Post - 2010-12-16
Articles in this issue
Fraud: cognitive questions test sees 51% success rate
Fraud investigation firm the Innovation Group has revealed that a partnership with a university psychology department has produced a 51% success rate in detecting home insurance claims.
Wells Fargo plans sale of 37% stake in Besso
Wells Fargo is seeking a buyer for its stake in Lloyd's broker Besso.
Oracle rolls out latest insurance products
Technology firm Oracle is set to unveil two new insurance products aimed at guiding the industry through the economic downturn. The seventh version of Oracle Insight and the latest release of Oracle Documaker Enterprise will be rolled out this month.
Europ reveals new five-year plan
Europ Assistance is planning to reduce its reliance on traditional travel and motor lines — which currently account for more than three-quarters of the company's turnover.
Aon gets new northern base
Aon is set to move to a new office in Manchester next week. The intermediary will relocate from Arkwright House to Spring Gardens, where there is space for the broker to add to its 150 staff.
Interview - Roger Brown: Adding value for members
Roger Brown is nearing his second full year as managing director of the ECIC. Mairi MacDonald talks to him about the changes instigated and challenges ahead.
Local authorities cut back cover as spending review bites
Local authorities are already cutting their insurance spend as a result of the coalition government austerity measures, insurers have warned.
Aggregator targets 30% of SME market in year one
Compare the Market is aiming to attract 500 000 commercial customers to its site over the next 12 months, after agreeing a long-term contract with Towergate to provide SME insurance.
Editor's comment: Don't count your turkeys
Insurers received an early Christmas present last month, when the government appeared to give firm backing to Lord Justice Jackson's recommendations on combating disproportionate civil litigation costs. The ministerial foreword to its consultation…
IFR pilot crucial to fight against fraud
A successful pilot of the Insurance Fraud Register is vital in the fight to change perceptions that insurance fraud is victimless, an industry expert has stressed.
ICAB sole RSA accommodation provider
ICAB has been appointed as the sole provider of alternative accommodation for RSA.
Midwifery scheme moves step closer
The Royal College of Midwives and the Nursing Midwifery Council have commissioned consultancy Flaxman Partners to produce a report on the provision of insurance for independent midwives.
Allianz set to kick off full-cycle proposition for Quote SME
Allianz is set to roll out a full-cycle proposition for its online trading platform Quote SME allowing broker partners to offer mid-term adjustments to policyholders.
Helpline claims to be hoax victim over texts
National Accident Helpline has claimed to be the victim of a hoax, after being caught up in a Claims Standard Council investigation of unsolicited text messages.
Barbon: next acquisition will be big
Barbon Insurance Group's next acquisition target is likely to dwarf its earlier purchases, according to group managing director Nick Sharp.
Post Magazine – 16 December 2010
The latest issue of Post magazine is now available to subscribers as a digital and interactive e-book.
Zurich reorganises UK operations
Both the Zurich Private Clients and Navigators & General businesses are to be rolled into the insurer's new-look personal lines division, following a restructure of the UK general insurance operation.
Warning over reserves as retirement age rises
Insurers have been urged to review their reserve levels, as the proposed abolition of the retirement age could see claimants seeking increased compensation in personal injury cases.
New equity for Towergate
Towergate Partnership has secured new equity investment, after signing a preliminary agreement with an international private equity house, Post understands.
Hiscox set to launch US direct PI offering
Hiscox is increasing its US presence with the launch of its first direct commercial insurance offering.
Comment - Innovation: Singing the same songs?
The music industry has been revolutionised by technological advances. Tim Grant reflects on whether insurers can learn from how this transformation has been driven.
Comment - Loss adjusting: The death of loss adjusting?
Loss adjusting has changed dramatically over the past 10 years. Benedict Burke examines the changes and argues that customer outcomes are only getting better.
View from the top: Fight the good fight
Well - what a year. The turmoil in the financial services markets over recent years hasn’t really evaporated from customers’ minds, even if we’ve all worked through it and moved from stock market crisis to sovereign crisis in more recent times. Against…
View from the t’opera: The ‘tache triumphant
You insurance types are certainly a very stylish bunch. Since I exploded onto the scene back in August 2009, I’ve been impressed by all the tailored suits, neatly pressed shirts and perma-tans sported by almost everyone that I meet.
Loss adjusting – review of the year: Battling for talent
2010 has proved an interesting year for the loss adjusting sector, reports Leigh Jackson, with a number of new entrants and the issues of ethics and recruiting new talent coming to the fore.
Penny Black’s insurance week
One of the rumours that will not go away is that Giles, fresh from the largest deal in its history, has again got an appetite for deals, with Kerry London among the firms on its hit list.
Lloyd’s & London market – review of the year: Troubled times
A succession of natural catastrophes got 2010 off to a bad start and the market continued to struggle - but the resolution of Brit’s future and the prospect of consolidation could see the year end on a high. Mairi Macdonald reports.
Inperfectharmony
New minimum harmonisation requirements being proposed by the EU for IMD2 hope to level the regulation playing field. Vic Wyman reports.
The death ofloss adjusting?
Loss adjusting has changed dramatically over the past 10 years. Benedict Burke examines the changes and argues that customer outcomes are only getting better.
Getting cashback
New tariffs introduced this year for the Injury Cost Recovery scheme have the potential to impact insurers. Peter Forshaw examines fears that the scheme may be extended further.
Postscript - 30 years ago: Insurers look forward to £50m saving
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.
Postscript - 50 years ago: Faulty wire results in electrocution
Looking through Post's back catalogue paints a unique picture of more than 150 years of insurance news, as this highlight from 50 years ago reveals.
Singing the same songs?
The music industry has been revolutionised by technological advances. Tim Grant reflects on whether insurers can learn from how this transformation has been driven.
Legal update - NHS recvoery scheme: Getting cash back
New tariffs introduced this year for the Injury Cost Recovery scheme have the potential to impact insurers. Peter Forshaw examines fears that the scheme may be extended further.
Health insurance - review of the year: Care crisis or opportunity?
The past 12 months have been tough for health insurance, with a record contraction in policy numbers. Amy Ellis examines recent market developments and asks whether 2011 will be brighter.
Postscript - five years ago: NU looks to offshore more IT jobs
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.
Career development & CSR news: Ask the expert
I want to move on from my current place of work but I'm not unhappy and want to collect my bonus. Will I enjoy more opportunities in 2011 or should I strike while the iron's hot, despite the Christmas lull?
Career development & CSR news: Lloyd's launches bursary to help Tower Hamlets students
Lloyd's is seeking to ease the financial burden for university students with the launch of a new bursary scheme to help students in Tower Hamlets afford to continue their higher education.
Career development & CSR news: Bidding war over IT staff
The insurance sector is being forced to increase pay for actuarial IT professionals by up to 50% as insurers upgrade their systems to be compliant with new regulatory standards, according to Rethink Recruitment.
Legal update - professional negligence: A strong defence
The illegality principle may rear its head if a second dip of the recession takes hold and insolvency practitioners engage in civil claims. Tony Hill and Kate Thompson examine the issues professional negligence insurers face from this line of attack.
Singing the same songs?
The music industry has been revolutionised by technological advances. Tim Grant reflects on whether insurers can learn from how this transformation has been driven.
Inperfectharmony
New minimum harmonisation requirements being proposed by the EU for IMD2 hope to level the regulation playing field. Vic Wyman reports.
Career development & CSR news: BGL staff raise £20 000 for Marie Curie
BGL employees have raised more than £20 000 for Marie Curie Cancer Care, following the completion of a month-long challenge of cycling, walking, running, winter Olympics, skydiving and knitting.
The death ofloss adjusting?
Loss adjusting has changed dramatically over the past 10 years. Benedict Burke examines the changes and argues that customer outcomes are only getting better.
Postscript - 10 years ago: Credit Suisse denies UK insurer sale
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.
Care crisis or opportunity?
The past 12 months have been tough for health insurance, with a record contraction in policy numbers. Amy Ellis examines recent market developments and asks whether 2011 will be brighter.