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
New To Insurance?
Did you just get a new car or home? Or maybe just graduate from college and need to find health insurance since you will be off of your parents plan soon? Or have you started a new business after losing your job and need to make sure you are insured? If any of these things apply to you, or you are just looking into life insurance to make sure that your family is protected in case something happens to you, then you should check out NetQuote.
You just go online and look up Netquote and on the front page it will ask you what kind of insurance you are looking for and your zip code. You type in the information (you can search several kinds of insurance, you don't have to just do one) and they will ask you for a few more things before giving you results.
This is a great way to be able to compare different plans and prices of insurance all on one page and not have to go to different websites of the companies or call around and wait ten minutes to talk to a real person about it.
Buying insurance is a major deal and a huge step that you take in your life. A lot is riding on the insurance plan that you choose so you need to make sure that you are putting a lot of effort and consideration into what you choose. If you get into a car accident or something happens to your home, you need immediate attention from people who care and understand and knowing which agency will give that to you is all in the research that you put into it. And if you are a new business owner, it can be scary enough to not really know what you are doing or maybe start from nothing and try to work yourself up to the top. But having that insurance behind you will make you much more confident.
And don't forget about life insurance. What can give you more of a piece of mind than to know that your family will be taken care of if something were to happen to you. Whether you are single and just starting out, or a parent with four kids, having that security puts your mind at ease and you need to make sure you have the right insurance company behind you and NetQuote can give it to you.
Posted on Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 8:08 AM by Brian
Consumers Value Quality Highest When Choosing Cover, Say Go Travel Insurance
BASILDON, England, Dec. 7 /Moneywatch.com/ -- A recent survey by Go Travel Insurance has revealed that consumers value the quality and level of cover provided by their insurance policy over and above the actual price.
Customers were asked which factors were most important to them when choosing travel insurance, level of cover came in first, followed by price and then 'personal recommendation' by family or friend.
The quality of cover is particularly important for ski and snowboard enthusiasts and as the winter sport season is getting under way, it is time to invest in travel insurance. Ski breaks are one of the most expensive types of holiday a family can go on. So many people try to cut costs and forgo arranging travel insurance. In fact, 25 per cent of the British public still persist in travelling without insurance. However, this can prove a false economy.
If you break a leg on the slopes treatment can cost around 4000 pounds in Europe and up to 10,000 pounds in the US. With a travel insurance policy based on price alone you could end up paying high excesses and therefore having to foot some of the bill for the associated costs; air lifting, ambulances and extended hospital stays all add up and if you're not properly covered you could end up out of pocket. Some consumers have had to learn the hard way, that selecting insurance on price alone can prove more costly in the long run.
Winter sports insurance from Go Travel Insurance includes cover for skiing and snowboarding; medical expenses up to 10 million pounds; cancellation and curtailment up to 3,000 pounds, 24-hour medical emergency support - which can be particularly helpful if you aren't in an English speaking country and, as an added bonus for families, children are covered free of charge on single trip policies.
So before you get blown away by the price of a travel insurance policy, read the small print and check exactly what is included so you won't be left stranded up a mountain with a broken leg.
About Go Travel Insurance
Go Travel Insurance has been selling holiday insurance online since 2000, providing instant quotes with quick, easy and secure online buying.
Whether it's a single trip policy, or annual travel insurance, Go Travel Insurance offers a truly end to end service, with claims, call centre and medical screening, all handled in-house in the UK, giving a customer-focused and professional service every time. For more information visit http://www.gotravelinsurance.co.uk.
Go Travel Insurance is a division of Drakefield Insurance Services Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
Posted on Friday, December 18, 2009 @ 5:10 PM by Brian
CHECKING OUT THE FREE ONLINE GAMES
Honestly, I love online games, because unlike the video game consoles there are always new games that come available and many are free so you don't feel badly if the game is just a flop, or you just aren't enjoying it. With video games I always feel obligated to keep playing them once I have bought them, after all if you invest $50 in a game and another couple of hundred in the game system, you really expect that it should be enjoyable, yet somehow it has come to my attention that many of the free online games like blackjack for instance are much more fun than those that I have paid a lot of money. Now some people like those reality games, but I am more into strategy games and games where I can compete with other online players. It just makes it a lot more interesting that way.
Online gaming also serves as a social outlet for me because many sites offer you free online chats whileyou play and I have met different opponents from all around the world. Although, I do find that I prefer competing with those who speak the same language as me because sometimes when you get a foreign opponent you don't have a clue how to read them.
Just a warning though, the world of online gaming can be really addictive. Don't get me wrong, it is great fun, but whenever a new game comes along I find that I am compelled to give it a try. Reality games are okay, but I much prefer a strategy game something that requires me to think and outwit my opponent and honestly I win about 80% of the time which is really good with the level of competition that is out there. And being able to game competitively against people from around the world really lets you know whether you are really good, mediocre or just plain lousy at a game, but why choose to play a game if you know that you don't stand a chance of winning, that just doesn't make much sense at all.
Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 @ 8:49 AM by Brian
DECIDING ON A LOGO DESIGN THAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU
Logos are very important to your business and understanding this can actually go a long way in helping to promote your business. Your logo if it is good and unique will catch the eye of customers and potential ones, before they have even had time to read the words. Logo imprinting can be done on just about any item, but if you are considering promotional product advertising, than you really need to give some careful consideration to the look and feel of your logo. Some very simple logos like those for McDonalds and Nike are very simple logos and yet they have come a long way in promoting business for those large companies, so truly a simple logo may take your business a lot further than a logo that is more complex. Keeping this in mind you still may find that you need help with your logo design, and so it may be wise to look at some companies that offer a choice of logo design packages to choose from.
Many artists will be willing to help you design your logo as well as promotional product companies and of course, large advertising firms. You may already know what you want, but it may still take a professional to give you the advice you need to turn your idea into a fully functioning business logo. Exploring all of your options before deciding on the business logo that is right for you, can make all the difference between the success or failure of your marketing strategies.
A professional can help you not only design your logo, but also get that logo print ready in the colors that will best suit your business. Having advice and guidance can help you choose the logo that is perfect to represent your business and with a variety of logo design packages to choose from you can choose a design package that not only fits your business needs but your budget as well.
Posted on Monday, November 30, 2009 @ 9:30 AM by Brian
Corporate ethics codes
Corporate ethics codes
While working at CBE, I attended the "Managing Ethics in Organizations (MEO)" program, as part of the Graduate Certificate in Business Ethics, as well as having gained exposure to many corporate ethics codes, practices and training programs.
Today, working for a British institutional investor, many of the people I met at the MEO program are my first points of contact at companies in which we invest. As part of the responsible shareholding program at the Co-operative Car Insurance Society (CIS), we not only analyze companies' financial performance - but also their record on ethical, social and environmental issues. From my CBE experience, I am very aware of the value that a well thought-out ethical code provides for corporations. These codes are essential as a set of corporate priorities, a tool for risk management, and a guiding document to support employees from the bottom to the top of the organization.
As a CIS analyst for a large portfolio of U.S. stocks,
I realize the importance of examining a company's code of ethics and how it implements this code. In this way, I can better advise fund managers on the quality of a corporation's management (how well has the company thought through its business operations?); whether major risks are identified and managed; whether management is likely to recognize and address a serious concern (wherever it may be raised within the company); and whether employees are likely to be supported and motivated by the company's commitment to a set of principles.
Gaining knowledge of best (and worst) practice examples while at CBE has been incredibly useful in my job -not only can I benchmark companies but, as part of CIS' engagement approach, I encourage managers at the companies we hold to work towards best practice. As we see it, business ethics is key to sustainable business.
Former CBE Staff Assistant and Analyst in the Responsible Shareholding Unit at Co-operative Insurance Society Ltd, U.K - Juliet Altham
Posted on Monday, November 16, 2009 @ 10:10 AM by Brian
ORDERING RETURN ADDRESS LABELS AND RUBBER STAMPS ONLINE
These days, the internet can make your life a whole lot simpler. Many people shop the internet for all their holiday shopping, but I find that this takes some of the fun out of the holidays, at least for me. I like to go from store to store until I find the perfect gift for that special someone. It is a challenge, but one that I truly enjoy especially when the stores are decorated for the holidays.
I do find ways to purchase things online at the holidays though that do make my life a little simpler. For instance, I can use the internet to shop around for my fun address labels. This really saves me time and I know that I can look around quickly and get a fair price. Honestly, these items are relatively inexpensive and they are a beautiful way to dress up your envelopes. Address labels save you time and money when you are busy during the holidays, and when I order them online they usually arrive at my door in less than a week. I always purchase the ones that you can just stick on your envelopes making them really simple to get done quickly.
I have also ordered return address stamps online, because I have found that decorating my packages with tissue paper and rubber stamp inkings is a great way to create a unique looking gift without overspending on the more expensive wrapping papers.
The internet can also help you find those unique gifts that you can't find in stores. Items like antique lamps and music boxes make really great gifts for the collectors on your list, and those items you won't be able to find in your local department store.
There are many ways that you can use the internet to help you get through the holidays with a little less stress and a little more ease. Order those items online that you know you will need and you will find that your holiday season will be a much happier experience.
Posted on Monday, October 05, 2009 @ 9:55 AM by Brian
LOOKING UP DAY TRADING STRATEGIES ON THE WEB
I have always wanted to know more about making money through day trading and since my recent unemployment I have consider trying it out to see if I can supplement my income and bring in a little bit extra. I have heard that it is pretty simple once you get the hang of it and I have a friend who is supporting himself just on the money that he is making buying and selling stock each day, so I know that it is possible.
I have been looking up information on the web about it all week and it is beginning to make sense to me, but I am extremely ADD when it comes to staying on track and so many times I find myself getting distracted when I am on the internet. Like first I am looking at day trading strategies and then there is a pop up for a new weight loss product and so I have to click on it. I am not even interested in the diet pills, but once I begin reading the information I start thinking that I could stand to lose a few pounds. And even when I wind up with a product in front of me, like joint supplement that personally I have just no use for, I begin thinking of my friend who has been struggling with the knees and has been considering surgery and so I save the information to my history so that I can let her know about it. Honestly, I just can't get enough of the web. Day and night I love to play games and talk to friends, but there is also so much information. Yesterday, I was having trouble with my car and with not too much money in my bank account I started looking online to try and find some information about diagnosing the problem and it is really truly amazing. I found that the problem that I was having with my car was actually so common that they currently are recalling the vehicle for it. So now I can get my car repaired for free.
The internet can really save you time and money and even make you money if you know how to use it.
Posted on Friday, September 18, 2009 @ 2:46 PM by Brian