Claims
Lloyds GI book hit by £156m rise in claims
The group saw its general insurance profit dip 32% in 2009 to £367m (2008: 537m) and overall insurance arm profit fall 34% to £1.2bn (2008: £1.54bn).
Helphire results improve for second half of 09
However, credit hire firm reports an statutory loss before tax of £0.4m.
Thompsons' mixed reaction to government's asbestos decision
Thompsons Solicitors has expressed disappointment at the decision not to restore compensation for people with pleural plaques in England & Wales.
Union rejects pleural plaques compensation decision
Justice Secretary Jack Straw has confirmed that the government would only compensate (through an ex-gratia payment of £5000) people with pleural plaques in England and Wales who had lodged a legal case prior to a Law Lords decision in 2007 to bar…
Capita turnover increases 10%
Capita has reported an increase in turnover of 10% to £2.69bn (2008: £2.44bn). Underlying profit rose by 11% to £357.7m (2008: £320.9m) and underlying profit before taxation increased by 17% to £325.1m (2008: £277.2m).
Looking Back - Recall costs could reach the billions
Insurers will not foot the bill for the biggest product recall in UK history — but the cost of paying out on related policies, defending claims and establishing liability, could reach billions of pounds.
Looking Back - Inquiry into the missing Salem tanker
Fraud squad officers are planning a month-long inquiry in South Africa, Greece and Liberia into the riddle of the missing $24m tanker Salem (215 000 tons) and its oil cargo worth $56m, which vanished en route to Europe in January.
Law reports: Wincanton loses appeal against liability for second injury
Robert Eric Spencer v Wincanton Holdings (Wincanton Logistics) (Court of Appeal — 21 December 2009)
Law reports: Appeal court leaves costs decision alone
Sughra Sulaman v Axa Insurance and another (Court of Appeal — 9 December 2009)
Law reports: Council appeals successfully against horse fair charge
Glaister and others v Appleby-in-Westmorland Town Council (Court of Appeal — 9 December 2009)
Legal Analysis - School Liability: Holding the line
The recent case against Ridgeway school raised important questions. Nick Yates examines why the case needed to be fought.
Legal analysis - fraudulent misrepresentation: Love my tender
When does an ambitious sales pitch become a fraud? Dipti Hunter and Michael Williams report on the difficulties in proving fraudulent misreprentation.
Legal analysis - Storm Claims: Covered by snow?
Stuart White examines cases of when snow is causative of damage and the all-important definition of storm.
Postbox - Blindingly obvious conclusion
I read the interview with Merlin's CEO and could not believe Richard Webster's conclusion, after breaching banking covenants, that "what we have learnt is... if you are exposed to the household market, you will see your demand go up and down alongside…
Fears rise as process reforms approach
Concerns are mounting that the imminent Ministry of Justice claims process reforms could encourage claims to be settled without medical evidence, creating significant exposures for solicitors and insurers.
MoJ defends itself over claims of "done deal"
The Ministry of Justice has defended its decision to shorten the response time for its defamation costs consultation paper after the Legal Expenses Insurance Group hit out at the "arbitrary reduction" last week.
PI victory highlights bus fraud threat
Provident has claimed a victory for the insurance industry after it avoided a potential cost of £200 000 in fraudulent personal injury claims.
MIB reduces levy on insurers for third year
The Motor Insurers' Bureau has introduced an annual levy on motor insurers of £397m for 2010, marking the third reduction in contributions to the fund of last resort in three years.
No replacement at Capita as fraud boss leaves
Capita has vowed to retain a presence in the claims management sector, despite another senior departure.