Analysis
Expertise in Action: Professionalism: Testing, testing
Testing, testing
Expertise in Action: Professionalism: Pros & Cons
Qualifications aren’t the be-all and end-all when it comes to professionalism – training, working together and sharing knowledge across the industry are equally important.
Takaful: The Islamic state
Despite centuries of tradition and an estimated worldwide value in the billions, Takaful insurance, grounded in sharia‑compliant practices, has struggled to find traction in the UK.
Add-ons: Into the mist
The Financial Conduct Authority’s investigation into add-ons threatens to create fault lines between the industry and the public. Is the sector’s house in order or is a clean up needed?
Relocation: The ex-pat factor
Following the news Allianz Insurance chief executive Andrew Torrance is moving to the US, Post quizzed senior British insurance professionals who have moved overseas on what he can expect.
Europe: Draining energy
Europe was fast out of the blocks with its carbon emissions schemes but the financial downturn and the emergence of Asia and Latin America is threatening its future, Steve Kingshott writes.
Construction: Unfinished business
While the construction sector is enduring a difficult period due to the economic downturn, insurers are optimistic that, with several major projects underway and in the pipeline, there are still opportunities in the market
Motor Insurance: The road to profit
Could recent legislation provide the turning point motor insurers need to drive them into long-awaited profitability, or are tough times set to continue?
Payment Protection Insurance: Paying the price
With payment protection insurance complaints putting a seemingly never-ending financial strain on the industry, can the product ever bounce back?
International: Lost in the long grass
Will the final form of Solvency II – designed to harmonise capital adequacy across the continent – look anything like it was initially intended? And when, if ever, will it emerge?
High Net Worth: Worth the effort
Research by Home & Legacy suggest there is little consensus in what constitutes a mid or high-net-worth customer. But what does this mean for the market?
Solicitors’ Professional Indemnity: Domino effect
As solicitors and the wider industry prepare for the fallout from the Balva scandal, predictions suggest some firms could fall onto the breadline. Are they right?
Initial Public Offerings: A good time to float
Following successful initial public offerings by Direct Line Group and Esure, many industry commentators believe market conditions are currently perfect for further flotations. So, is it time for others to go public?
Product recall: Total recall cover
After the horsemeat scandal thrust product recall insurance into the limelight, do insurers need to rethink how they offer such cover?
Roundtable - Legal Reforms: Jackson reforms: First impressions
Implemented as part of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012, how have the Jackson reforms affected the industry so far – and what will their impact be in the future?
Risk management: Mapping risk
The industry consensus is that Airmic’s planned global compliance database would be highly beneficial to all parties – so why is it proving so difficult to bring to fruition?
Dual Pricing: Priced Out
Dual pricing is an industry bugbear with traditional errors being replaced with deliberate pricing policies. But is it the sign of a healthy, competitive market or a practice that should be eradicated?
Hong Kong’s slow moving health market
Although health insurance could be described as a sleepy business in Hong Kong, potential government reforms could bring about a shake-up in the market as Andrew Tjaardstra reports.
In Series: Technology: Insuring the next generation of smart car
Age of the smart car
In Series: Technology: Are insurers prepared for motor risk focused on vehicle malfunction?
A new dawn for drivers
Alternative Business Structures: Is this the future?
Into the wild
Subrogation: Fair Play?
With some firms facing criticism over their approach to subrogation, are motor insurers acting in customers’ best interests or is this outdated legal framework being exploited?
In Series: Technology: Leaving your legacy
New technology promises greater insight for insurers and brokers, and a better experience for consumers – but only if used correctly.
In Series: Technology: Get moving
Insurers must make a concerted effort to reach customers in the mobile space.