Post - 2011-05-26
Articles in this issue
Post magazine – 26 May 2011
The latest issue of Post magazine is now available to subscribers as a digital and interactive e-book.
Former HSBC boss returns with new motor start-up
Martyn Capewell, the former chief executive of HSBC Insurance, is set to return with a new venture, in a further sign of a resurgence in the intermediated motor market.
Law report: False statements alone will not prove contempt of court
This law report has been contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Postbox: Respect for privacy vital in digital age
More than 30 million adults in the UK are signed up to Facebook, and the number of people using social media such as Twitter is growing at a phenomenal rate. Together with the increased use of e-mail and text, there is a real shift in the way we…
Lloyd's & London Market - Remuneration: War of the words
Lloyd's brokers are on the defensive after controversy surrounding commissions and fees re-emerged. But as underwriters demand clarity once and for all, are buyers happy as long as premiums stay low and their own charges stay transparent? Ralph Savage…
Law report: 'Crime of violence' debate over suicide
This law report has been contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Penny Black's insurance week
Still fresh in the mind, this month's Biba conference was awash with the usual rumours that started on stands and, by the second night, were sworn gospel.
Ford tackles credit hire fees with claims service
Car manufacturing giant Ford is to launch a dedicated 'credit hire free' accident management arm for its customers in a bid to help eradicate personal injury claims inflation.
Insurers fight to avoid ash cloud backlash
As Post went to press, insurers were racing to publicly outline their claims positions on the latest volcanic ash eruption, in a bid to avoid the media backlash the industry suffered 12 months ago. More than a year after the extensive disruption caused…
Bike aggregator expands in specialist motor niches
The new owner of The Bike Insurer is poised to expand into the specialist lines of caravan and classic car cover, with discussions underway with up to eight providers.
Editor's comment: Still after a piece of the motor market action
Despite the horrendous combined operating ratios and losses that have piled up in the UK personal lines motor market in recent years, it still holds a fascination for many.
Fish eyes boutique growth after ex-Lockton partner hire
Private equity-backed broker Fish Insurance is set to make a play for boutique commercial insurance, following the hire of a former Lockton partner to spearhead a new division.
Post history - 30 years ago: Sir Harold claims OFT is 'not needed'
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.
Career development & CSR: Bluefin wins regional apprenticeship award
Bluefin Insurance Services has fought off stiff competition, including underground maintenance firm Tube Lines and engineering specialist Babcock International Group, to be crowned large employer of the year in the London regional final of the…
Transatlantic to launch UK personal lines brand
Transatlantic Re is set to launch a new UK personal lines general insurance venture, as the US giant looks to capitalise on hardening premium rates in the motor market.
Website Review: Confused
In the latest of its ongoing series, web performance specialist Gomez looks at Confused's website.
Insurers rail against solicitors' PI burden
The insurance market should not bear the burden of "regulating the solicitors' profession" due to insufficient regulatory intervention, the Association of British Insurers has warned.
View from the top: Together we're stronger
It's always good to reflect back on the Biba conference, given how quickly it goes when you're there.
Claims Club dinner & awards 2011
Jonathan Swift, chairman of the judging panel and Post's editor-in-chief, welcomed guests to the 2011 Claims Club annual dinner at Grand Connaught Rooms, London by praising the hard work that the claims industry does and explained that in aiming to…
Post history - Five years ago: Zurich first in sponsoring restoration
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.
Junction sees huge boost after B&B buy
A year after its acquisition of Bradford & Bingley's motor and home insurance business, Junction claims to have boosted new home policies by 200%, increased sales on its smaller motor book by 1000% and improved renewal rates by 25%. The firm has now…
Gable CEO blasts FSA for large firm bias over SII
The chief executive of Liechtenstein-regulated insurance company Gable has accused the Financial Services Authority of failing to support small insurance companies in the run-up to Solvency II implementation.
Ageas to hike household rates to emulate motor
Ageas is set to continue hiking rates on its household insurance, on top of the 10% it has already pushed through in the first quarter of 2011, in a bid to replicate the improved combined ratio already seen in its UK private motor performance.
Career development & CSR: Giles in the Community launched to co-ordinate charitable efforts
Giles Insurance Brokers has launched an initiative to encourage staff involvement with charitable and voluntary organisations in the communities in which they operate.
Chaucer takeover set
The acquisition of Chaucer by The Hanover Insurance Group, set for completion by 1 July, will create a combined premium income of $4bn, and bring scale, diversity and financial strength benefits to all stakeholders, according to the Lloyd's insurer.
North of the Border: judicial awards in fatal claims
After six months of consistently increased Scottish civil jury damages awards for fatalities, Bellingham & Others v James Todd has now demonstrated the prospective impact on judicial awards.
Career development & CSR: Top marks for Hastings pair
Two risk and compliance officers at Hastings Direct have gained top marks in a professional accreditation in compliance exam.
Law report: Parent company responsible for subsidiary action in asbestos case
This law report has been contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Post history - 50 years ago: Uninsured drivers age-old problem
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.
Law change in Japan could override policies
New insurance regulations in Japan could inadvertently heighten the industry's exposure to the Japanese earthquake and tsunami damage and, in some cases, override existing policy wordings, according to a specialist lawyer.
Eight against EU-wide tax base
Eight countries have come out against plans to introduce a standard European Union-wide corporate tax base, following the deadline of 20 May.
Legal expenses - ATE: End of the road?
With the government giving the green light to implementation of Lord Jackson's civil litigation reforms, Leigh Jackson details the adverse reaction of legal expenses insurers and whether this sounds the death knell for the ATE market.
LV in second IFB senior staff swoop
LV's counter-fraud division is on target to be 100-strong by the year end, 10 times the size of the start-up team that launched four years ago.
Towergate sets £25m target for new in-house e-trading arm
Towergate Underwriting has targeted an additional £25m in gross written premium once its new commercial e-trading proposition goes live this summer. The firm currently claims to control a total of £600m in GWP — of which £75m is through various software…
Post history - 20 year ago: No panic over London HIV results
Looking through Post's back catalogue paints a unique picture of more than 150 years of insurance news, as this highlight from 20 years ago reveals.
Career development & CSR: Risk professionals in demand as pay packets set to rise 25%
Solvency II is driving demand for risk professionals in the insurance industry, with 44% of risk professionals expecting their teams to grow in the next 12 months, according to new research.