Articles by Harry Curtis
Court opens door to many more Covid BI claims with ‘at-the-premises’ judgment
Hundreds of thousands of policyholders, who until now have been left uncompensated for pandemic losses, may be due payouts, following a Commercial Court judgment on ‘at-the-premises’ disease clauses.
Wahaca echoes Corbin & King argument in latest Covid BI battle
Mexican restaurant chain Wahaca is seeking tens of millions of pounds from insurer QIC Europe in the latest Covid business interruption suit to hit the courts.
Motor accident solicitors back calls for compulsory e-bikes and e-scooters insurance
The chair of the Motor Accident Solicitors Society has backed calls from politicians for compulsory insurance to be considered as a requirement for e-bikes and e-scooters.
Court of Appeal to examine aggregation and furlough issues in Stonegate appeal
Questions on aggregation and furlough that could alter the size of Covid business interruption payouts by tens or hundreds of millions of pounds are set to be revisited by the Court of Appeal later this year.
Bronek Masojada appointed Sirius Point chair
Former Hiscox boss Bronek Masojada has been appointed chair of Sirius Point’s board of directors, effectively immediately.
Simon McGinn to step down as Allianz Commercial CEO
Simon McGinn, chief executive of Allianz Commercial, is set to step down on 1 July, the insurer announced.
Court slices Pizza Express’s Covid BI claim
Pizza Express’s hopes of winning a payout in the tens of millions for Covid 19-related business interruption losses have been dashed by a High Court judgment.
Insurers continue to grapple with rising costs for vehicle repairs
While property and motor claims’ post-Covid difficulties have begun to ease, the latter in particular are still presenting challenges to insurers, according to Zurich UK chief claims officer James Nicholson.
RSA turns to broker networks in pursuit of commercial lines growth
RSA is leaning heavily on its relationships with broker networks as it looks to grow its commercial lines business.
Industry lacks a ‘credible understanding of terrorism in the UK’
The insurance industry needs to brush up on its understanding of terrorism risk ahead of the expected passage of Martyn’s Law next spring, Pool Re has said.
FCA outlines plans to improve whistleblower engagement
The Financial Conduct Authority has set out plans to improve the way it engages with whistleblowers, including giving people who approach the regulator with information more detail on what action is taken as a result.
Bronek Masojada joins Sirius Point board
Sirius Point has added former Hiscox CEO Bronek Masojada to its board of directors, effective from 2 May.
Pool Re welcomes Martyn’s Law draft legislation
Pool Re welcomed the publication of draft legislation that will require publicly accessible premises to increase efforts to mitigate against terrorism risk.
Nat cat ‘new normal’ leads to emergence of globetrotting catastrophe adjusters
A “new normal” with regard to natural catastrophes has led to the rise of a globetrotting type of loss adjuster that is able to move from the aftermath of one event after another, according to McLarens.
Insurers argue ‘at the premises’ BI clauses don’t respond to widescale Covid-19 restrictions
Insurers say it is wrong to interpret ‘at the premises’ disease clauses in business interruption policies as being capable of responding to widescale, government ordered closures.
Excel Centre accuses insurers of re-running settled arguments in Covid BI trial
The Excel Centre has accused its insurers of seeking to rerun arguments previously settled by the Supreme Court in its 2021 Covid business interruption test case judgment.
Howden calls for ‘myth busting’ on cyber insurance
David Howden said industry must engage in “myth busting” on cyber insurance to remove barriers to uptake among potential clients.
Insurers likely to avoid repeat of 2022 subsidence losses
The insurance industry will likely avoid another spike in subsidence claims this year, despite earlier concerns of a repeat of the costly conditions experienced in 2022.
Lloyd’s targets sustainable assets with £250m investment fund
Lloyd’s has launched a £250m fund to invest in “sustainability-focused assets” across private equity, infrastructure, natural capital and real estate.
Law firm Ince enters into administration
Law firm Ince Group, previously known as Ince Gordon Dadds, is set to appoint administrators after a major creditor withdrew its support following months of cashflow problems.
Q&A: Volante Global managing director Hans Døhlen
Hans Døhlen, managing director of Volante Germany, explains how Shareholder Activist Protection Insurance works.
R&Q separation plans attract rating agency scrutiny
AM Best put the credit ratings of R&Q and three of its subsidiaries under review with negative implications.
Paying all Ukraine war claims would bankrupt insurance industry, warns Howden
The insurance industry would be bankrupted if it were forced to cover all losses associated with the war in Ukraine, David Howden has warned.
Nirvana director claims MGAs have a recruitment edge
Managing general agents have an edge over traditional carriers when it comes to recruiting top underwriting personnel, a director of aspiring multiline underwriter Nirvana has told Insurance Post.