Post - 2010-10-21
Articles in this issue
Postbox: Insurance is innovative
It has been interesting to read the comments that have come out of this year's British Insurance Summit event —especially the opinions relating to the insurance sector and its inability to attract the best recruits. These ideas have also been echoed in…
2012 deadline for review could be linked to London Games
The ambitious 2012 deadline for the implementation of Lord Young of Graffham's recommendations regarding health & safety rules could have been set as a way to encourage volunteering during the London Olympic Games.
Law report: Regulations are starting point for assessing liability — not conduct
This law report has been contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Postscript - Five years ago: Poor bumper design costing £250m a year
Looking through Post's back catalogue paints a unique picture of more than 150 years of insurance news, as this highlight from five years ago reveals.
Editor's comment: Lloyd's soap rumbles on
As the clock ticked down to the Friday (15 October) deadline to complete a deal for Brit, the Dutch-domiciled insurer confirmed an extension has been granted to bidders Apollo and CVC Capital Partners.
Law report: Dismissed appeal aids solicitors acting on behalf of insurers
This law report has been contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Claims - VAT relief: Finding relief
With VAT rising to 20% from early next year, Alistair Winning & David Damsell look at how the rules surrounding this tax need to be examined closely by all parties to ensure the full relief available is claimed.
Claims Event news: Lawyer suggests referral fees will survive coalition review
Referral fees are here to stay according to a prominent lawyer, who warned the insurance industry it is just going to have to 'deal with them'.
Claims Event news: ABI's Starling claims judiciary is 'on-side' with Jackson review
Liability claims managers have every reason to feel "optimistic", according to the Association of British Insurers' director of general insurance and health Nick Starling.
In Series: Professionalism & CPD: The best of the best?
Lloyd's and the London market is tempting for graduates, with the potential of international business and a city base. But is there sufficient emphasis on formal career development? Rachel Gordon investigates.
Claims Event news: Airmic aligns itself with ABI to support Jackson review
The Association of Insurance and Risk Managers has emphasised it is "fully supportive" of Lord Justice Jackson's review of civil litigation costs.
In Series: Professionalism & CPD: Underscoring excellence
Professionalism has always been strong in the London market. Adrian Ballardie explains why it is now being reinvigorated.
Career path & CSR: National Friendly sponsors under-15s team
The Merthyr under-15's rugby team is kicking off the season having secured a new sponsorship deal with specialist health insurer National Friendly.
Claims Event news: Premium increases not claims farming solution
Claims farming is a demonstration of "greed" and pricing is not the solution for insurers looking to tackle it.
Legal update - Claimant credibility: Making a challenge
Even when documents provide versions of events that are inconsistent with the claimant's pleaded case, Laura Collins still warns insurers over making assaults on their credibility.
Legal Ombudsman: Open for business
As the Legal Ombudsman replaces the Legal Complaints Service, Michelle Garlick looks at the differences between the schemes.
Hardy boss accuses Beazley of undervaluing firm with offer
Hardy chief executive Barbara Merry has blamed a tough insurance cycle for the insurer trading below book value but said that is no reason for its shareholders to jump to accept Beazley's offer.
Angel rated best for service by UK brokers
Angel Underwriting has come top in a comprehensive study of UK brokers into service delivery from commercial insurers and underwriting agencies.
Claims Event news: Majority wants MoJ RTA portal limit extended to £25 000
Some 60% of delegates at the Claims Event said they would welcome a move to incorporate claims for up to £25 000 in the Ministry of Justice's low value road traffic accident portal.
Claims Event news: Ever-changing tide of regulation could leave some firms exposed
"They say it is only when the tide goes out that you know who has been swimming without their trunks on", said Ant Gould, chairman of the Claims Club, as he welcomed more than 200 movers and shakers from the claims industry.
NIG's Timberlake moves on to QBE after a year
NIG's northern manager is to step down at the end of the month, a year after taking the role.
MIB seeks clarification over credit repair
The Motor Insurers' Bureau has written to a number of its members to clarify the increasingly thorny issue of who should pick up the bill for credit repair, when an insurer discovers the other driver is uninsured.
Claims Event news: Icelandic volcano highlights industry's shortcomings on media handling
The insurance industry must take firmer steps to generate positive press around its handling of crises that generate high volumes of claims, according to a media consultant.
Interview - Jon Greenwood: Into the hot seat
With a high turnover during the past seven years, the role of managing director of commercial and broker at RBSI could be seen as a poisoned chalice. Jonathan Swift talks to Jon Greenwood, the latest incumbent, about his optimism for the task in hand.
Aviva replaced by First Assist as bank seeks retail travel growth
Barclays is set to drop Aviva as the underwriter of its travel insurance after sealing a new deal with niche provider First Assist.
Penny Black's insurance week
It seems that while Andy Homer's son Oliver decided to follow him into the same market, their shared passions do not coincide when it comes to football.
Heath Lambert looking to buy after refinancing
Heath Lambert chief executive Adrian Colosso has revealed the company's recent refinancing package could enable the broker to make a long-awaited acquisition.
LV talks tough on fraud as senior claims manager Lawless imprisoned
LV has signalled its intent to punish internal fraud, after it emerged a former claims boss at Highway has begun a three-and-a-half year fraud sentence.
Esure reveals earliest date for an IPO will be 2014
The founder and chairman of direct insurer Esure Peter Wood has revealed that 2014 is the earliest that it will launch an initial public offering.
Claims Event news: Too late to join Iphone app stampede claims Swiftcover
Insurers that have not already created an app for Iphones should look to build a mobile site instead.
Marine - Post IUMI: Missing the boat?
A successful IUMI conference gave marine insurers plenty to mull over, reports Eric Alexander, not least the shocking statistic that hull insurance has been at a technical loss for the past 14 years.
Postbox: Survey gives adjusters food for thought
May I congratulate Insurance 360 and its principal, Peter Joy, on his article, 'The loss leaders'
Lockton aims for 1 December move to LLP
Lockton International has set itself a 1 December deadline to complete its transformation to a limited liability partnership after the move received regulatory approval.
Career path & CSR: Young professionals prepare to unveil social media surge plans
A group of young insurance professionals are putting their heads together to investigate how social media can be used to improve communication with customers during a claims surge.
Allianz reaps benefits of MoJ's electronic claims portal
Allianz has made significant savings in the five months since the Ministry of Justice's electronic portal for road traffic accident claims was set up.
Comment - Rates: Tackling the flaws
Jack Brownhill asks why the motor market seems unable to learn from the past and tackle its structural flaws.
Law report: Cable strike defence amended as further information released
This law report has been contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Postscript - 10 years ago: QBE hints at relocation to London
Looking through Post's back catalogue paints a unique picture of more than 150 years of insurance news, as this highlight from 10 years ago reveals.
Lord Young rebuffs Arag as he promises action
Lord Young of Graffham has insisted that compensation culture "is not a hysteria, but a belief" in the wake of the publication of his long-awaited health & safety review.
Regional review - Leeds: Leeds from the front
Leeds is a vibrant and thriving market, reports Amy Ellis, with many insurers —and possibly too many brokers — setting up shop in the heart of west Yorkshire.
Career path & CSR: Ask the expert
I am about to start job hunting and wondered how much notice recruiters take of a candidate's social networking profile. Would you advise I clean mine up?
View from the top: Time for a reality check
Operating efficiently and profitably in a recession certainly focuses the mind as most of us are all too well aware. The characteristics of this recession for the commercial insurance market are, perhaps, different compared with previous downturns.
Post Intelligence Benchmarking - Commercial Insurers: Waving - or drowning?
Insurance 360's groundbreaking survey of commercial insurers' performance reveals which ones have got their acts together and which ones need to raise their game. Peter Joy reports.
Postscript - 30 years ago: V&G debacle still haunting industry
Looking through Post's back catalogue paints a unique picture of more than 150 years of insurance news, as this highlight from 30 years ago reveals.
Postbox: MGAA invitation
The Managing General Agents' Association is delighted with the response to its letter to potential members, but there is still room for more attendees at the first meeting.
Amazon to launch insurance service
Online retailer Amazon is to offer replacement goods to insurance policyholders, after launching a new service to rival established players such as Comet.
Meehan could return with broker start-up
Paul Meehan is considering his options after exiting Axa Insurance just over two years after he was recruited by former chief executive Philippe Maso as customer experience director.
Post Magazine – 21 October 2010
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