Sportscover News


View Sportscover News Archive

Please click on a title below to show/hide the related media release or news story:

What if I owned a... football club      Lloyd's Market News: 19 November 2009

What if I owned a... football club

Read the whole story at Lloyd's

Owning a football club is one of the riskiest commercial ventures around but nearly all the risk exposure issues are insurable.

Huge television deals and global advertising sponsorship opportunities continue to tempt investors from around the world into acquiring UK premier league soccer clubs.

football field

Many of the buyers are canny business people adding diversity to vast corporate empires. Some of them are simply passionate fans of the beautiful game, whose entrepreneurial judgement has been left on the bench.

Whichever way you look at it, owning a football club must surely be one of the riskiest commercial ventures around. How many other enterprises combine so many risks, from the high value human capital of the players right through to the complex public liability risks represented by a football ground filled with delirious (or disappointed) fans?

Read the whole story at Lloyd's

Lloyd's 40% increase in half year results underlines
security of Lloyd's in difficult financial times
     Lloyd's Press Release: 24 September 2009

Press Release

LL20/09 24/09/2009

Lloyd's reports interim results

Highlights

  • Profit before tax of £1.32 billion (June 2008 £949 million)
  • Combined ratio of 91.6% (June 2008 89%) continues to compare well with our peers who recorded an estimated average of 100% for US property & casualty insurers (June 2008 99%) (i); 94% for US reinsurers (June 2008 98%) (ii); 84% for Bermuda (June 2008 86%) (iii); and 99% for European insurers and reinsurers (June 2008 96%)
  • Investment return £708 million (June 2008 £346 million)
  • Central assets of £2.0 billion (June 2008 £1.9 billion)

Lloyd's, the world's leading specialist insurance market, today announced an interim profit before tax of £1.32 billion for the six month period ending 30 June 2009 (£949m, June 2008). The result reflects continuing underwriting discipline and a relatively low level of catastrophe claims.

A conservative investment mix has resulted in a positive return of £708 million during a period of continuing volatility in financial markets.

Lloyd's Chairman, Lord Levene, said:

"The first six months result has been achieved in what remain challenging circumstances. The market is in solid financial shape and business volumes have increased as a result of brokers and policyholders seeking to use the security of the Lloyd's platform."

"External conditions, however, remain difficult with the US windstorm season and recessionary trends continuing to pose a threat to the insurance industry."

Lloyd's Chief Executive Richard Ward added:

"Lloyd's prudent and conservative approach has ensured that our capital position and ratings remain strong. While we are well placed to take advantage of opportunities through the market's wide product range and distribution channels, our focus must remain on underwriting profitability."

Notes to editors

  1. A copy of Lloyd's Interim Report and presentation to analysts can be accessed at: www.lloyds.com/2009interims
  2. A combined ratio is a measure of an insurer's underwriting profitability based on the ratio of net incurred claims plus net operating expenses to net earned premiums. A combined ratio of 100% is break even. A ratio of over 100% is a loss; less than 100% is a profit.
  3. Sources of combined ratios figures for international peer groups (i) US P&C industry - Insurance Information Institute (estimate - September 2009), (ii) US r/i) - Reinsurance Association of America (August 2009), (iii) Bermuda), Europe P&C & r/i industry, Company Returns / Lloyd's analysis (September 2009).
  4. Central assets include the assets of the Central Fund and the other assets of the Corporation. In aggregate, the value of Lloyd's central assets, excluding the callable layer and the liability in respect of the subordinated debt, amounted to £2.0bn at June 2009 (£1.9bn June 2008)
  5. Balance due to/from Members and Funds at Lloyd's represent the aggregate of each member's resources. These resources operate on a several basis and are only available to meet each member's share of claims. Central Assets are available at Council's discretion to meet the liabilities of any member on a mutual basis.
  6. Foreign exchange rates may materially fluctuate from the rates prevailing at 30 June 2009 (£1 = US$1.65, £1 = €1.17)
  7. This press release includes forward-looking statements. These statements are based on currently available information and consistent accounting policies as applied at 30 June 2009. They reflect Lloyd's current expectations, projections and forecasts about future events and financial performance. All forward-looking statements address matters that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Based on a number of factors, actual results could vary materially from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

- rates and terms and conditions of policies may vary from those anticipated;
- actual claims paid and the timing of such payments may vary from estimated claims and estimated timings of payments, taking into account the preliminary nature of such estimates;
- claims and loss activity may be greater or more severe than anticipated, including as a result of natural or man-made catastrophic events;
- competition on the basis of pricing, capacity, coverage terms or other factors may be greater than anticipated;
- reinsurance placed with third parties may not be fully recoverable, or may not be paid on a timely basis, or such reinsurance from creditworthy reinsurers may not be available or may not be available on commercially attractive terms;
- developments in the financial and capital markets may adversely affect investments of capital and premiums, or the availability of equity capital or debt;
- changes in legal, regulatory, tax or accounting environments in relevant countries may adversely affect (i) Lloyd's ability to offer its products or attract capital, (ii) claims experience, (iii) financial return, or (iv) competitiveness; and
- economic contraction or other changes in general economic conditions could adversely affect (i) the market for insurance generally or for certain products offered by Lloyd's, or (ii) other factors relevant to Lloyd's performance.

The foregoing list of factors is not comprehensive, and should be read in conjunction with other cautionary statements that are included herein or elsewhere. Lloyd's undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.



For further information, please contact:


Louise Shield

Tel: +44 (0)20 7327 5793 Fax: +44 (0)20 7327 5229 Email: moc.sdyoll@dleihs.esiuol

Bart Nash

Tel: +44 (0)20 7327 6272 Fax: +44 (0)20 7327 5229 Email: moc.sdyoll@hsan.trab

For urgent out of hours media calls Tel: +44 (0)7659 597 825

Touchline Magazine
Edition 4: released September 2009
Click here to download Touchline Magazine - edition4

Touchline Magazine

The journal of sport and risk with an international perspective.
Click here to download Edition 4. Back issues available here.

Sportscover Australia wins ANZIIF Underwriting Agency of the Year Award
Media Release: 31 July 2009
Insurance Industry Awards 2009 Winner

Media Release
31 July 2009

Sportscover Australia wins ANZIIF
Underwriting Agency of the Year Award

Download this Media Release as PDF

Sportscover Australia has been named as Underwriting Agency of the Year at the 2009 Australia and New Zealand Insurance Industry Awards. This was the inaugural award for this category, sponsored by Lloyd's.

Murray Anderson, CEO of Sportscover Australia said, "We are very proud to have won this award against some stiff competition. It is a great tribute to the whole team; our staff, our broker network and our clients, because without their fantastic support we would not have been able to grow so significantly over the past 23 years."

Sportscover Australia is a specialist sports and leisure underwriting agency which was originally established by Peter Nash in 1986. Since then, Sportscover has grown to become a worldwide sports and leisure insurance services group which includes a Lloyd's managing agent (Sportscover Underwriting Limited) and a Lloyd's syndicate (3334 SCS). Sportscover Australia continues to operate as an underwriting agency with authority to write business on behalf of the Sportscover syndicate.

Sportscover's Chairman, Peter Nash, was also one of three finalists in the Insurance Leader of the Year Award.

Joan Fitzpatrick, CEO, the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (the Institute) said, "On behalf of the expert judging panel, I wholeheartedly congratulate the winners of this year's awards on their tremendous achievement. Being named as a winner is no ordinary feat, competition is always fierce and with a record number of submissions the calibre this year was incredibly high."

She added, "We are supremely proud of the winners and their innovation, high professional standards, customer service focus and industry leadership. The Insurance Industry Awards are a great opportunity for our industry to take pride in its achievements and excellence. I know that each winner will be extremely proud of their success."

The winners of each category were announced at the Insurance Industry Awards Gala at the Parkside Ballroom, Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, on Thursday 30 July.

Australian owned Sportscover is one of the world's leading sports and leisure insurance services groups with offices in Melbourne, Sydney, London, and Toronto. Using a worldwide broker network, Sportscover specialises in accident, liability, property and contingency insurances for sport and leisure. As a Lloyd's syndicate, SCS 3334 benefits from Lloyd's market rating and is the only A rated dedicated sports and leisure insurer in the world. Sportscover's main underwriting operations comprise Sportscover Underwriting Ltd, Syndicate 3334, Sportscover Australia Pty Ltd, Sportscover Europe Ltd. Sutton-Sportscover Ltd, Sportscover Insurance Ltd, SCI Capital Ltd.

- ends -

For further information please contact:

Australia - Steve Boucher +61 (0)2 4381 2266; e-mail: moc.revocstrops@rehcuob.evets
or Martin Kelly +61 (0)3 8562 9100; moc.revocstrops@yllek.nitram
UK - Matthew Riley or Chris Nash +44 (0)20 7398 4080; moc.revocstrops@gnitekram

"Tremendous 12 months" as Sportscover announced as finalist in two
categories in Insurance Awards
  Media Release: 2 July 2009
sportscover logo
Media Release
2 July 2009

"Tremendous 12 months" as Sportscover announced as finalist in two categories in Insurance Awards

There is a double celebration at Sportscover following the announcement of the finalists in the Australia and New Zealand Insurance Industry Awards for 2009.

Peter Nash, Group Chairman and Director of Underwriting for Sportscover's Lloyd's syndicate is a finalist in the Insurance Leader of the Year category for the third year in succession. The two other finalists in that category are Frank O'Halloran, QBE's Chief Executive Officer and Simon Swanson, former Managing Director of CommInsure.

It has been a year of achievement for Mr Nash with the launch last December of Sportscover's own managing agency at Lloyd's, Sportscover Underwriting Limited, which manages the Sportscover syndicate.

"It has been a tremendous 12 months for the Sportscover group and being a finalist in the Insurance Leader of the Year just tops it off", Mr Nash said.

Sportscover Australia has also been named as one of three finalists for the inaugural award of Underwriting Agency of the Year.

Murray Anderson CEO of Sportscover Australia said, "This is a great tribute to the whole team; our staff, our broker network and our clients. Without their fantastic support we would not have been able to grow so significantly over the past 23 years".

Joan Fitzpatrick, Institute CEO and Chair of the Judging Panel commented that only those submissions that are deemed to be of a suitable standard have been included in the list of finalists.

"Being judged a finalist in your category is an outstanding achievement in itself and something to be very proud of. The competition in each category was very strong and standards were high," Ms Fitzpatrick said.

The winner in each category will be announced at the Insurance Industry Awards Gala at the Parkside Ballroom, Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Thursday 30 July.

Australian owned Sportscover is one of the world's leading sports and leisure insurance services groups with offices in Melbourne, Sydney, London, and Toronto. Using a worldwide broker network, Sportscover specialises in accident, liability, property and contingency insurances for sport and leisure. As a Lloyd's syndicate, SCS 3334 benefits from Lloyd's market rating and is the only A rated dedicated sports and leisure insurer in the world. Sportscover's main underwriting operations comprise Sportscover Underwriting Ltd, Syndicate 3334, Sportscover Australia Pty Ltd, Sportscover Europe Ltd. Sutton-Sportscover Ltd, Sportscover Insurance Ltd, SCI Capital Ltd.

- ends -

For further information please contact:

Australia - Steve Boucher +61 (0)2 4381 2266; e-mail: moc.revocstrops@rehcuob.evets
or Martin Kelly +61 (0)3 8562 9100; moc.revocstrops@yllek.nitram
UK - Matthew Riley or Chris Nash +44 (0)20 7398 4080; moc.revocstrops@gnitekram

For details on all finalists, please see the Institute's website at: www.theinstitute.com.au/anziif
 

Sportscover supports the Lloyd's Games
News Bulletin: 11 June 2009
News Bulletin
11 June 2009

Sportscover supports the Lloyd's Games

For the past twenty years, the Lloyd's Community Programme (LCP) has been supporting the community in the City of London. As a celebration for this, the 20th year, the LCP organised the Lloyd's Games. The event was held on 9 June, involving hundreds of London school children, and giving them the opportunity to see what it would be like to compete in the Olympics.

Ben Wiggins and Jane Anderson, both assistant underwriters at Sportscover, were two of the volunteers at the Games.

Ben said: "We provide cover every day for people taking part in amateur sports, so when we saw it advertised we wanted to get involved. It represents the ethos of our business and allows us to work with kids in the area. It's been hectic, but it's been great fun."

The children took part in eight sports, many of which will feature when the Olympics come to London in 2012, including track and field events, football, hockey, handball and volleyball. The event culminated in a multi-sport relay final.

For the full story and photos of the participants, check out the article in the Lloyd's News Centre.
 

Sportscover Underwriting Limited opens Box 210 at Lloyd's
News Bulletin: 7 May 2009
News Bulletin
7 May 2009
sportscover underwriting ltd logo

Sportscover Underwriting Limited
opens Box 210 at Lloyd's

Sportscover Underwriting Limited, which manages Sportscover syndicate, 3334 SCS, has opened Box 210 at Lloyd's.

Active underwriter, Chris Nash said, "Since Sportscover Underwriting Ltd took over the management of syndicate 3334 last year, we have been working to further increase our profile and brand in the Market. Whilst we have seen a significant increase in business through our office in the London Underwriting Centre, this is a natural step to see more business from passing brokers in Lloyd's."

Sportscover Underwriting box 210 at Lloyd's of LondonHe added "In the few days we have been open we have already had quite a lot of interest".

Sportscover's syndicate started writing business in Lloyd's in 2006 and has been highly successful in focussing on writing sports and leisure business from many markets around the world. This is business that has largely not previously been seen at Lloyd's.

Sportscover Underwriting Ltd CEO, Matthew Riley, said, "Space in Lloyd's has been at a premium and it took us a few months to secure the Box in Lloyd's. However, we see this as another important step in our expansion plans".

Australian owned Sportscover is one of the world's leading sports and leisure insurance services groups with offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, London, Toronto and the Pacific. Using a worldwide broker network, Sportscover specialises in accident, liability, property and contingency insurances for sport and leisure. As a Lloyd's syndicate, SCS 3334 benefits from Lloyd's market rating and is the only A rated dedicated sports and leisure insurer in the world. Sportscover's main underwriting operations comprise Sportscover Underwriting Ltd, Syndicate 3334, Sportscover Australia Pty Ltd, Sportscover Europe Ltd. Sutton-Sportscover Ltd, Sportscover Insurance Ltd, SCI Capital Ltd.

- ends -

For further information please contact:

Australia - Steve Boucher +61 (0)2 4381 2266 or Martin Kelly +61 (0)3 8562 9100
UK - Matthew Riley or Chris Nash +44 (0)20 7398 4080

Touchline Magazine
Edition 3: released March 2009
Click here to download Touchline Magazine - edition3

Touchline Magazine

The journal of sport and risk with an international perspective.
Click here to download Edition 3. Back issues available here.

Sportscover Offers Immediate Assistance to Insureds affected by Bushfires
Media Release: 11 February 2009
Media Release
11 February 2009
sportscover logo

Sportscover Offers Immediate Assistance
to Insureds affected by Bushfires

Sports and leisure insurer Sportscover has offered immediate assistance to client businesses that have been directly affected by the Australian bush fires. Sportscover has set aside initial funds for distribution to affected clients to ensure that they can start to rebuild operations as soon as possible.

Sportscover's Lloyd's syndicate is a major sports and leisure insurer in Australia. Group Chairman, Mr Peter Nash said, "The size of the human and economic tragedy is enormous and our hearts go out to those affected. Although as an insurer we do not appear to have suffered significant losses, we do have a number of client businesses in the areas that may have been very badly affected by the bush fires. They may need urgent assistance to start the rebuilding process and we are here to help".

Mr Nash continued, "The first thoughts on everybody's mind is to make sure that people are safe. However, for many of these communities their local footy club or recreation centre is the focal point and that is where we can help to try to get things back to some kind of normality as soon as possible."

A telephone hotline 1300 134 956 is available for policyholders to notify possible claims.

Sportscover has also announced that its annual Sportscover Sponsorship Fund which is normally allocated to amateur sports clubs based upon submissions from around the country, will this year be allocated to sports clubs who have been affected by the Victorian bush fires. The Fund will be used to distribute grants of $1,000 per club to replace sports equipment that has been lost due to this disaster. Sportscover Australia's CEO Murray Anderson commented, "Whilst some clubs around the country may be disappointed that they will not be eligible to apply for the sponsorship grants this year, we believe that this is an appropriate way in which Sportscover can assist those clubs most affected by the Victorian bushfire tragedy".

Affected clubs who wish to apply can do so through Sportscover's web-site www.sportscover.com/bushfires

Australian owned Sportscover is one of the world's leading sports and leisure insurance services groups with offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, London, Toronto and the Pacific. Using a worldwide broker network, Sportscover specialises in accident, liability, property and contingency insurances for sport and leisure. As a Lloyd's syndicate, SCS 3334 benefits from Lloyd's market rating and is the only A rated dedicated sports and leisure insurer in the world. Sportscover's main underwriting operations comprise Sportscover Underwriting Ltd, Syndicate 3334, Sportscover Australia Pty Ltd, Sportscover Europe Ltd. Sutton-Sportscover Ltd, Sportscover Insurance Ltd and SCI Capital Ltd.

- Ends -

For further information contact:
Australia - Steve Boucher +61 (0)2 4381 2266 or +61 (0)400 243600
UK - Matthew Riley or Chris Nash +44 (0)20 7398 4080