News
View from the top: Time for a reality check
Operating efficiently and profitably in a recession certainly focuses the mind as most of us are all too well aware. The characteristics of this recession for the commercial insurance market are, perhaps, different compared with previous downturns.
Career path & CSR: Ask the expert
I am about to start job hunting and wondered how much notice recruiters take of a candidate's social networking profile. Would you advise I clean mine up?
Lord Young rebuffs Arag as he promises action
Lord Young of Graffham has insisted that compensation culture "is not a hysteria, but a belief" in the wake of the publication of his long-awaited health & safety review.
Allianz reaps benefits of MoJ's electronic claims portal
Allianz has made significant savings in the five months since the Ministry of Justice's electronic portal for road traffic accident claims was set up.
Career path & CSR: Young professionals prepare to unveil social media surge plans
A group of young insurance professionals are putting their heads together to investigate how social media can be used to improve communication with customers during a claims surge.
Lockton aims for 1 December move to LLP
Lockton International has set itself a 1 December deadline to complete its transformation to a limited liability partnership after the move received regulatory approval.
Claims Event news: Too late to join Iphone app stampede claims Swiftcover
Insurers that have not already created an app for Iphones should look to build a mobile site instead.
Esure reveals earliest date for an IPO will be 2014
The founder and chairman of direct insurer Esure Peter Wood has revealed that 2014 is the earliest that it will launch an initial public offering.
LV talks tough on fraud as senior claims manager Lawless imprisoned
LV has signalled its intent to punish internal fraud, after it emerged a former claims boss at Highway has begun a three-and-a-half year fraud sentence.
Heath Lambert looking to buy after refinancing
Heath Lambert chief executive Adrian Colosso has revealed the company's recent refinancing package could enable the broker to make a long-awaited acquisition.
Aviva replaced by First Assist as bank seeks retail travel growth
Barclays is set to drop Aviva as the underwriter of its travel insurance after sealing a new deal with niche provider First Assist.
Claims Event news: Icelandic volcano highlights industry's shortcomings on media handling
The insurance industry must take firmer steps to generate positive press around its handling of crises that generate high volumes of claims, according to a media consultant.
MIB seeks clarification over credit repair
The Motor Insurers' Bureau has written to a number of its members to clarify the increasingly thorny issue of who should pick up the bill for credit repair, when an insurer discovers the other driver is uninsured.
NIG's Timberlake moves on to QBE after a year
NIG's northern manager is to step down at the end of the month, a year after taking the role.
Claims Event news: Ever-changing tide of regulation could leave some firms exposed
"They say it is only when the tide goes out that you know who has been swimming without their trunks on", said Ant Gould, chairman of the Claims Club, as he welcomed more than 200 movers and shakers from the claims industry.
Claims Event news: Majority wants MoJ RTA portal limit extended to £25 000
Some 60% of delegates at the Claims Event said they would welcome a move to incorporate claims for up to £25 000 in the Ministry of Justice's low value road traffic accident portal.
Angel rated best for service by UK brokers
Angel Underwriting has come top in a comprehensive study of UK brokers into service delivery from commercial insurers and underwriting agencies.
Hardy boss accuses Beazley of undervaluing firm with offer
Hardy chief executive Barbara Merry has blamed a tough insurance cycle for the insurer trading below book value but said that is no reason for its shareholders to jump to accept Beazley's offer.
Claims Event news: Premium increases not claims farming solution
Claims farming is a demonstration of "greed" and pricing is not the solution for insurers looking to tackle it.
Career path & CSR: National Friendly sponsors under-15s team
The Merthyr under-15's rugby team is kicking off the season having secured a new sponsorship deal with specialist health insurer National Friendly.
Claims Event news: Airmic aligns itself with ABI to support Jackson review
The Association of Insurance and Risk Managers has emphasised it is "fully supportive" of Lord Justice Jackson's review of civil litigation costs.
Claims Event news: ABI's Starling claims judiciary is 'on-side' with Jackson review
Liability claims managers have every reason to feel "optimistic", according to the Association of British Insurers' director of general insurance and health Nick Starling.
Claims Event news: Lawyer suggests referral fees will survive coalition review
Referral fees are here to stay according to a prominent lawyer, who warned the insurance industry it is just going to have to 'deal with them'.
Editor's comment: Lloyd's soap rumbles on
As the clock ticked down to the Friday (15 October) deadline to complete a deal for Brit, the Dutch-domiciled insurer confirmed an extension has been granted to bidders Apollo and CVC Capital Partners.