Global brokers survey sees shift at the top
A new episode of AM Best TV looks at the firm’s survey of global insurance brokers and the move up to third place of Arthur J Gallagher & Co. However it suggests that things could change with the recent announcement of the merger of Willis Group and Towers Watson. Executive editor of Best’s Review, Patricia Vowinkel explained: “The list is of the top global insurance brokers and is based on 2014 results by total revenue. Each spring, A.M. Best reaches out to brokers requesting them to provide us with their financial information, which we then verify and publish.”
Analysis accompanying the list also looks at what is driving the insurance broker industry. “A.M. Best sees three things driving this industry: offers of multiple services, a company’s size and its global reach (which recently has become very important) and brokers empathizing their actuarial, advisory and benefits management abilities,” added Vowinkel. The video is available at ambest.com
Insurance professionals join Colorado health-coverage exchange board
Insurance broker Jay Norris from Northern Colorado will join Aetna’s Marc Reece as new members of the board of Colorado’s health-coverage exchange. The pair were selected by the state senate and will replace Dr Mike Fallon and Arnold Salazar and will serve for four years. However Health News Colorado reports that the state’s lawmakers are due to meet Wednesday to discuss the future of the exchange and may vote to scrap it in favor of sending consumers to the federal exchange.
MSH International contracts software firm to improve transparency
MSH International, which provides healthcare solutions for expatriate employees worldwide, has awarded a large software contract to Canadian firm Spieker Point. Its CEO Greg Campbell explained what it will be able to bring to the insurer: “MSH is our dream customer in so many ways. They have so much data that we can now visualize for them instantly, allowing them to provide comprehensive data reports and analysis both internally and to their clients. We are improving their account management process and how they interact with their customers.”
Audatex owner to acquire auto repair data firm
Solera Holdings, the international provider of risk and asset management software which operates Audatex in the US and Canada, has agreed to purchase 100 per cent of Identifix, a company which provides the auto repair sector with software to improve efficiency and reduce both the cost and timescale of repairs. Solera says that the acquisition fits with its plan to further expand and connect its risk management platform.
