Post - 2011-06-30
Articles in this issue
People moves – 30 June 2011
A round-up of people moves and new appointments in the industry, as featured in the 30 June 2011 edition of Post.
KGM Motor CEO exits during restructure
Colin Hart, chief executive of Canopius-owned KGM Motor has left the group, amid a restructure that sees the formation of a new UK retail division.
Post history - 10 years ago: DVT claims dismissed as alarmist hype
Looking back 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.
Penny Black's insurance week
Last week, Penny found herself at the Association of British Insurers' biennial conference, where star guests included business secretary Vince Cable, Allianz chairman Clement Booth and BBC political editor Nick Robinson.
Website review: E-Choice
In the latest of its ongoing series, web performance specialist Gomez looks at RSA's E-Choice website.
Career development & CSR: Jimenez in running for top award
Mapfre's head of the business-to-business travel insurance division, Leire Jimenez, is one of three finalists vying for an award celebrating the achievements and potential of women in the early stages of their careers.
Career development & CSR: Canoeist boosted with Sportscover sponsorship
Specialist insurer Sportscover has signed a sponsorship deal with British Olympic hopeful Ben Farrell.
Insurance Fraud Register given the ICO green light
The Information Commissioner's Office has given the green light to the definition of fraud that would be used by the insurance industry if the Insurance Fraud Register is given the go ahead this week.
Lorica targets leisure parks with niche team
Lorica Insurance Brokers is aiming to build its multi-niche offering by expanding in the leisure sector, after taking on two specialists from JLT. Paul Brearton, who left JLT last September, and Robert Kluth, who is finishing his gardening leave, join…
Household - Flood risk: Removing the safety net
In two years, the insurance industry's pact with central government to provide flood cover for at-risk properties will cease to exist. Ralph Savage reports on how insurers are planning to meet the challenge post-2013.
Household - Subsidence: Will the cracks show?
With the industry teetering on the verge of a major subsidence event, Mike Dupelycz takes a look at what lessons can be learnt from previous events and whether the industry is equipped to deal with a potential surge.
Law report: Confusion continues over 'thorny' school truancy laws
This law report has been contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Post history - Five years ago: Pay rises at FSA increase sharply
Looking back 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.
Alternative business structures: I bought the law
With the arrival of alternative business structures imminent, Amy Ellis looks at the pros and cons of the ability for those outside the legal sphere to invest in services.
Doors open at first RFIB Saudi office after licence secured
RFIB plans to open branches in Jeddah and the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia after being granted an intermediary licence to conduct insurance and reinsurance business in the Kingdom.
ABI biennial conference: Gender clarity coming soon
Guidance from the European Commission on the significance of the gender directive should be ready by the end of the year, according to Jonathan Rees, director general at the Government Equalities Office.
Spotlight on: Insurance scores - Number crunching
Looking at the links between credit data and insurance behaviour is unusual in the UK, but this could be about to change, claims Sam Barrett, as insurers look to develop the data sources they use.
ABI biennial conference: Insurers urged to find ways to interact with customers
Insurers must find ways of addressing their lack of direct contact with personal lines customers if they are to improve loyalty and service.
News analysis - Regulation: The more things change
With detail emerging on what life under the Prudential Regulation Authority will look like, Mathew Rutter analyses the similarity of themes to the current approach and pinpoints potential problem areas.
Career development & CSR: Marsh wins NW award
Marsh has been named as insurance broker of the year in the 2011 St Nick North West Turnaround Awards, held at Manchester's Museum of Science and Industry.
In-depth PI report finds no solution for midwives
A study into the provision of insurance for independent midwives has found there is no "foreseeable" insurance solution for the high risk they present to insurers.
Law report: Botched cosmetic surgery leads to groundbreaking £6m payout
This law report has been contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
News comment - Women in business: Room at the top
After Business Secretary Vince Cable called on insurance company chairmen to publish their medium-term targets for female board representation, Heather Jackson explains why quotas are not the answer.
Spotlight on: Insurance scores - Adapting to new methods
Despite there being restrictions to exactly replicating US insurance scoring methods in the UK, Graham Lund asserts that certain elements could be adapted for much greater effect.
Editor's comment: Referral fees witch hunt
Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later: public outrage at referral fees and the "gobsmacking" practice of insurers making money from passing on details of claimants to personal injury solicitors. Few, however, would have put money on it emanating…
Law report: Ruling upheld over professional negligence claim
This law report has been contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Law firms poised for top-25 merger
Legal bosses from Beachcroft and Davies Arnold Cooper are remaining tight-lipped over merger talks — despite market speculation a decision could be reached within a week.
ABI biennial conference: ABI launches 10-point plan
Otto Thoresen, director general of the ABI, has unveiled a 10-point plan aimed at boosting "good customer experience and profitable growth".
Ex-HSBC staff to support Capewell's venture
A team of former HSBC Insurance Brokers employees are poised to facilitate the launch of the new venture headed by Martyn Capewell, the chief executive of the bank's now defunct insurer arm.
Postbox: Unfair broad brush comparisons
I couldn't help but notice the story in Post on 16 June entitled 'Brokers warned networks no panacea'.
Towergate seals first broker deal of 2011
Towergate Insurance has acquired BWA Insurance Services — trading as Beric Webb Associates — for an undisclosed sum, in its first broker deal since 2009.
Career development: How do you ensure your employees are motivated?
Whether full-time, part-time, or temporary, it is of the upmost importance to do your best as employers to ensure staff are motivated. We all know that a company's people are its greatest asset and this is due in part to the significant say they have in…
ABI biennial conference: Cable tackles short-termist culture
Business Secretary Vince Cable has launched a three-pronged strategy to tackle a culture of short-termism and bolster corporate governance, while ensuring the proper functioning of capital markets.
Keoghs boss: motor claims costs to rise under reforms
The Ministry of Justice should "refocus on cost" if Lord Justice Jackson's reforms are to deliver lower premiums for customers. Steve Thomas, director of market affairs at law firm Keoghs, has warned the government consultation that started in August…
CMC numbers up 20%
The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries has found the number of claims management companies assisting with injury claims in the UK has risen by 20% in 12 months.
Allianz wins £150m BMW deal from RBSI
Allianz Insurance has expanded its partnership with BMW Financial Services after winning a deal to provide car, home and travel products to customers of the car manufacturing giant from Royal Bank of Scotland Insurance.
Aviva major acquisition spree 'unlikely'
Major acquisitions to fast-track the creation of a multi-brand general insurance strategy for Aviva are unlikely, despite the £600m windfall set to be secured from last week's sale of roadside assistance provider RAC, according to analyst Eamonn Flanagan.
Escott returns to London market as Capita MD
The former boss of Brit Insurance's UK business has returned to the London market commercial space with Capita. Brent Escott — who worked for the Lloyd's group between 2002 and 2007, holding the position of managing director of the UK division, before…
Post history - 20 years ago: US blamed for Lloyd's record losses
Looking back 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.
Axa ready for referrals ‘hurt’
Axa UK’s decision to stop accepting referral fees will “hurt” it in the short term and lose it several millions of pounds in income, but it is looking to the “longer-term prize” of getting bodily injury claims under control, according to personal lines…