In Brief

Live at Biba with IT
Insurance Times is going live on webcam at this year's British Insurance Brokers' Association (Biba) conference, in association with marketing company Rarrigini & Rosso and Royal & Sunalliance.
From our TV studio at the conference on 26 to 28 April, we will be bringing you live interviews with key industry figures and delivering the latest reports on industry news and trends.
Watch out for the live coverage and then join the online discussion from Monday April 30 on www.insurancetimes.co.uk

NU steps up campaigns
Norwich Union (NU) has launched a spring marketing campaign to target the household sector.
The campaign has kicked off with “Botchwatch” – designed to help householders avoid falling victim to rogue repairers. This will be followed by consumer campaigns giving advice on moving house and DIY and promoting optional insurance.
NU is the largest household insurer in the UK, with 25% market share since it merged with CGU.

Fry's sudden resignation
Rob Fry, the director of development at Premium Credit, the premium finance house, suddenly resigned this week after just eight months in the post.
Fry, who was previously with rival company Prompt, said the position did not live up to his expectations, but added that the split had been amicable.
Fry was one of two directors who left Prompt to move Premium Credit. The other was Steve Robinson.

Looking into ULR issues
The General Insurance Standards Council has set up a sub-group to look at ways regulations will affect uninsured loss recovery (ULR) companies, their products and their claims processes.
This follows a meeting of representatives from both before the event and after the event organisations.
Two of the five-strong sub-group will represent the interests of the 11 motor ULR association companies.

High stunt
The London Underwriting Centre (LUC) is the venue for a challenge set by the popular TV programme Don't Try This At Home, to be screened this weekend.
The challenge involves rigging a 60ft-long rope ladder across the LUC atrium, 200ft above ground level.
Contestant Duncan Jeffrey had to confront his fear of heights by traversing on his hands and knees across the rope ladder seven storeys up.

Two-year salvage deal
Vehicle salvage company Universal Salvage has signed a contract with Cox Claims Management.
The deal covers the salvage of private and light commercial vehicles and will run for a minimum of two years.
Ian Gaskin, environmental services manager at Universal Salvage, said it hoped to develop a long-term relationship with Cox.

Call for travel insurance
Primary Insurance is urging travel agents to promote the sale of travel insurance at the same time as holidays in the light of possible air traffic control strikes over the Easter holiday.
It says many holiday-makers are unaware that travel insurance policies will typically not provide cover for strikes or industrial action if the dates have been announced before the insurance is taken out.

New office
Impact Media, an insurance and IT PR and marketing consultancy for the Lloyd's Market, has relocated to the City.
Impact's new office will be at 14 Lovat Lane, EC3. Impact was previously located near Gatwick.

Often left in the dark
Local councillors are not given enough information about the risk management implications of the decisions they are asked to make, an Association of Local Authority Risk Managers review has revealed. This was the answer of almost two-thirds of people questioned during a Best Value review of High Wycombe District Council, one of England's biggest councils with a £50m budget and 600 staff. Best Value places a duty on local authorities to deliver services to clear standards of cost and quality.

Flying pays off
Independent airline British European and Bristol insurer Medisure are offering multi-trip worldwide annual travel cover in exchange for frequent flyer points. It will take four business return flights to earn enough points for single cover, five flights for cover for two people and six for a family. For a small fee, Medisure will upgrade the cover to include high-risk activities.

Sail away
Lloyd's Yacht Club has appointed Formula 1 Events for the next five years to manage the Lutine Lineslip Regatta. It will be fronted by round-the-world skippers Alex Thompson and Adrian Faiers.

PI insurers go large in UK
Alexander Forbes UK has completed the acquisition of broker Alfred Blackmore Group. Together, the combined companies will form one of the UK's largest professional indemnity (PI) insurance specialists. Alexander Forbes UK said the move was part of the group's strategy of expanding outside its domestic South African market. As well as PI insurance, Alfred Blackmore is known for its its expertise in the contractors, resinsurance and bloodstock markets.

Discover your rights
Law firm Crutes is hosting a free seminar on the Human Rights Act. The event, held on Thursday March 22 at Rheged Discover Centre in Penrith, Cumbria, is aimed at local authorities which are already facing more litigation cases as a result of the legislation. It will look at the impact of last year's act on employment issues, stress claims, planning enforcement, CCTV, nuisance topics and rent arrears.

Healthcare Plus new at Aon
Aon Risk Services in the US and Non-Marine Reinsurance in the UK have created an international healthcare division called Healthcare Plus. It will be headed by Hugh B. Jago, executive director, in London. He was previously managing director of Unionamerica in London, where he was the leading underwriter on a substantial book of reinsurance and insurance healthcare accounts.

BDL's fleet grows by 60
Bournemouth-based claims company Bikers Legal Defence (BDL), has boosted its fleet of motorcycles to 60 for use across the UK. BLD has its own fleet of motorcycles and scooters to support motorcyclists involved in no-fault accidents. The company plans to invest £3m over the next two years.

Plexus mix-up
Last week Insurance Times incorrectly reported that Plexus Online was owned by Marlborough Sterling, in a page three news brief on Marlborough's imminent floatation. Marlborough owns software company Plexus Systems Design, not Plexus Online. We apologise for any incovenience caused.

What a treat
Staff at liability adjusters The Quest Partnership are jetting off for a free holiday in Las Vegas to celebrate the firm's 10th year in business. Quest partners Peter and Carol Mann are treating employees and their partners to four days at The Mirage Hotel on the famous “Strip”. More than 30 people are expected to fly out on March 15 to the US gambling and entertainment mecca.