Weblog - 23 September 2010

The big story of this week is no surprise: Quinn. The troubled Irish insurer generated record traffic on insurancetimes.co.uk when it went into administration earlier this year, and the industry remains just as hungry for news about the company.

Four of this week’s top 10 stories related to Quinn, including the number one item: the Irish regulator’s decision last Monday not to allow the company to re-enter the UK commercial lines business. The fourth most-read item, published the previous Friday and flagging up Monday’s announcement, underlined how much appetite exists for stories relating to the insurer, as did our coverage of Quinn’s reaction.

But the week wasn’t just about Quinn. The activities of the big consolidators continue to grip Insurance Times’ online readership. Giles’ application for an injunction against former employees who went to work for Scottish broker George Stubbs, as exclusively revealed on the site, made waves.

The stats also show how everybody loves a list, especially when it contains juicy information. Our subscriber-only list of insurance intermediaries who have been banned as a result of failings in relation to client money fitted that bill. For the first time, we pulled together the complete list of general insurance brokers prohibited by the FSA from practising as a result of problems with their clients’ accounts.

Finally, on a lighter note, we carried a report about Confused.com’s warning that households risk higher premiums if they broadcast information about themselves on social media sites.

Quinn barred from UK commercial re-entry

Giles in legal spat with ex-director

Oval hits acquisition trail again

Quinn to decide on re-entry into commercial lines on Monday

Quinn slams regulator's UK ban

Banned the insurance brokers caught mishandling client money (subscriber only)

Anglo sets aside 700m for Quinn losses

Ex-AIG chief Sullivan joins Willis

Facebook will raise premiums

Is Aon losing its GRIP?