Articles by Harry Curtis
Analysis: The future of Lloyd's underwriting room in a 'hybrid world'
In February, Lloyd’s launched a consultation on the future of its famous underwriting room, inviting market participants to take part in “a once-in-a-generation opportunity” to shape the space going forwards.
Covid curbs drive Admiral to record profits
Admiral has posted record pre-tax profits of £638m for 2020, reaping the benefit of fewer claims as a result of quieter roads during lockdown.
PI Analysis: Pandemic pushes cover down technology firms' to-do lists
Professional indemnity insurance may have slipped down the shopping list of some IT and technology companies, but firms that do take out cover are finding the type of policy limits they are used to harder to come by
'No magic bullet' to fix Covid-19 reputation hit, says Hiscox as it posts $268m loss
There is “no magic bullet” Hiscox can use to remedy the hit to its reputation suffered through the long-running disputes over business interruption cover, the insurer’s global retail CEO Ben Walter has said.
Exclusionary language around Covid-19 likely to be 'omnipresent' following 1/1 reinsurance renewals
Reinsurers sought to “tidy up” contracts during January’s renewal season, sometimes to the detriment of possible rate increases, raising questions for insurers as to how to cover excluded risks.
£77m Covid impact drives RSA UK loss
Scott Egan, RSA’s UK and international CEO, has said the division delivered a “strong” performance in 2020, despite the impact of Covid-19 bringing a halt to its return to profitability in the UK.
IBM unlawfully breached Co-op IT contract and must pay £13m, High Court rules
Co-op Insurance has won its claim against IBM for breach of an IT contract in 2017 and is entitled to a £13m net sum, the High Court has ruled.
FCA mulls timeline for dual pricing fix following consultation
The Financial Conduct Authority is reconsidering the implementation period for its dual pricing remedy proposals following consultation with the industry.
Helping leaseholders caught up in the cladding crisis in insurance sector's 'reputational interests', says Shadow Economic Secretary
The insurance industry should work to help leaseholders affected by the cladding crisis in order to service not only the national interest but its reputational interests, attendees at the Association of British Insurers’ annual conference have heard.
Exclusions will widen the expectation gap, FOS chief warns insurers
Financial Ombudsman Service CEO Caroline Wayman has cautioned insurers that adding exclusions to policies which have generated claims during the pandemic would widen the gap between policyholder expectations and the reality of their cover.
EU 'likely' to follow UK's lead on Solvency II changes to free up investment capital
The European Union would likely follow the UK’s lead were it to reform Solvency II rules to free up capital for long-term investments, attendees at the Association of British Insurers’ annual conference have heard.
Intelligence: Operational resilience - Regulators raise the bar for crisis response
After drawn-out consultations financial regulators will soon lay out what they expect from firms in terms of operational resilience. Harry Curtis investigates.
Concerns flagged that directors' liabilities under audit reform may be uninsurable
Forthcoming audit reforms that will make directors, rather than boards, personally responsible for the accuracy of company financial statements might not be insurable, the Forum of Insurance Lawyers has warned.
Engineers carrying out cladding assessments will be able to avail of state-backed PI cover
The government has committed to a state-backed indemnity scheme for fire safety engineers who are unable to obtain professional indemnity insurance, as it announced an additional £3.5bn in funding for the removal of cladding from buildings 18m in height…
Insurance affordability and availability issues do not equate to market failure: ABI's James Dalton
The Covid-19 pandemic has not led to market failures in the UK insurance sector, James Dalton, director of general insurance policy at the Association of British Insurers, has said.
Disputes over furlough deductions from BI claims continue as adjusters and assessors call for clear guidance
Loss adjusters and assessors have called on the government and regulators to publish clear guidance on how government support received by businesses is to be treated in respect of lockdown-related interruption claims.
Beazley braced for Covid-19 liability claims in 2021 as it reports $50m 2020 loss
Beazley expects to feel the delayed impact of Covid-19-related liability claims later this year, highlighting its directors' and officers' and healthcare books as particular concerns.
Analysis: More uncertainty for BI policyholders over losses beyond first lockdown
Many business interruption policyholders may only be able to claim for losses suffered during last year’s first coronavirus lockdown, with cover for subsequent losses depending on factors such as the wordings of their policies and their renewal date.
Insurers and brokers offer leave and flexible working as school closures strain parents
Insurers and brokers have increased paid leave and introduced more flexible working arrangements to employees under additional pressure from lockdown restrictions, with a particular focus on those now juggling work with childcare responsibilities.
Interview: Paul Coleman and Allison Hughes, Peach Pi
Last October saw the launch of Peach Pi, an insurance brand pitching itself to the UK’s micro-SMEs, freelancers and entrepreneurs. Harry Curtis caught up with managing director, Paul Coleman and Allison Hughes, head of distribution to learn about how the…
Government launches consultation on changes to Flood Re
The government has launched a consultation on changes to Flood Re, which would permit the industry pool to discount premiums on properties where flood resilience measures have been fitted and supplement claims payments to enable homeowners to ‘build back…
Cyber insurers hit back at suggested ransomware claims ban
Cyber insurers have hit back at former UK cybersecurity chief Ciaran Martin’s suggestion that ransomware claims payouts are fuelling organised crime and that a ban on such payments should be considered.
Markerstudy restructures debts and looks to acquisitions with £200m PE-led investment
Markerstudy has agreed a £200m investment led by private equity firm Pollen Street Capital, which will see its debts to Qatar Re restructured and fund organic and acquisition-led growth.
Zurich offers free counselling to claimants
Zurich is to offer policyholders that make a claim free counselling sessions, following a nine-month pilot last year.