold a secret party at their home, while 29% would call the police if a party was getting out of hand on their street.

      However, only 31% would stop their son or daughter going to a party at a friend’s house if they thought the friend’s parents did not know about it.

      Gareth McChesney, head of home and motor portfolio management at Allianz UK, said: “Parents face tough decisions when allowing their children to host a party and it is natural to worry about the celebrations getting out of hand.

      “However, if things do go wrong, it is important to have financial protection in place to pick up any bills for damage caused.”

      But it is not just teenagers who cause damage to property when they hold parties, with 11% of adults admitting that they have had to claim for an average of £93 on their insurance after holding a party themselves.

      Source : The Telegraph

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      In light of increased cuts and pressure on NHS resources, consumers and employers wanting clear and unbiased information on private medical insurance (PMI) and access to independent advice are directed to the new website of The Association of Medical Insurance Intermediaries (AMII).

      The site will provide information on what health insurance is, the benefits of getting independent advice, why individuals should use an AMII member and a glossary of private medical insurance terms.

      A ‘find-a-broker’ section of the site allows the public to search for AMII members who provide specialist independent advice on the type of PMI product they are looking for: either a personal UK policy or a UK company scheme for up to 49 employees, 50-249 employees, or over 250.  Consumers can also search for intermediaries who can offer specialist advice on international health insurance whether on an individual or group basis.

      In launching the site Andrew Tripp, Chairman of AMII said: “The consumer focus of the new AMII website really supports health insurance intermediaries in providing generic and useful information for potential clients on PMI. For brokers themselves the site also includes details of AMII membership benefits and application form to join AMII.  And AMII members benefit from a free listing in the Find-A-Broker section of the site, which will hopefully drive enquiries to their firms.”

      Source : AMII Press Release

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      Many home insurance policyholders leave their properties empty over the Christmas period as they travel to visit friends and family, so Avon and Somerset Police have reminded people to carry out some security procedures first.

      Locking doors and windows, as well as setting a burglar alarm where one is available are the simplest things householders can do to protect their dwelling, according to Tony Alderman from the community safety and crime reduction department at Taunton police station.

      He added: “Consider using timer settings to operate lights and a radio so that would-be burglars believe the house is occupied.”
      After December 25th, consumers should dispose of boxes and wrapping carefully, as opportunistic thieves could strike if they believe the expensive items are inside the property.

      Some people might consider marking their new purchases with ultra-violet ink – which is virtually invisible to the naked eye – with their name and post code, so that it can be returned if it is recovered after a break-in.

      Source : UIA

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        A total of 24 people have died of swine flu in Britain since October with children among the dead, authorities said Thursday.

        Data from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) showed 27 people have died with confirmed flu, including 24 with swine flu and three with another strain.

        Nine children and 18 adults have died, although the data does not indicate which of the victims did not die from swine flu.

        the HPA said it was concerned that people in at-risk groups, such as those over the age of 65 and people with respiratory conditions, were failing to get themselves vaccinated.

        London, Dec 23, 2010 (AFP)

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