Post - 2011-04-07
Articles in this issue
Post magazine – 7 April 2011
The latest issue of Post magazine is now available to subscribers as a digital and interactive e-book.
Career development & CSR: Open GI clinics given CPD nod by CII for a fourth time
Open GI's product clinics have been accredited by the Chartered Insurance Institute for the fourth year running.
Penny Black's insurance week
It is always heartening to see people battling adversity, and those in New Zealand have had it bad over the past six months.
Post history - five years ago: RSA rehab pilot 'strips out lawyers'
Looking through Post’s back catalogue paints a unique picture of more than 150 years of insurance news, as this article from five years ago reveals.
Litigation fears in wake of NZ quake
The New Zealand earthquakes in September 2010 and February 2011 have left some brokers and insurers at risk of litigation, the chief executive of Cunningham Lindsey's New Zealand operation has warned.
E-business: Customer reviews to play bigger retail role
The insurance industry must prepare for the growing influence of customer reviews in the retail market having a knock-on effect in insurance.
Career development & CSR: management tips for the top — part one
As the chief executive of an expert management body, I’m regularly asked what my top tips for being a great manager are. It’s a trickier question to answer than you might think.
Towergate shakes up team after Heath Lambert coup
Towergate has rearranged its Scottish management team, after the broker attracted Heath Lambert's former regional head of commercial Mark Webster and his team.
E-business: Free insurance idea floated by Dual Corporate Risks boss
Giving away insurance for free and generating income through other products could prove a savvy move for insurers in the future, argued Tim Grant, head of e-business at Dual Corporate Risks.
Call made for portal time extensions on EL and PL
The timeframes laid down for insurers to comply with the terms of the fast-track electronic claims portal may have to be modified if the process is to be extended to employers' liability and public liability claims.
Exclusive partnership deal struck for fraud investigation
Cunningham Lindsey and The Surveillance Group have signed a partnership agreement in a bid to create a market-leading fraud investigation unit.
London authorities unveil combined insurance panel
An insurance purchasing body incorporating eight London councils has selected Aviva, Lloyd's and Zurich to sit on its panel of insurance providers.
Aggregators join ABI and Biba in fraud fight
Aggregators have joined forces with the Association of British Insurers and British Insurance Brokers' Association to publish new guidance on online application fraud.
Postbox: industry needs government help on fraud
The landmark civil judgment in the case of Israr Hussain Shah, as reported in Post over the past fortnight, highlights a worrying issue for the industry.
Legal update - corporate manslaughter: driving issues
With the first conviction under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 having finally taken place in February, Roger Ball explains the potential consequences for motor fleet operators.
Besso management buys out Union Hamilton shares
Besso has insisted it is business as usual at the firm, after its management completed a shareholding purchase worth almost £3m.
View from the top: the online commitment
There has never been a better time for us, as business insurers, to remind ourselves how it feels to be a customer — especially because being a customer, with smartphones and computers now constantly at close quarters, is changing month-by-month.
Interview - Michael Walter & Edward Maddison: Engaging the next generation
Lynn Rouse talks to ASL's Michael Walter and Edward Maddison about expanding horizons, operational expertise and engaging the firm's next generation.
Disease claims - ELTO: location, location, location
Difficulties inherent in identifying the relevant insurer in a long-tail disease claim led to the creation of the Employers' Liability Tracing Office. Anne Griffiths and Alan Hunter explain what is needed to make it work.
Career development & CSR: first specialist recruitment firm signs Declaration
AMC Insurance Appointments has signed up to the year-old Aldermanbury Declaration, becoming the first specialist insurance recruitment consultancy to do so.
Editor's comment: keeping the buzz alive
After the initial buzz of excitement swarmed round the industry at the prospect of an insurer-funded dedicated police unit to combat fraud, all has gone strangely quiet. Fair enough, the Association of British Insurers did stress that its discussions…
Lloyd's motor result reflects 'torrid' time
Lloyd's finance director Luke Savage has said Lloyd's 2010 UK motor insurance result reflects the "torrid" experience of the whole market within that class of business. Its motor book reported an underwriting loss of £520m (2009: £83m loss) and a…
E-business: Wishman: mobile e-commerce has finally arrived
Mobile technology has "finally arrived" in the insurance space and now is the time to develop a mobile online strategy, according to LV group e-commerce director Paul Wishman.
E-business: Online marketing needs clear objectives — not just ideas
Clear objectives and good ideas are vital for insurers to reach consumers using online marketing strategies, Chemistry Communications Group has claimed.
News analysis: shaking up the aggregator market
Google buying Beat That Quote has given the aggregator market a shake-up, claims Tom Cooper, as the 10 million quotes per month barrier is broken.
FSB backs call for SME pay priority
The Federation of Small Businesses has backed a call by Lorega for insurers to fast-track SME claim payments to help prevent smaller firms and one-man bands going out of business.
E-business: Insurers should track customers via social media
The insurance industry needs to expand its use of social media beyond marketing and into claims, fraud and risk ratings, CFC Underwriting's business development manager has claimed.
Biba and IIB warn members over Bribery Act compliance
The British Insurance Brokers' Association and the Institute of Insurance Brokers have urged members to start putting measures in place to comply with the forthcoming Bribery Act.
HR focus - default retirement age: retiring gracefully
The abolition of the default retirement age comes into force later this year. Paul Cann explores potential consequences for employers as they prepare to accommodate an ageing workforce.
Mapfre overhauls travel cover offering
Spanish insurer Mapfre has revamped its direct travel policy following a relaunch of its online provider Insure & Go.
Axa cuts to hit commercial
Sources close to Axa UK's personal lines division and broker Bluefin have insisted management cuts will only affect commercial lines.
Post history - 50 years ago: Post history: abstinence insurer wins approval
Looking through Post’s back catalogue paints a unique picture of more than 150 years of insurance news, as this article from 50 years ago reveals.
Co-op to increase aggregator usage
Co-operative Insurance has set its sights on growing its household book by widening its use of aggregators as a means of distribution.
Post history - 10 years ago: Government issues stark EL warning
Looking through Post’s back catalogue paints a unique picture of more than 150 years of insurance news, as this article from 10 years ago reveals.
Rehabilitation - state of the market: making great leaps in rehab
As the seventh annual Rehabilitation First Awards get underway, Lynn Rouse speaks to previous winners of the outstanding individual achievement award, in the first of a series of reflections on the UK rehabilitation market.
FSA to debate FSCS fees after industry pressure
Jonathan Evans MP has confirmed the Financial Services Authority will discuss Financial Services Compensation Scheme fees with MPs, following pressure from the insurance industry.
Disease claims - HAVS: getting to grips with HAVS
The effect of vibration on the human body has been the subject of debate for more than 100 years, and research is raising new questions over whether vibration to the hand can cause symptoms in the elbow, upper arm or shoulder. Simon Matthews explores the…
E-business: Google arrival means aggregators will have to work harder
Price comparison sites have been urged to "pedal harder" following the arrival of Google in the aggregator market.
News analysis - Jackson: getting the personal injury balance right
Plans to abolish the recovery of success fees and ATE premiums mean the balance between claimants and defendants should be redressed. Andrew Parker analyses the immediate and long-term effects of Ken Clarke's announcement.
E-business: Customer service must be priority
The chief executive of online commercial provider Simply Business has said the insurance industry must become more customer-centric if it is to catch up with the online revolution.
Disease claims - occupational voice loss
Occupational voice loss is becoming a growing hazard, partly due to the rise in call centres. Paula Jefferson and Rachel Barbenel examine recent case outcomes and advise on avoiding and defending claims.
NIG: we are not irresponsible
NIG has reiterated its claim that it is not guilty of irresponsible underwriting, despite complaints within the market that its rates have fallen by more than 30% following the launch of its 'Guarantee to Beat' price match deal.
Career development & CSR: confidence in financial sector weakens further
Professionals working in insurance, banking and finance are becoming less confident in their sectors, according to analysis by Grant Thornton and ICAEW.
E-business: Five insurers set for direct mobile launches by 2012
The future is bright for mobile technology as it becomes an increasingly important distribution channel for insurance products and services, according to Swiftcover head of innovation Ambarish Mitra.