Post - 2011-07-07
Articles in this issue
Post Magazine – 7 July 2011
The latest issue of Post Magazine is now available to subscribers as a digital and interactive e-book.
People moves - 7 July 2011
A round-up of people moves and new appointments in the industry, as featured in the 7 July 2011 edition of Post.
Career development & CSR: Chartis and CII team up to offer environmental training
Chartis UK has joined forces with the Chartered Insurance Institute to offer a suite of accredited training programmes to brokers, covering environmental liability issues.
Career development & CSR: Rugby player work placement
Harlequins player Will Skinner has spent a week-long work placement within QBE's marine, energy and aviation division. The placement was organised by the insurer in conjunction with the Rugby Players' Association's player development programme, which…
Referral fees a 'red herring' claims CSC
The Claims Standards Council has warned the insurance market that abolishing referral fees is a "red herring" that will only send motor insurance premiums "through the roof", due to the loss of their ancillary income stream.
Aviva UK plots Lloyd's return in international push
A strategic review considering areas of expansion for Aviva's UK corporate business, will include assessing the viability of opening a trading box at Lloyd's and targeting international risks.
Property cat rates rise after global losses
US property catastrophe rates have increased due to global losses and new versions of catastrophe models. However, the reinsurance sector's capital position remains dependent on the hurricane season.
Lloyd's warns FSA over SII box-ticking
Lloyd's finance director Luke Savage has warned the Financial Services Authority against the perils of hiring "rookies" to approve businesses' internal capital models for Solvency II.
Interview - Rob Brown: The best job in the market
Despite being one to shun the limelight, Rob Brown, chief executive of Aon UK, has no qualms about answering his critics over the firm's carrier charge and contingent commissions, admitting he is pleased with progress to date. Daniel Dunkley reports.
News analysis - Aggregators: The challenge of converting quotes
In the 10th quarterly price comparison watch, Tom Cooper finds no slowdown in quote volumes but converting them into sales represents a growing challenge.
Penny Black's insurance week
Despite last week being a damp squib for British sport, with Andy Murray, the English cricket team, the England under-17s football side and then David Haye failing to deliver the goods, Penny can bring some good news.
High street still attractive despite big name failures
The high street is expected to remain an attractive proposition for trade credit insurers, despite a spate of household names slipping into insolvency.
Law report: Accident highlights dangers of accepting H&S responsibility
This law report has been contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Affinity: 'Sticky' challenge faced by affinity in bid to boost business
Insurers must "tap into partner loyalty" within affinity arrangements if they are to stay one step ahead of mounting outside pressures, according to Ageas' partnerships director Ian Wardle.
Broker networks: Member merits
Brokers often highlight the merits of network structures but is their enthusiasm shared by insurers? Peter Knowles reveals what underwriters really think about the membership model.
Tax exemption option could lure back firms
Firms that have redomiciled for tax purposes could consider returning to the UK if a government-driven consultation on corporate tax for controlled foreign companies leads to substantial legislative changes, according to Pricewaterhouse Coopers.
Affinity: Cultural alignment essential for brand partnerships
Strong affinity partnerships require "cultural alignment" between the involved parties, according to Myles Edwards, sales & marketing director at Age UK Enterprises.
Post history - 30 years ago: Insurers take £1 premium for fireworks
Looking back 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.
Tackling fraud - Roundtable: The time for action is now
With new counter-fraud tools coming onstream, Post gathered a group of experts to assess whether these will be enough to outweigh expected reductions in police resource when fighting this crime. Chinwe Akomah reports.
Law report: Accommodation costs application rejected due to unlevel playing field
This law report has been contributed bby national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Legal update - Occupiers' liability: Who's in charge?
When an event is run, an insured must be clear who controls it. Caroline Elson looks at the tricky area of occupiers' liability claims and reports on a recent case.
Post history - 20 years ago: Yugoslavia has mixed reaction
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.
TSC re-opens premiums inquiry as referral fee furore escalates
The chair of the Transport Select Committee has told Post that motor insurers will be called back to parliament for further questioning following her decision to re-open its inquiry into the rising cost of motor insurance.
Career development & CSR: National Cricket Day bowls school over
Volunteers from Brit Insurance went back to school to help with the creation of a 'dream' cricket school to mark the company's National Cricket Day. Along with a host of cricket-related VIPs, the volunteers, including chief executive Dane Douetil, helped…
Staddon to leave Biba
The British Insurance Brokers' Association's longstanding head of technical services Peter Staddon is set to depart the trade body. Mr Staddon began his insurance career in 1971 as a broker and joined Biba in 1996 to establish the technical services…
Editor's comment: Customer conundrum
Cuddly toy or cold hard cash? That appears to be the latest dilemma facing the insurance-buying public.
Cash-back schemes eat into aggregators
The growing popularity of online cash-back schemes among personal lines customers is posing a threat to aggregator profits.
Insurance & social media: To tweet or not to tweet
The insurance industry has struggled in its early attempts to adopt social media, due to its staid reputation. Sam Barrett warns that being slow to capitalise on the benefits it can bring means the industry is missing a trick.
IFR costs to be revealed as police unit green-lit
Insurers are to be told how much they will have to contribute to the funding of the Insurance Fraud Register in the "coming weeks" with plans to roll out the register early next year.
Post history - Five years ago: Exclusions remain for airlines
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.
Legal update - Property surveyors: Surveyors under siege
The aftermath of the credit crunch has seen lending institutions turn on property surveyors in an attempt to recoup losses. Duncan Greenwood explores the potential to turn the tables back.
Cuts loom as Garwyn begins efficiency drive
Garwyn staff based in Durham and Peterborough face potential redundancy after the loss adjuster earmarked both of the branches for closure.
Broker focus - Biba/IIB merger: Let's get together
Following the initial flurry of excitement when Biba and the IIB announced they were in merger talks, Chinwe Akomah talks to the market about their hopes and concerns for new a single body.
F&L quits ABI over Jackson support
Financial & Legal has become the latest legal expenses insurer to resign from the Association of British Insurers in protest against the trade body's support of the Jackson Review.
Igo4 opens call centre
IGO4 has opened a new contact centre in Peterborough to handle renewals business from existing home and motor insurance customers and offline completion of aggregator quotes, after transferring business from BDML.
Affinity: Travel bucks trend as affinity share falls
Finaccord managing director Alan Leach has advised insurers that the affinity market is "not just about motor, household and travel" and to look for potential partnerships in niche segments. He pointed to accident & health, which he said has seen "steady…
Postbox: Gender quotas will only backfire
Reading Heather Jackson's analysis of Vince Cable's hopes for gender equality in the insurance industry, I agree that looking at the existing talent pool, holding consultations and limiting the number of directorships one person can hold should all be…
Postbox - Twitter: the art of conversation
Recent articles in Post have detailed the insurance industry getting to grips with social media, and a simple misunderstanding seems to be at the heart for those that struggle.
Law report: Jurisdiction in ship accident decided by territorial waters location
This law report was contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Career development & CSR: Hastings supports safety with policy donations
Hastings Direct is supporting the 'Think Bike' motorbike safety campaign by donating £2 for every policy sold.
Affinity: Telecoms ready to take on banks
James Carpenter, head of insurance at O2, told delegates the telecommunications sector is gearing up to rival the banks as a provider of financial services and products.
UK General capacity deal 'first of many'
The capacity deal signed between UK General and Lloyd's insurer Catlin is likely to be the first of many, as the Leeds-based underwriting agency looks to branch out into high-risk liability.