D&G rapped for advertisement
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has upheld a complaint against Domestic & General (D&G) Insurance. D&G's brochure for household appliance insurance said: "our policies provide complete protection – we cover the full cost of both parts and labour". A complainant noted that his Certificate of Insurance stated "total liability during any one period of insurance shall not exceed £750 including parts, labour and VAT". The authority concluded that phrases such as "complete protection" and "we cover the full cost" exaggerated the protection available. - Also Going Places Leisure Travel was censured for an advert that misleadingly suggested free insurance was available on most holidays.
Rollinson Smith leisure division
Midlands-based insurance broker Rollinson Smith has launched a new entertainment and leisure division. Nick Phipps, a manager with the UB40 pop group for 16 years, will handle marketing developments.
Axa defends art cover
Axa Nordstern has rejected claims that major works of art in public ownership cannot be insured. Following the recent theft of a Cezanne painting, the Government said it was deterred from insurance "because of the enormous cost". But David Scully, chief underwriter at Axa Nordstern, said: "The premiums have been falling for over a decade."
Newsagents' cover success
The National Federation of Retail Newsagents' new scheme for its 25,000 members is proving successful in taking business away from brokers. The trade body set up a mutual insurance company last August and developed a scheme with RSA. To date, it has 400 newsagents on cover and is aiming for 1.500 by August. As a mutual, it need not charge insurance premium tax, which allows it to price competitively.
PWC and E&Y work for GISC
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) and Ernst & Young (E&Y) are believed to have been hired to carry out the GISC's monitoring functions. Discussions will be held on how to apportion the work of monitoring GISC membership.
Groupama set to change logo
Groupama, the French parent company of newly-merged Gan and Lombard, is changing its group logo later this year. The familiar green church and field symbol will be replaced by a new one, which is yet to be finalised.
CGU acquires Hibernian
CGU's bid for Irish insurer the Hibernian Group has gone unconditional. CGU already held 28% of Hibernian, and has now acquired the outstanding shares.
Clark has new job at Crawford
Jonathan Clark has been appointed director of strategic operations development for the UK, Europe and Africa division at Crawford & Company. He has been with the firm since 1997 and is currently UK marketing director. His new role will see him overseeing business and operational planning for new markets as well as strategic project management. He will also act as team leader for high-profile or complex losses in the fields of food and consumer product liability, and construction professional indemnity.
