A round-up of the latest insurance stories online

Online traffic soared this week as visitors to our website logged on for reaction to the 2010 Insurance Times Awards. Just hours after the awards were handed out at Battersea Evolution in London, the full rundown of winners appeared on the site. The much-anticipated list became an instant hit and landed the top spot in this week’s top 10 most popular stories.

On Twitter, followers of @InsTimesNews also kept up to date with award winners during the event. Those tweeting #ITAwards included @brettandrandall, who said: “Lost out on independent broker of the year. Well done to Bridge. Roll on next year!” @NeilGrimshaw commented: “Good work. Great new format.”

Our photos from the awards, where winners were snapped with host for the evening Chris Evans, also ranked highly.

Web traffic had already spiked when AXA unveiled its new commercial chief executive. In one of the biggest moves of the year, Towergate’s Amanda Blanc returned to the insurer in a sensational switch.

We revealed some other movers and shakers on the site too. Confused.com’s boss Carlton Hood headed for the exit door, as did QBE’s Bernard Mageean. In our Insight section for subscribers, we asked: ‘Why did former golden boy Bernard Mageean leave QBE?’, which also proved popular.

News of Giles’s biggest ever acquisition, Channel Islands broker RA Rossborough, struck a chord with our online readers when the story landed in inboxes.

Finally, mention must also be given to the weather. Snow-related stories have featured heavily across the web over the past week. On our site, coverage included RSA’s warning that the freezing conditions cost the economy as much as £1.2bn a day.

Online top 10

Insurance Times Awards: winners revealed

Photo special: 2010 Awards winners

Towergate's Blanc named AXA commercial boss

Giles completes largest ever acquisition

Towergate reacts to Blanc exit

Carlton Hood in Confused exit

Bernard Mageean in shock QBE exit

In pictures: Motor claims clinic

Corrie and Eastenders 1m insurance bill

Ascot buys motor book from Lloyd's rival Jubilee