A round-up of the latest insurance stories online

Despite the annual Christmas shutdown, there were still plenty of good reasons for our online readers to log on to the website throughout late December and early in the new year.

Last month, we revealed more details of Towergate's impending private equity deal. This has become the most popular web story of the past few weeks.

There was also good news for the consolidator's founder, Peter Cullum, as 2010 drew to a close. Cullum was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours list for services to business and charity. Visitors to insurancetimes.co.uk were among the first to read about the news.

Speculation surrounded a Zurich bid for motor insurer Admiral, which became the second most popular story of the festive period. All the talk in the City led to a rallying of Admiral’s shares.

Just days before Santa set off on his annual delivery, Giles unveiled its 2010 results. Christmas hadn’t come early for the acquisitive broker, but it remained upbeat despite posting declining turnover and EBITDA.

Cobra’s half-year results made an appearance on the site on Christmas Eve, when it announced a 4% increase in pre-tax profits to £390,000 for the six months to 30 September.

Our online visitors found comfort in our photo galleries over Christmas, in particular our snaps from the Insurance Times Awards. And Janice Deakin’s blog attracted a healthy number of clicks.

Traffic spiked as the busy festive sporting calendar brought managers to the site to check their fantasy football and rugby teams.

And as the new year gets under way, our mystery market blogger, Sid, has already posted his first instalment of 2011.

Check out the site for more blogs. Happy new year.

Online Top 10

Towergate private equity deal - latest

Admiral's shares up on Zurich takeover talk

Giles revenue drops 3% in 2010

Photo special: Insurance Times Awards - part 2

Peter Cullum gets CBE

Cobra's profits up 14%

Janice Deakin's Blog

Allianz Commercial e-trading book grows 40%

Admiral launches in France

FSA's record-breaking year of fines