M&S mulls pet move
Marks & Spencer is considering a move into the expanding pet insurance market.
The financial services arm of the food retailer is looking to capitalise on its band of pet …
M&S mulls pet move
Marks & Spencer is considering a move into the expanding pet insurance market.
The financial services arm of the food retailer is looking to capitalise on its band of pet-owning shoppers with its own-brand pet insurance.
M&S is keen to gain a head start in an increasingly competitive market, worth over £160m a year.
A spokesman said negotiations were near completion with a leading underwriter.
The new policy will be competing against 60 insurers, who are vying for prominence in the increasingly proliferating market.
Mondial gets deal
Mondial Assistance UK has been selected to underwrite Leading Edge's specialist policy for backpackers.
Mondial will provide the emergency backup that backpackers often need.
Previously Leading Edge used multi-party suppliers, but wanted to streamline its backpacker policy management.
PartnerRe expands
Bermudian reinsurer PartnerRe has announced that it hopes to expand its aviation business to more than $200m (£129m) of premiums.
PartnerRe chief executive Patrick Thiele said: "We will quadruple [premiums] between 2000 and 2002."
The company enjoyed strong growth in 2001.
Despite culling its aviation business in the late 1990s because of the poor market, the reinsurer has shifted focus on general aviation.
Thiele added that competition was set to return to the aviation market.
Preferential site
Preferential Travel Insurance Services has launched a new customer website.
The company's new online mascot `Preferential Pete' will host the site .
Offering a policy investigator and a sales facility, the website will offer new Preferential products, including home and motor policies.
Security is the website's main feature, with new additions including a secure purchasing facility and confidential quote comparisons.
Women drivers site
Link Insurance have launched a new website, www.youngladydriver.co.uk , to help young women access affordable insurance.
Developed in conjunction with Winsure, the site can provide instant cover at a competitive price.
The website compares quotes from a number of online providers and enables drivers to access extra services such as learner policies.
Motor Trade grows
Motor Trade Solutions - the broker-only arm of motor trade specialist Road Runner - has reported a 10% rise in brokers wishing to use its facilities.
The company has attributed the growth to a successful differentiation between the direct and wholesale channels.
A £150,000 investment in new IT and communications technology has reduced the workload for brokers.
Law firm updates
Law firm Veitch Penny has started offering a free weekly update on significant personal injury decisions on its website.
The free bulletins, at www.vpinsurance.net , cover the issues covered in the case, the facts of the case, the decision and some comment. The database can be searched by name and issue.
