Post - 2011-03-24
Articles in this issue
Post Magazine – 24 March 2011
The latest issue of Post magazine is now available to subscribers as a digital and interactive e-book.
Crawford fraud boss pinpoints social media as ideal weapon
Crawford & Company vice president of counter-fraud solutions Bobby Gracey has highlighted social networking websites as a new weapon that insurance companies can use to combat fraud.
Political focus - big society: what's the big idea?
The voluntary sector is one set for growth, as the government pushes its Big Society theme. Edward Murray looks at what impact this is having on insurance and how the sector is provided for.
Law report: tribunal claimant case fails over causation hurdle
This law report has been contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Post history - 10 years ago: TUC blasts ABI over asbestos
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.
Application fraud: step forward in fraud fight
The fact that underwriters are now starting to wake up to the issue of application fraud is a step in the right direction towards effectively combating the issue.
Disappointment over 10% increase in FSA funding
The insurance market has expressed disappointment at a 10% increase in the Financial Services Authority's funding requirements during 2011/2012.
Post history - 15 years ago: Post Office strikes Sun Alliance deal
Looking through Post's back catalogue paints a unique picture of more than 150 years of insurance news, as this highlight from 15 years ago reveals.
Application fraud: gaming the system accounts for 50% of online fraud
Half of all online application fraud comes from what is known as "gaming". That was the view of Martyn Kyle, head of insurance at SAS, who added the other 50% could be attributed to organised criminals.
Auto Windscreens to sign first major partner 'in weeks'
Auto Windscreens expects to sign up its first major insurance partner since its acquisition by Markerstudy "within weeks".
Website Review: Compare The Market
In the latest of its ongoing series, web performance specialist Gomez looks at Compare The Market's website.
Rias to launch on aggregator
Over-50s insurer Rias is set to move onto aggregator websites for the first time in a bid to keep up with the competition.
In series - fraud: insurance fraud - a victimless crime?
With insurance fraud often seen as a victimless crime by the public, James Earp and Angela Gibson examine ways in which the industry can educate policyholders and pursue criminals.
Thatcham-style caravan platform set to launch
Motor caravan broker Victor Millwell is piloting a new technology platform that provides access to a detailed ratings database of motorhomes currently in use throughout the UK.
Software start-up eyes 500 000 policies
Start-up broker software provider Wanna Insure has set a target to write 500 000 policies by the end of its third year of trading.
CBG eschews acquisitions after tough 2010
CBG will not make any acquisitions in 2011, following a challenging year in which the Manchester-based broker's revenue dropped to £7.71m (2009: £8.96m).
Sweeney blasts low HNW rate rises
Sterling director of personal and commercial insurance David Sweeney has welcomed "common sense" rate rises in the household insurance market but has called for tougher rating action in the high net worth sector.
Fraudster jailed after landmark ruling
A Bury man has been imprisoned for six months for his part in a complex motor insurance fraud in a landmark civil judgment.
RBSI ousts Esure as Sainsbury’s signs up new motor insurance underwriter
Royal Bank of Scotland Insurance has won a multi-million pound contract to replace Esure as motor insurance provider to Sainsbury’s Finance.
Wood sets sights on underwriting profit
Ecclesiastical has targeted an underwriting profit for 2011, despite its exposure to last month's earthquake in New Zealand.
Interview - Janet Connor: targeting the over 50s demographic
Managing director of Rias Janet Connor chats to Amy Ellis about targeting the over-50s demographic, embracing aggregators and non-insurance diversification.
Career development & CSR: RSA Group helps fund climate change park
RSA Group has helped fund a climate change park in Dagenham as part of a public private partnership.
Post history - five years ago: NIG senior management is finalised
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.
Application fraud: shift in culture and focus needed to start tackling application fraud
The insurance industry "will need a shift in culture and focus" before it can start recording successes in application fraud similar to those it has already achieved with claims.
Penny Black's insurance week
Penny jetted off to Dublin last weekend with the aim of celebrating a glorious triumph of England's rugby boys over the Irish.
Editor's comment: hard work starts here
The British Insurance Brokers' Association must be feeling pretty vindicated and pleased with itself right now — and justifiably so.
Aviva boss: earthquake will not impact GI rates
Global general insurance rates will not be dramatically affected by Japan's earthquake and tsunami, according to Aviva's chief underwriting officer.
Application fraud: customers need to understand seriousness of purchase
There is a fine balancing act between "the legal guff, educating customers and having a slick online process", when it comes to preventing ignorant or opportunist application fraud, according to John Salmon, head of insurance at Pinsent Masons.
Erwin: growth to come from broking firm uncertainty
Westinsure's incoming chief executive Norrie Erwin has said regulatory uncertainty in the broking sector will boost the firm's growth.
Credit hire - innovation - enter the claims processing matrix
Third-party intervention has failed to deliver the reining in of costs that insurers thought it might. Jon Ralph examines the idea of a collective, collaborative non-fault database, which would capture all claims.
Application fraud: insurers 'oblivious' to extent of issue warns IFB boss
Many insurers are totally oblivious to their exposure to application fraud, according to Insurance Fraud Bureau director Glenn Marr. And one of the prime reasons for this, he added, is its complexity and scope.
Credit hire - market update: time for a credit check
With the coming year shaping up to be just as busy as 2010 in the credit hire arena, Craig Dickson looks at the themes and issues likely to dominate.
News analysis - mesothelioma: getting the right guidance
In light of a recent Supreme Court judgment, which failed to produce the sought after clarity, Brian Goodwin argues that defendants should continue to strive for authoritative guidance on mesothelioma cases.
Motor claims: adding value to the claims process
The vehicle insurance and accident management worlds are at each others throats most of the time. Paul Hoyle looks at why co-operation is the only way forward.
Postbox: competency is crucial
I read the recent article "A focus on training" regarding professionalism in the claims sector with interest and wanted to take the opportunity to comment as it strikes me that a parity of focus doesn't exist between expertise in the property and motor…
News analysis: alarming revelations for commercial cover
The recent Mactavish-Pricewaterhouse Coopers report that declared commercial insurance 'not fit for purpose' is a wake-up call to the market. Insurers, brokers, company boards, government and the buying community should all take note, says John Hurrell.
Law report: judge finds in favour of solicitor over mental health doubts
This law report has been contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Postbox: preaching to the converted
I read with interest Phil Bunker's View from the Top regarding the challenge of updating rates in the broker market, as this is a view we have held for some time and have already responded to.
Law report: clarity needed to determine 'special relationship' status on defects claims
This law report has been contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Event insurance - market update: the show must go on
With the shift to music downloads, artists are looking to tour more to make money, generating demand but also new risks for contingency underwriters. Sam Barrett looks at the buoyant events insurance arena and finds a growth market, despite softened…
View from the top: a recipe for disaster
Some companies' belief that insurance policies can be sold like loaves of sliced bread makes a difficult situation worse.
Application fraud: insurance defence approaches outlined
Martyn Kyle, head of insurance at SAS, outlined a number of potential defence approaches to combating application fraud. These included using the media, screen warnings and capturing suspicious behaviour.
Application fraud: provider info handover is 'gob-smackingly' bad
There remains a serious issue concerning the "question set mapping challenge" between insurers and aggregators. Indeed, Pinsent Masons head of insurance John Salmon told delegates that, in some cases, it is "gob-smacking how badly this is done".
H&S cuts worry for insurers
Insurers have expressed concern at government plans to cut health & safety inspections.
Career development & CSR: BGL backs debt advice
BGL Group has offered financial backing to a newly established debt advice service in Peterborough that has been set up by The Salvation Army.
Post history - 50 years ago: payout rules over suicides reviewed
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.
Irish firm looks to acquire UK brokers
UK brokers are attractive acquisition targets for European players now that valuations are "more sensible" according to one Irish broker.
North of the Border: no fault compensation
On 20 February 2011 the report of the No Fault Compensation Review Group was published. The group, headed by Professor Sheila McLean, has backed a Scottish government plan to reform the system of clinical negligence claims, by introducing a no-fault…
Career development & CSR: investment in skills a must after unemployment rises
The Financial Skills Partnership has urged businesses to invest in training and skills to stimulate the economy after youth unemployment rose to a record high.
Walter hints at new business proposition
Outgoing Insurecom chief executive Phillip Walter has revealed he is in talks with venture capitalists about launching a new business once he exits the firm in May.
In series - fraud: how essential is PR in the battle against fraud?
PR is essential when it comes to changing perceptions about the insurance industry. Rachel Gordon investigates how successfully this is being utilised in the long-term fight against fraud.
No-fault forum shopping fears calmed by lawyers
Insurance lawyers have played down fears that proposals to introduce a no-fault system for clinical negligence claims in Scotland could result in forum shopping.