Analysis
The democratisation of technology
In an online exclusive, Michael Graham, sales and marketing director at Sequel explains how the growth of technology has impacted the insurance sector.
Croatian Insurance Market - Latest market trends
Challenging economic conditions saw most lines in the Croation insurance sector suffer. Hvroje Paukovic provides an overview of the market.
Survival of the fittest: The evolution of distribution
In an online exclusive, Chubb UK and Ireland manager Jeremy Miles discusses the future of insurance distribution and why the industry should heed the theories of Charles Darwin.
Christchurch one year on: a forgotten city?
A year on from the earthquakes in New Zealand, while the Christchurch disasters may be slipping out of public consciousness, the work to rebuild the city continues.
Asia-Pacific legal review
The legal profession and the insurance sector depend on each other throughout the world and as Chambers Asia-Pacific 2012 launches its editor Shi-Ning Koay provides an overview of the legal insurance specialists and the markets in this region.
The temporal scope of Rome II
Rome II was intended to bring about uniform choice of law rules but had left some uncertainty over when the regulation applied in cross border accidents. Tarek Uddin explains how the recent case of Homawoo has helped bring clarity.
RTA Portal extension divides opinion due to lack of clarity and timescales
ABI welcomes changes but industry raises concerns over timescale for implementation.
Employers’ liability: A fund of last resort
The need for a fund of last resort for employers’ liability claims still divides the insurance community. While plans to create an Employers’ Liability Insurance Bureau have stalled, it still has supporters who are determined to see these proposals come…
Liability - Cosmetic treatments: Smoothing out the wrinkles
With a rise in cosmetic treatments, there is more scope for problems, as the recent PIP implants scandal has shown - whether it is clinical negligence or a product defect, insurers must be wary.
Child abuse claims: Victims facing uphill battle for compensation
Local authority, church and legal expenses insurers have a role to play in sexual abuse litigation. However, government reform and a recent legal ruling may see this change.
In Series On Data: Insurers putting policyholder data on a diet
In a competitive market, validation is key to making data leaner and more reliable — but can it level the playing field for brokers, as well as insurers?
Credit hire: Collision course
The thorny issue of credit hire continues to tax insurers — but should they be doing more to control costs?
In series - On data: Data driven
Insurers must seize the initiative and make Europe’s mandate to remove gender from premium calculations work for them.
In series - On data: An era of androgyny
With gender set to disappear from the underwriting landscape at the end of 2012, what factors will insurers turn to when accessing risk?
Directors' and officers': Under the spotlight
With boardrooms coming under increasing scrutiny, the potential for expansion in the D&O market is being recognised by savvy insurers, especially in the SME space.
Riot claims: Disorderly conduct
The fallout from last summer’s riot continues to rumble on, with consequential loss claims against the police relying on principles that can be traced back to the age of Robin Hood.
Broker focus - Personal lines: Survival tactics
Embattled personal lines brokers are facing a tough climate with falling incomes and business volumes, but those willing to adapt to the new environment can survive and prosper.
Impact of the French national commitment towards the environment
As changes to environmental laws begin to impact in France Gregory Allard explains how brokers and insurers must continue to innovate to ensure adequate protection is readily available.
Credit hire: Two sides to the story
Credit hire organisations and insurers are blaming each other for the cost of credit hire. With the Office of Fair Trading conducting a review, will anyone emerge victorious?
Mergers & Acquisitions: Bucking the trend
As the market weighs up the value of assets such as Groupama and Brit’s UK arms, deal making by insurers appears to be buoyant, especially when compared to other industry sectors. But is this a trend that is set to continue?
Reinsurance - January renewals: Toughen up
Despite the catastrophes of 2011, the predicted — and much needed — January renewal rate hardening has failed to materialise.
Spotlight on environment: Extreme measures
Extreme weather events can have enormous economic costs, with huge uncertainty surrounding them. So how can this uncertainty be communicated in a meaningful way to decision makers?
Spotlight on environment: Providing protection
With climate change increasing the likelihood of natural disasters, insurers must influence the debate on how businesses and governments manage risks such as supply chain failure.
Spotlight on environment: Getting protected
When the Statement of Principles on the provision of flood insurance expires next year, how will insurers address the 200 000 high-risk households left struggling for cover?