Crawford bank deal
Loss adjuster Crawford & Company UK has secured a deal with Northern Rock bank to supply external services for domestic claims. Under the deal, as a nominated service provider, Crawford will provide nationwide adjusting services. In addition Northern Rock will have access to Crawford's National Subsidence Unit and Counter Fraud Solution Service. Ian Muress, Crawford chief executive officer, UK & Ireland, said: "We are delighted to be working in partnership with Northern Rock, as we believe that in order to bring innovation to the market we must work with like-minded business partners."
Zenith EDI goes live
Sirius Financial Systems has announced that Zenith's full-cycle EDI product is live on its front-office quotation system, Gemini. The addition of Zenith's Home product into the system will give brokers access to policy documentation.
Travel claims
Only 35% of travel policy claims are settled in full, according to research from Sainsbury's Bank. The research found that one in three people have had a disaster when abroad, with 11% claiming they needed medical treatment. But only 11% of these claims were partly settled and 7% were turned down.
NU risk factsheets
Norwich Union (NU) Risk Services has produced a range of online risk management factsheets for brokers. A series of 120 factsheets have been added to the company's website www.nu-riskservices.co.uk, covering a range of health, safety, security, fire and environmental topics.
EU invests in IT
European insurers are set to spend ¤21.7bn (£15bn) on information technology this year, according to Celent Communications. The report claimed IT spend from the industry would also rise by an additional ¤600m (£423m) in 2004.
CCG uses Sirius
Insurance software specialist Sirius Financial Systems has announced a deal with commercial brokers Chorlton Cloughly Group (CCG). The broker has purchased a 20-user Sirius for Broking (S4B) system.
Hurricane warning
Benfield Hazard Research Centre has forecast that Atlantic hurricane activity in the coming year will be slightly above average. The outlook from the consortium of experts has effectively lowered their previous forecast. Benfield is now predicting that around two intense hurricanes will occur this year, which is below the ten-year average of three intense hurricanes per year. However, it is also higher than the 30-year average of two per year.
BWP puts PI online
BWP has launched an online wholesale professional indemnity (PI) facility. The facility, available on BWP's website at braywintourpatis.com, enables brokers to undertake instant quotes, proposal forms and binding business online.
Arc Legal deal
Legal expenses provider Arc Legal Assistance has been appointed by Deacon Insurance Services to provide legal cover for customers. The Home Owners Legal Cost policy includes cover for defence costs for prosecutions brought under gas, electrical equipment and the furniture regulations. Arc Legal Assistance will also provide a legal advice line for Deacon's private and residential management company customers.
Chubb UHNW team
Chubb Company of Europe has unveiled its team of underwriters for its ultra high net worth (UHNW) business. The team, known as Masterpiece Signature, will be based in London and will be led by Chubb fine art underwriting manager Jamie Keaney.
HBOS hires broker
Halifax Bank of Scotland Group (HBOS) has appointed reinsurance intermediary, Guy Carpenter, as its household reinsurance broker in a three-year deal.
