Post - 2010-07-15
Articles in this issue
British Insurance Awards 2010: Investing in its people
With a quality product, new brand identity and associated advertising campaign, RIAS delivered impressive results last year and this is, above all, down to its staff. Liz McMahon explains how the over-50s insurance provider has kept its people at the…
British Insurance Awards 2010: Cracking commercial
This year's winner, Heath Lambert, is a broker that has taken significant strides to enhance its UK operations and client service in recent years culminating in victory at the British Insurance Awards 2010 writes Andrew Tjaardstra.
British Insurance Awards 2010: Making risk manageable
The recession has highlighted the need for firms to use their budgets more effectively. FM Global's Riskmark impressed judges with the way in which it improved risk assessment, writes Daniel Dunkley.
British Insurance Awards 2010: Unchartered waters
CFC Underwriting spotted an opportunity in the failing insurance pricing model of US nursing homes and rescued it from near collapse, attracting huge praise from the judges, writes Jonathan Swift.
British Insurance Awards: Leading with innovation
Fortis Insurance has boosted customer satisfaction after it reworked its claims handling process and introduced innovative new initiatives, writes Jonathan Swift.
British Insurance Awards 2010: Triumph over adversity
As we all know, insurance exists to help individuals and businesses prepare for life's uncertainties and cope with the consequences. Quite literally, it comes to the rescue. And the past 12 months have been no exception.
British Insurance Awards 2010: Making their minds up
Judging the overwhelming number of award entries is a tough process but even an erupting Icelandic volcano couldn't stop the panel from picking the winners for this year's awards, as Ant Gould explains.
British Insurance Awards 2010: Every little bit helps
By engaging consumers with LivePerson's online chat functionality, RSA's More Th>n has successfully nudged up its conversion rate to boost sales, proving that 'little by little' really works. Katherine Blackler follows the journey.
British Insurance Awards 2010: Be the best that you can
Professionalism is the key to a successful industry, Ant Gould tells the great and good at the BIA.
British Insurance Awards 2010 - Handing over the reins
Building a protection operation with no legacy systems and using the latest e-business technology, Fortis has given control back to advisers and improved efficiency along the way. Amy Ellis reports.
British Insurance Awards 2010: Opening doors online
Since identifying a group of consumers in the non-standard household insurance arena who were not being provided for online, avantia has not only given access to these five million people but its success story has set an example for the rest of the…
British Insurance Awards 2010: Co-operative champions
The Cockermouth floods of 2009 affected an entire community. With lessons learned from the 2005 Carlisle event, this time two firms coordinated the recovery effort with greatly improved results, writes Stephanie Denton.
British Insurance Awards 2010: Detecting real success
The efforts of just four dedicated Greater Manchester Police officers has succeeded in saving the industry £12m, reports Lynn Rouse.
British Insurance Awards 2010: Costs down, service up
Leigh Jackson discovers how adhering to a mantra of repairing rather than replacing has led to improved customer satisfaction and retention, higher profits and some very happy insurers and brokers with improved loss ratios.
Knowles joins in MMA management shake-up
Former general insurance boss of the Chartered Insurance Institute Peter Knowles has been appointed head of UK development at MMA following a management shake-up at the French-owned insurer.
HNW return for John Sims
Former Chubb Europe personal lines manager John Sims has returned to the high net worth market as a consultant with Sterling.
Aviva tender sees three million policies switched
Arc Legal Assistance is set to take over Aviva's home and travel legal expenses book from rival provider DAS.
Aggregator set to prosper
Go Compare chief executive Hayley Parsons has claimed profits will double this year after the aggregator moved into the black for the first time since inception and repaid its loan facility early.
Allianz head urges SRA to take PI action
Allianz head of financial lines Mark Carver has accused the Solicitors Regulation Authority of "burying its head in the sand" over the growing problems associated with professional indemnity insurance for the legal sector.
Contract law in consultation
The Law Commission is considering amending insurance contract law to allow insurers to seek damages from fraudulent policyholders.
Quinn faces huge claim after burger factory fire
Beleaguered insurer Quinn is set to face a significant claim after a factory used by fast food giant Burger King was destroyed by fire, it has emerged.
COO follows CEO out of Travelers UK
Travelers remained tight-lipped this week on the future of its UK management after it was hit by a second senior departure in less than a year when Tony Dilley stepped down as chief operating officer.
IFB heralds Burnley fraud ring success
The Insurance Fraud Bureau and Lancashire Police have convicted a fraud ring targeting insurers in Burnley.
BMW in rehabilitation deal
Motor manufacturer BMW is poised to save up to £3m after signing up to a back-to-work scheme offered by XL Insurance and rehabilitation specialists IPRS.
Heath and BDML wait on Admiral
Admiral has signalled its intent to underwrite household products from 2011, in a move that is set to impact its current white label arrangements.
Editor's comment: In search of a CEO
The news that Travelers chief operating officer Tony Dilley has left the UK business this week raised questions again about how the hunt is going for a successor to Martin Hudson, the business' CEO who departed in October 2009.
Fraudsters banned from financial services
Three men involved in a scam to defraud Markel and QBE of millions of pounds have been banned from working in financial services.
Credit hire malpractice high
An investigation by the Brownsword Group has uncovered high levels of malpractice within the credit hire industry.
Website Review: Confused
In the second of a new series for Post, web performance monitoring specialist Gomez runs the rule over Confused's website to see how it performs in a number of key areas and stands up against some of its rivals.
Iprism is confident of success as 'penny drops'
The "penny has finally dropped" regarding the online commercial insurance market and it could finally take off after several false dawns.
BCIS reveals fall in house rebuilding costs
The cost of rebuilding a house has fallen 1.6% in the second quarter of 2010 compared with the second quarter of 2009.
S&P links up with Reader's Digest in affinity partnership
S&P Direct has formed a three-year affinity partnership with Reader's Digest Financial Services to offer its customers home insurance products.
New regulator could result in Euro tied agent model
The increased focus on policyholders by the incoming regulator The Consumer Protection Agency could lead to a greater infiltration of the European tied agent model in the UK, according to Higos Insurance Services managing director Ian Gosden.
New broking powerhouse CEO outlines strategy
The long-winded title of the holding company formed following the merger between Cooper Gay and US broker Swett & Crawford will not be adopted by its subsidiaries, according to chief executive Toby Esser.
PIA launches platform in Malta and Italy
Online professional indemnity insurance broker Professional Insurance Agents has launched its multi-quote & buy insurance platform in Malta and Italy.
HSBC picks Questgates
Questgates has been appointed by HSBC Insurance UK as the solus provider of motor adjusting services for its run-off motor portfolio.
Five in at DWF
Peter Blake, Nick Connolly, James Manning, Dan Verow and Sophie Mourmouris have joined the London-based insurance team of DWF.
Chartis and investigators help convict HNW gang
A private investigation and surveillance firm instructed by Chartis has helped build a case against a gang jailed for committing a series of burglaries of high net worth properties across the North-west of England.
We will tackle the skills shortage, vows ILAA
The Independent Loss Adjusters Association has pledged to tackle the industry skills shortage following its official launch this month.
Thatcham steps in to fill void after demise of VSIB
Thatcham has launched a monitoring and assessment scheme for vehicle safety system installers.
News analysis - Aggregators: Direct response
The summer has seen direct writers fight back, coming out ahead of brokers 60% of the time. Tom Cooper asks why and considers the current aggregator trends.
Equity World Cup competition: The perfect match
Spain's triumph in the World Cup final may not have lived up to expectations — but our competition certainly did
View from the top: Discretion is dangerous
With the dust settling on the emergency budget, individuals and businesses are working out what this means for them.
Postbox: Tweeting isn't just a popularity contest
Natalie Gyte of Greenlight is right about the importance of social media for insurers.
Post Intelligence Benchmarking - Legal expenses: Five go forth
Fresh from surveying broker readers, Insurance 360's Peter Joy lifts the lid on the service provided by the UK's five leading legal expenses insurers — as their brokers experience it.
Legal expenses - SME: Risky business
With employment and contractual disputes on the up since the downturn, many businesses are in greater need of legal expenses insurance. Why, then, is demand and take-up by SMEs still low, asks Sam Barrett.
Law report: Claimant partially to blame in contractor mud slip claim
This law report has been contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Law report: Mesothelioma claim defeated as work met contemporary standards
This law report was contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Law report: Adjudicator was wrong to exclude legitimate defence
This law report was contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Career development & CSR news: National Flood School set to endorse contractors
The National Flood School is introducing a new contractor endorsement programme to help signpost insurance companies and consumers to a trusted network of professional flood and fire restoration professionals.
Career development & CSR news: Ask the expert
Is it better to leave negative things off a CV, such as redundancies or failed exams, and instead address them in the actual interview?
Career development & CSR News: BGL Isle of Wight trek raises £3500 for local hospice
Claims managers from BGL who stomped across the Isle of Wight for charity have raised more than £3500 for a local hospice.
Career development & CSR News: CAB tee peg sponsorship
Insurance Claims Accommodation Bureau has sponsored the tee pegs at an annual charity golf day. Local business people turned out on the day at Hartsbourne Golf club in Bushey, to raise more than £25 000 for the Breakaway charity.
Postscript - 30 years ago: Women wait on Lloyd's for first time
Looking through Post's back catalogue paints a unique picture of more than 150 years of insurance news, as this highlight form 30 years ago reveals.
Postscript - 10 years ago: Claims Direct plans shock industry
Looking through Post's back catalogue paints a unique picture of more than 150 years of insurance news, as this highlight form 10 years ago reveals.
Penny Black's insurance week
Last week RSA continued to celebrate its 300th anniversary with a bash on the Thames, which was attended by the great and the good of the firm from group CEO Andy Haste downwards.
British Insurance Awards 2010: Give the personal touch
Fortis UK’s stringent customer service standards have led to a successful partnership with age Concern enterprises and were even critical in saving a customer’s life reports Daniel Dunkley.
British Insurance Awards 2010: Lust for marketing
Emmanuel Kenning looks at Swiftcover’s energetic multi-media campaign fronted by legendary punk rocker Iggy Pop.
British Insurance Awards 2010: Leaders in learning
RSA’s training programme has brought marketing staff from all over the world together to network, learn and create a strong and coherent international brand, explains Liz McMahon.
British Insurance Awards 2010: Remarkable rise
Keeley Goding’s meteoric rise to lead Hiscox’s technical claims team is underpinned by a maturity beyond her years that has seen the quality of work by the department go from strength-to-strength, writes Leigh Jackson.
British Insurance Awards 2010: Corporate conscience
Marsh has revamped its CSR activities by instigating a centrally managed and integrated approach to charitable activities and environmental initiatives, explains Amy Ellis.
British Insurance Awards 2010: Life in the fast lane
Wesleyan Assurance Society’s long history has not prevented the insurer from reviewing its offerings and launching innovative new products, writes Mairi MacDonald.
British Insurance Awards 2010: Top of the class
Allianz has made record profits, improved service and invested in staff despite the economic downturn, writes Mairi MacDonald.
British Insurance Awards 2010: Sun never sets on West
MIB chief executive Ashton West has been a tireless leader of moves to embrace rehabilitation and tackle the twin issues of fraud and uninsured drivers, writes Ant Gould.
Postscript - 5 years ago: Lord Hunt attacks FSA at BIA
Looking through Post's back catalogue paints a unique picture of more than 150 years of insurance news, as this highlight form 5 years ago reveals.
The British Insurance Awards 2010 – souvenir supplement
Innovation and excellence in the industry was recognised and rewarded over 19 categories at The British Insurance Awards 2010.
Handing over the reins
Building a protection operation with no legacy systems and using the latest e-business technology, Fortis has given control back to advisers and improved efficiency along the way. <BODY><p>Amy Ellis </p></BODY>reports.
Investing in its people
With a quality product, new brand identity and associated advertising campaign, RIAS delivered impressive results last year and this is, above all, down to its staff. <BODY><p>Liz McMahon </p></BODY>explains how the over-50s insurance provider has kept…
Cracking commercial
This year's winner, Heath Lambert, is a broker that has taken significant strides to enhance its UK operations and client service in recent years culminating in victory at the British Insurance Awards 2010 writes <BODY><p>Andrew Tjaardstra</p></BODY>.
Opening doors online
Since identifying a group of consumers in the non-standard household insurance arena who were not being provided for online, avantia has not only given access to these five million people but its success story has set an example for the rest of the…
making risk manageable
The recession has highlighted the need for firms to use their budgets more effectively. FM Global's Riskmark impressed judges with the way in which it improved risk assessment, writes <BODY><p>Daniel Dunkley</p></BODY>.
Unchartered waters
CFC Underwriting spotted an opportunity in the failing insurance pricing model of US nursing homes and rescued it from near collapse, attracting huge praise from the judges, writes <BODY><p>Jonathan Swift</p></BODY>.
leading with innovation
Fortis Insurance has boosted customer satisfaction after it reworked its claims handling process and introduced innovative new initiatives, writes <BODY><p>Jonathan Swift</p></BODY>.
co-operative champions
The Cockermouth floods of 2009 affected an entire community. With lessons learned from the 2005 Carlisle event, this time two firms coordinated the recovery effort with greatly improved results, writes <BODY><p>Stephanie Denton</p></BODY>
detecting real success
The efforts of just four dedicated Greater Manchester Police officers has succeeded in saving the industry £12m, reports <BODY><p>Lynn Rouse</p></BODY>.
costs down, service up
<BODY><p>Leigh Jackson </p></BODY>discovers how adhering to a mantra of repairing rather than replacing has led to improved customer satisfaction and retention, higher profits and some very happy insurers and brokers with improved loss ratios.
give the personal touch
Fortis UK's stringent customer service standards have led to a successful partnership with Age Concern Enterprises and were even critical in saving a customer's life reports <BODY><p>Daniel Dunkley</p></BODY>.
lust for marketing
<BODY><p>Emmanuel Kenning</p></BODY> looks at Swiftcover's energetic multi-media campaign fronted by legendary punk rocker Iggy Pop.
leaders in learning
RSA's training programme has brought marketing staff from all over the world together to network, learn and create a strong and coherent international brand, explains <BODY><p>Liz McMahon</p></BODY>.
Remarkable rise
Keeley Goding's meteoric rise to lead Hiscox's technical claims team is underpinned by a maturity beyond her years that has seen the quality of work by the department go from strength-to-strength, writes <BODY><p>Leigh Jackson</p></BODY>.
Corporate conscience
Marsh has revamped its CSR activities by instigating a centrally managed and integrated approach to charitable activities and environmental initiatives, explains <BODY><p>Amy Ellis</p></BODY>.
Life in the fast lane
Wesleyan Assurance Society's long history has not prevented the insurer from reviewing its offerings and launching innovative new products, writes <BODY><p>Mairi MacDonald</p></BODY>.
Top of the class
Allianz has made record profits, improved service and invested in staff despite the economic downturn, writes <BODY><p>Mairi MacDonald</p></BODY>.
sun never sets on west
MIB chief executive Ashton West has been a tireless leader of moves to embrace rehabilitation and tackle the twin issues of fraud and uninsured drivers, writes <BODY><p>Ant Gould</p></BODY>.
BE the best that you can
Professionalism is the key to a successful industry, <BODY><p>Ant Gould</p></BODY> tells the great and good at the BIA.
making their minds up
Judging the overwhelming number of award entries is a tough process but even an erupting Icelandic volcano couldn't stop the panel from picking the winners for this year's awards, as <BODY><p>Ant Gould</p></BODY> explains.
Every little bit helps
By engaging consumers with LivePerson's online chat functionality, RSA's More Th>n has successfully nudged up its conversion rate to boost sales, proving that 'little by little' really works. <BODY><p>Katherine Blackler</p></BODY> follows the journey.