News

The financial Ombudsman (FOS) is calling for a budget increase of up to £15m in 2011/12 to deal with a shift towards harder-fought cases, but says it will freeze case fees and its general annual levy for the second year running.

Fortis Life has completed its rebrand as Ageas Protect.

Private medical insurers could be heading for a full scale conflict with medical practitioners as doctors' leaders are increasingly targeting providers' fee schedules.

The Association of Financial Mutuals (AFM) has welcomed the FSA's exemption of Holloway protection products from the Retail Distribution Review (RDR) but said the ‘limited' concession does not go far enough.

Protection advice drove only 4% of people who sought out an IFA last year, according to results from Unbiased.

The Association of Medical Insurance Intermediaries (AMII) wants the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) review of the private healthcare sector to produce greater clarity from medical insurers and practitioners.

The FSA today proposes income protection plans with a 'small' investment element, better known as Holloway policies, should be exempt from the RDR's adviser charging and professionalism rules.

Employers are neglecting business protection and employee benefits in a bid to cut costs, according to a new study.

Health Shield has raised premiums for one of its cash plans while adding a lower price level for another scheme.

Cirencester friendly has called on the government to play its part in supporting simple financial products by publicising those that already exist.