Rise up the Top 50 Broker List
Kwik Fit Insurance has been named as one of the top performers of the year in the Top 50 Brokers list for 2009.
The Uddingston-based intermediary has risen two places to 15th in the overall Top 50 Brokers list published by Insurance Times but was also identified as a 'top performer' in the motor insurance sector by consultants IMAS who compiled the list.
Amid increasingly-fierce competition in the personal lines insurance sector, KFI was one of the businesses recognised for having not only survived but also grown during an unprecedented period of turmoil in the financial markets. Kwik Fit Insurance managed to grow income in 2008 by nearly 20% and increased its EBITDA margin (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) substantially to 25%.
Brendan Devine, Group Managing Director of Kwik Fit Financial Services said: "Featuring highly in the Top 50 brokers list at a time like this is particularly satisfying. We're delighted to be recognised as having improved our position when the market has become a much tougher place in which to operate.
"We're focused on growing the business across the personal lines spectrum and are working hard to ensure that we maintain our competitiveness and continue to offer a first-rate service to all of our customers."
Oliver Laughton Scott, managing principal at IMAS Corporate Advisers who compiled the list said: "Many of the Top 50 brokers have grown profitability significantly in the year, but margins can be only enhanced so far. It is the combination of growth both in turnover and profitability that is crucial to build shareholder value. In growing its profitability faster than revenue, Kwik Fit Insurance has critically pushed margins ahead, yet maintained a growth culture."
Heading up the Top 50 Brokers list was Aon with Marsh in second place and Willis returning in third.
As well as a major presence in contents insurance, since its launch in 1995 Kwik Fit Insurance Services has grown to become one of the UK's leading car insurance distributors, and other insurance markets.
The company's award-winning call centre in Uddingston, Lanarkshire, now employs almost 1000 people, and was named top insurer (17th overall) in the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For 2009.
Posted on Friday, January 15, 2010 @ 4:23 PM by Brian
'Whisky 4 Movember - a Secret, Charity Bottling
Online Whisky Merchant Master of Malt has Launched a Brand New 11 Year Old Orkney Malt Whisky in Support of Men's Health Charity Movember.
Movember is a global charity raising awareness and funds for men's health issues whilst having a spot of fun along the way. Every November, teams show their support by growing Marvellous Moustaches and putting on events to raise funds.
Master of Malt's newest release - Whisky 4 Movember is available with 5 different, limited edition labels, each featuring a famous moustache style:
No. 1 - The Handlebar
No. 2 - The Dali
No. 3 - The Chevron
No. 4 - The Pencil
No. 5 - The Walrus
The whisky is a vatting (mixture) of fine single malt whiskies from the Isle of Orkney, an Island located off the north coast of Scotland. The minimum age of these whiskies is eleven years old, although much of the whisky used in the vatting is older and more complex.
Orkney contains only two distilleries, the coastal and intricate Scapa, and the world famous Highland Park, renowned for its deliciously honeyed whiskies.
The super-limited-edition Whisky 4 Movember bottling will only run to 984 bottles in total, and is available for only GBP29.95. All profits from Master of Malt's Whisky4Movember will be donated directly to the Movember Charity.
Posted on Friday, January 15, 2010 @ 3:37 PM by Brian
AA Travel Insurance Recommends Taking out Travel Cover as Soon as You've Booked Your Trip to the World Cup
BASILDON, England, Oct. 30 /Bizjournals/ -- In the wake of England's qualification for next year's football World Cup in South Africa thousands of fans will already be eagerly anticipating what promises to be a thrilling celebration of the beautiful game.
The AA recommend buying travel insurance as soon as you've booked your trip so that you have cancellation cover in place immediately. With the world cup finals still 7 months away you don't want to lose your hard earned cash if you become unable to travel due to illness or redundancy.
The scramble for tickets is already underway with a conservative estimate of at least 20,000 England fans predicted to descend on South Africa next June. Of course, with such unprecedented numbers set to turn up pretty much simultaneously, safety issues are certain to be a pressing concern.
There is bound to be some degree of trepidation given South Africa's higher than average crime rate and a sensible degree of caution is advised. The usual tourist security advice applies - don't flaunt expensive belongings in public and be careful how openly you use a mobile phone. It is also wise to avoid certain areas after dark. The Foreign Office website is a good place to check for safety advice.
However, none of this should deter anyone from following England to South Africa, with a spokesperson from AA Travel Insurance saying "as long as fans are sensible, take care of themselves and their possessions and buy adequate travel insurance cover, there's no reason why people can't go and have the time of their lives supporting England."
AA Travel Insurance offer 24 hour emergency medical assistance, medical expenses up to GBP 10,000,000 per person and cancellation cover of up to GBP 5,000 per person, so if you're planning on making the trip next summer, buy cover you can trust from the AA.
About AA Travel Insurance
The AA is not only the UK's premier breakdown service we also provide great value travel insurance with cover you can trust.
Our secure website http://www.aatravelinsurance.com allows you to buy UK, European or worldwide travel insurance online in just a few minutes, or if you prefer to talk to someone why not contact our UK-based call centre? Our call agents are available 7 days a week.
AA Travel Insurance is a division of Drakefield Insurance Services Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Drakefield Insurance Services Limited is part of The AA.
Posted on Friday, January 01, 2010 @ 4:04 PM by Brian