According to the information provided by AA Insurance around 4,000 caravans are stolen each year in the UK, with the midlands being the area from which they vanish more than any other.
It has been suggested that the convergence of several main motorways could explain the Midlands status as caravan theft capital of the UK. With the M6 and M1, as well as the M42, all close by it is easy to get to any part of the country, traffic excepted of course. AA Insurance figures show the Midlands loses 10 percent more caravans than anywhere else.
Caravan owners should ensure their caravan is always secured, making it harder for thieves to take it away. This is especially true at this time of year, said the AA Insurance spokesman, since many people prepare the caravan on the drive prior to setting off for a trip. This is when it is most vulnerable.
The Prudential, the second largest life insurance provider in the UK, has seen the Peoples Bank of China take a one percent stake in the company, worth GBP130 million.
The move puts the Chinese bank into the top 25 of institutional investors in the Prudential, though there is no feeling that the holding is leading up to a takeover bid. The Chinese bank invests in many different businesses and a one percent holding is not uncommon. Speculation came because of the Prudential developing the Asian market though the management at the insurer welcomes the investment.
Such is the activity of the Prudential in Asia that their growth for the first half of the year was 14 percent, a remarkable step forwards.
The Brazilian arm of Zurich Insurance has just announced the purchase of two insurance companies in the South American country.
The deal, which is worth around GBP120 million, gives Zurich Insurance and 87 percent stake in one company and a 100 percent stake in another. Zurich will make an initial payment of GBP89 million for the two businesses, plus a GBP15 million bancassurance agreement and the potential for a further GBP15 million paid out if performance figures are achieved.
Bancassurance will enable the newly acquired businesses to sell their Zurich Insurance products through local bank branches, a significant opportunity and well worth the amount paid.
