Post - 2010-05-06
Articles in this issue
New UK government to face rehab lobby over lack of plan
The UK Rehabilitation Council has pledged to lobby whichever party wins today's election about the absence of any rehabilitation strategy for England, after it emerged Scotland is leading the way on this front and Wales has a multi-million pound…
Fortis and RBSI hail RTA portal link-up success
Only a handful of insurers successfully took steps to link their internal IT systems to the Ministry of Justice's road traffic accident portal ahead of its roll-out, Post has learnt.
Coverzones shuts up shop after finance warning
Commercial insurance aggregator Coverzones has shut up shop less than two years after it commenced trading in June 2008.
Aviva names first corporate risk clients
Aviva has named Streetcar and Marie Curie Cancer Care among its early client wins, as part of its renewed push in the corporate risk sector.
Endsleigh and Lloyds TSB to take volcano claims hit
Endsleigh and Lloyds Banking Group have agreed to compensate customers for certain volcanic ash travel claims following the decision by their underwriter, Axa, not to pay out most claims.
Regulator waits on UK plan
Quinn Insurance's administrators are to spend at least a week on actuarial analysis of the UK commercial lines market before submitting plans to the Financial Regulator about it re-entering further selected lines.
SSP reveals profits rise
Technology firm SSP has revealed that its profit had risen 5% to £17m on revenues of £75m (up 2%) for the 12 months ended 31 March 2010.
Prime Professions to replace Quinn on solicitors account
Prime Professions is poised to replace Quinn with another insurer for its UK solicitors account, with Zurich and Travelers as frontrunners, Post has learnt.
BI specialists urge policy clarifications
Business interruption specialists have urged insurers to clarify their policies following the publication of a Chartered Institute of Loss Adjuster BI wording review.
Editor's comment: Stop the text pests
Over the last fortnight it would appear that several people in the market, including myself, have been sent the same text message.
Reborn takaful firm eyes commercial move
Shariah compliant insurer Salaam Halal has vowed to write commercial business in the UK on its re-entry to the market, following parent group Principle Insurance's acquisition by the Kuwait-based Al-Salam Group.
Kwik Fit's Meechan joins Tesco
Kwik Fit Financial Services insurance development director Gerry Meechan is set to join Tesco as part of its new general insurance structure, Post has learnt.
McLarnon handed new role in Cunningham expansion
Cunningham Lindsey has appointed Paul McLarnon as its first corporate development director to spearhead its expansion in this space.
Dalton to take on Jacobs' role at ABI
The Association of British Insurers has confirmed the appointment of Justin Jacobs' successor as head of property, motor & liability.
Jelf appoints Barton as chief executive
Phil Barton, commercial director of Jelf Group, has been promoted to the newly created role of chief executive of the group's insurance business.
Towergate smooths IPO path with debt restructure
Towergate has enlisted investment bank JP Morgan to advise it on a debt restructure that will extend the length of time it has to repay monies owed by swapping bank debt and preferred shares for a stake in a new subsidiary.
Brokers still slow over electronic commercial trading
The vast majority of brokers think premiums placed electronically should be no larger than £5000, although 7% feel premiums of any size could be underwritten electronically.
ABI welcomes Biba to flood working group
The Association of British Insurers has welcomed the prospect of working with the British Insurance Brokers' Association to deal with major flood events.
Claims Club News: Beware the apps backlash warns Williams
Any insurer considering introducing a claims app should be ready for a backlash warned David Williams, Axa's managing director of claims.
Claims Club News: RTA portal needs revamp
The road traffic accident portal, which went live last week, will need to be refreshed as early as the summer according to Fraser Fundell, chief executive of IDSL, the firm commissioned to manage the technology.
Claims Club News: Lyons backs 'significant' RTA claims scheme
The new road traffic accident claims process, which began on the 30 April, was described as "an incredibly significant scheme" by the new president of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers, Muiris Lyons, even though his members are not wholly in…
Claims Club News: Insurers can't ignore value of Iphone apps
Companies can launch a claims app in 10 weeks for less than £20 000, according to Axa's managing director of claims, David Williams.
Claims Club News: Cutts: PI industry is at odds with access to justice
A conflict between access to justice and the so-called personal injury industry has sprung up according to Forum of Insurance Lawyers president Dan Cutts.
Claims Cub News: Apil president warns of pre-emptive Jackson adoption
Lord Justice Jackson's report was described as a "magnum opus" which will "set the agenda for the personal injury world over the next 18 months as we pass from consultation to what is termed the implementation stage".
Interview - Ian Passmore: University challenge
Having started at Endsleigh 30 years ago as a graduate, managing director Ian Passmore knows the roots of the business. He talks to Mairi MacDonald about the future for the broker.
Comment - BI wordings: Refresh not reject
Business interruption wordings are under review, explains Damian Glynn, to minimise misunderstandings and unrealistic assumptions.
View from the top: Last of the icy conditions?
It's been a hard winter for many — but particularly for insurers. Claims losses have been rising for several years and the recession isn't helping either. CIFAS, the UK fraud prevention service, says that 2009 saw a 55% increase in false insurance claims.
Postbox: Reform needs consideration
Ian Drewer, CEO, Strategic Risk Partnerships, writes to Post editor Jonathan Swift.
Broking focus - regulation: On the radar
With the Financial Services Authority starting to show its teeth over finances, Philip Grant examines the issues surrounding legacy payments.
Broking focus - referral fees: Fight less, pay more
Brokers have been told they can expect falls in income generated from referral fees after new reforms were implemented on 30 April. Ralph Savage discusses the potential fallout from these new rules and what impact it could have on brokers' bottom line.
Climate change: Just the beginning
After the failures of the conference in Copenhagen, Rachel Gordon looks at the work done by insurers in ensuring the threat of climate change is properly addressed.
Climate change: Storm in a teacup
Was the 'climate-gate' incident blown out of proportion? Dr Andrew Dlugolecki looks at the facts behind climate change and why a couple of e-mails do not contradict the science.
Law reports: Tour operator bears burden in snowmobile accident case
Emma Moore v Hotelplan (T/A Inghams Travel) & Tantera (Queen's Bench Division — 22 February 2010)
Law reports: Tenant case underlines importance of evidence
Henley v Bloom (Court of Appeal — 9 March 2010)
Law reports: Homeowner not negligent over workman's accident
Kmiecic v Isaacs (Queen's Bench Division — 12 March 2010)
Updated health insurance exam unveiled to boost professionalism
From July, specialist intermediaries and insurance employees will be grilled on more in-depth product knowledge and new development areas after an updated health insurance examination was unveiled last week.
Bureaucratic bosses damage insurance management
The insurance sector is suffering from substandard management, according to a new report. Research by the Chartered Management Institute found that 58% of the sector's workforce feels the dominant leadership style where they work is negative — putting…
FM Global staff compete head on
A total of 35 teams from FM Global in the UK are taking on their colleagues around the world in a 10-week wellness challenge. Now in its second year, the insurer's global shape-up initiative encourages staff and their families to compete in order to…
Chubb Europe appoints European accident and health manager
Chubb Europe has appointed Steven Ord as European accident and health manager.
Broker Network appoints customer services director
Broker Network has appointed Paul Roberts as its new customer services director, network division.
Marsh adds to UK national corporate leadership team
Following completion of its acquisition of HSBC Insurance Brokers, Marsh has added to its UK national corporate leadership team.
DWF appoints new partner
Julie Bowker is the latest new partner to be appointed to DWF's 50-strong commercial insurance team in Manchester.
HSB expands Midlands presence
HSB Engineering Insurance has appointed two development executives to expand its presence in the Midlands.
Markel makes new appointments
Markel International has launched a new trade credit division following the appointment of Ewa Rose in January 2010.
National Friendly promotes David Castling
Health insurer National Friendly has promoted David Castling to the role of intermediary distribution manager.
QBE appoints global head of distribution
QBE has appointed Terry Ibbotson as global head of distribution.
Sterling appoints regional development manager for the North
Sterling Insurance Company has appointed James Leigh as regional development manager for the North.
Zurich apoints head of investment strategy implementation
Zurich Financial Services Group has appointed Urban Angehrn as head of investment strategy implementation.
BLP appoints three sales reps
Building defects insurance specialist BLP has appointed three salespeople. Brian Kilroy joins as business development manager and will head up the sales operation.
20 years ago: 120 attend Brighton CILA AGM
Looking through Post's back catalogue paints a unique picture of more than 150 years of insurance news, as this highlight from past an article published 20 years ago reveals.
10 years ago: Limit merger off after QBE approach
Looking through Post's back catalogue paints a unique picture of more than 150 years of insurance news, as this highlight from past an article published 10 years ago reveals.
Penny Black's insurance week
Aviva may have gone 'running back' to the corporate risk solutions market but its head of account management and business development Owen Thomas will be hoping to 'blitz' the competition in more ways than one.
Biba 2010 Countdown: At the fringe
This year's British Insurance Brokers' Association Conference will feature a number of fringe sessions for the first time. Chris Hanks explains what his firm will be doing.
Gulf explosion: Losses mounting up
Losses from the explosion of BP's Deepwater Horizon Platform are expected to be among the largest seen by the energy insurance market.
Post Magazine - 06 May 2010
Subscribers to Post can now read the latest edition online as a digital interative e-book.