A mummified cat, a third birthday, a golden retriever and a new video series on reinvention. What has the insurance industry been up to of late? You heard it here first…
Happy birthday Acini
Insurtech Acini celebrated its third anniversary on 8 October 2024 with a London-based party, complete with balloons, singing, drinks and networking. The shindig included a pub quiz at the Red Lion in Bishopsgate, with Roger Foord, owner and managing director at consultancy Lime Street Solutions, acting as quiz master.
Purr-sistent presence?
Last month, in the build up to Halloween on 31 October, insurer Aviva revealed the spookiest claims stories from its 328-year-old archive.
One meow-stery from its back catalogue involved a 300-year-old mummified kitten that had been removed from the walls of a Suffolk-based hotel during building renovations.
After the mummified cat was uncovered, the hotel owners wanted to frame the feline. However, upon being sent to a framing shop, this venue caught on fire – the cat remained unharmed. Next, the kitten was transported to a workshop, which also subsequently caught on fire. The unlucky puss was taken back to the hotel, only for yet another fire to break out.
Peace was eventually restored when the cat was laid to rest in a glass topped casket in the hotel dining room.
Furry family
Also in October 2024, MGA ManyPets revealed its latest advertising campaign, showcasing the bond between pets and their parents.
The advertisement – which aims to underscore the importance of pet insurance – is centred on golden retriever Ziggy, following his journey from puppy up until his golden years.
In November 2024, ManyPets announced that it was exiting the US pet insurance market to focus on its UK proposition. The MGA exited the Swedish market last year.
Reinvented
Professional services firm Accenture has launched a video series called Reinvented with Accenture.
This sees the company’s chair and chief executive, Julie Sweet, conduct a fireside chat with one of its clients, discussing reinvention and the duo’s work together.
October 2024’s episode featured Carlos Torres Vila, chair at Argentinian banking firm BBVA, who spoke about digital reinvention. November’s instalment, meanwhile, included Corie Barry, chief executive at consumer electronics firm Best Buy. Barry discussed how her firm is using artificial intelligence.
The Speculator
On 6 November 2024, Donald Trump was declared president of the United States (US) for the second time, making him America’s 47th president.
Trump was voted out of the White House back in 2020, but after a long 2024 campaign against Democratic rival Kamala Harris – which saw Trump survive two assassination attempts – the billionaire achieved 295 votes and a 50.9% majority.
With Trump back at the helm in America, what will this mean for US-UK relations and what could the underlying ripple effect be for the UK general insurance industry – especially considering Trump’s ambition to quash rising inflation?
Interested in all things insurance technology and insurtech.
Writer of the monthly TechTalk section of the magazine and backchat. When not writing can be found doing yoga, at some kind of dance workshop, singing, globetrotting, or baking – not in any specific order.View full Profile
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