Post - 2011-08-04
Articles in this issue
Postbox: Squaring a difficult circle
David Bonehill's letter 'Bursting for Improvement' quite correctly referenced the scale of the burst pipe and escape-of-water claims either side of last Christmas. He also correctly identified the finite resource that is the UK loss adjusting profession…
Post history - Five years ago: Studio blaze raises fire questions
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.
Editor's comment: The wheels of industry
The schools may be out for summer and European business fast grinding to a halt as workers decamp to the coast but it's good to see the wheels of British commerce continue to turn, albeit at a rather less than frenetic pace.
Broking focus - Regulation: The new broom
The Financial Conduct Authority will assume responsibility for the regulation of brokers taking over from the Financial Services Authority at the end of 2012. The Institute of Insurance Brokers, the British Insurance Brokers' Association and the London &…
Does bad management affect business performance?
Recent research from the Chartered Management Institute found that 55% of employees do not think their managers are competent or confident enough in their roles. According to the CMI, "perhaps more worryingly, 38% of employees report that their boss…
Allianz voted 'most green' insurer
Allianz has been voted the most environmentally sound insurer in the latest Best Global Green Brands. The eco-friendly firm, which was ranked 21st in the overall brand listings, has risen 46 places from its 2010 position in the annual Interbrand survey.
O'Roarke urges legal fee crackdown
LV's managing director of general insurance John O'Roarke has added his voice to the cries for a crackdown on legal fees.
Postbox: Facing the data challenges of Solvency II
I read your article 'Lack of funds to spark Solvency II M&As', with interest. The article tells us that 31% of insurance firms surveyed are fully aware of the implications of Solvency II, and a further 38% are partially aware, but I wonder how many have…
Solvency II action remains vital despite delay proposal
Firms have been urged to continue working towards the 1 January 2013 implementation deadline for Solvency II, despite the European Parliament announcement that the regime should be delayed until 2014.
Judge rules on National Trust negligence case
A High Court judge has ruled that the National Trust was not to blame for the death of an 11-year-old schoolboy fatally crushed by a branch in woods in Norfolk.
Career development & CSR: Paralympian goes for gold with Chaucer sponsorship
One of the UK's top wheelchair rugby players is hoping support from Chaucer will give him the backing he needs to realise his Paralympic medal dream.
Thistle aims high despite 2011 losses
JLT chief executive Dominic Burke claims full year trading profits at its underwriting agency Thistle Insurance will eclipse last year's £4.8m, despite making a £246 000 loss so far in 2011.
Chartered broker: Status symbols
Over the past 18 months there has been an increased focus on professionalism in the broking industry and, as well as signing up to the Aldermanbury Declaration, the spotlight is falling on the topic of chartered status. Many individual brokers display…
Post history - 30 years ago: Insurers wait for Salem appeal result
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.
Gay-only deal website looks to add insurance products to portfolio
A former loss adjuster, who left the industry when his firm went bust to set up Europe's first gay-only deal website, is considering teaming up with insurers to expand.
MYI global offering shake-up
Loss adjusting group McLarens Young International has ceased working with its affiliate partner in Canada with immediate effect and will shake-up other regions soon.
LV backs fun run
LV has agreed to sponsor next year's Brentwood Half Marathon and Fun Run — an event that has raised more than £1m for the local rotary club over the past 30 years.
View from the top: Equality at the table
Insurance has long been a business that thrives on relationships, between brokers and insurers, brokers and clients and the holy grail of all three working together. These relationships vary in depth and longevity from the transactional to the long term…
RSA boss: CMCs not cause of referral fees
RSA's UK chief executive Adrian Brown has called for action against "hefty" lawyer fees and the amount they pay claims management companies rather than targeting CMCs themselves.
Law report: Mary Poppins stunt claimant must take blame for accident
This law report has been contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Penny Black's insurance week
Penny likes to think she scrubs up pretty well but she was certainly left in the shade when tan-tastic The Only Way is Essex star Amy Childs strutted past in Soho during a coffee break with Concise PR director Alex Wise.
Post history - 10 year ago: £200m bill for insurers after cash call
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.
News analysis - Lancashire Tax move: Bringing business back to Blighty
With Lancashire set to move its tax residence to the UK, Amy Ellis looks at proposed reforms to the controlled foreign companies rules and asks whether other insurers may follow suit.
Allianz selects repair partners
Allianz has selected building maintenance firm Mitie and insurance repair specialist MA Assist for its nationwide building repair.
Metal theft on the rise as scrap prices increase
Risk management experts from Allianz are calling on brokers to be proactive about metal theft, following a spate of robberies that have left the company facing millions of pounds in losses.
Law report: Price put on purchase of accommodation too high rules judge
This law report has been contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Hiscox bemoans 'costliest year ever'
Specialist insurer and reinsurer Hiscox was stung by a pre-tax loss of £85.6m (2010: £97.2m profit) in the first half of the year but claims to be "heading towards the sunny uplands of profit".
Lloyd's pursues own probe into Equity syndicate losses
Lloyd's is investigating Equity syndicate's reserve deterioration, Post has learnt, and a Names protest group says the outcome should prove influential to its own campaign over Equity's losses.
Credit hire: Improving the engagement
The credit hire industry has traditionally had a rocky romance with insurers. Sam Barrett looks at what has gone wrong and how the two sides can reconcile their differences.
Post history - 50 years ago: Firm offers prize for road research
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.
Baker quits CHO — DG search initiated
The Credit Hire Organisation says it has identified a number of "high calibre" candidates to fill the void left by departing director general Tony Baker, who last week announced his decision to step down at the end of the year.
Law reports: Costs confusion as both parties claim victory
This las report has been contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Website Review: Go Compare
In the latest of its ongoing series, web performance specialist Gomez looks at Go Compare's website.
Allianz beats Aviva and Zurich in resort deal
Allianz Commercial has landed a £200 000 three-year deal with a luxury spa resort and golf club that hosted the Ryder Cup last year.
MCE targets entrepreneurs
Budding insurance entrepreneurs, with a proven track record in sales, will be offered the chance to establish their own business as part of a new scheme created by biker broker MCE.