Opinion
The other side of the disaster story
Regarding David Bonehill’s letter about quality of service to policyholders, I write from the point of view of the disaster restoration industry.
View from the top: An endangered species?
UK-domiciled Lloyd’s brokers are under significant pressure. It’s always been a tough market, but the increased use of broker requests for proposals and unsolved inefficiencies are squeezing the London community further.
Compensation harmonisation across the EU
The European Union has a raft of measures to try and achieve harmonisation between member states but as Sarah Hamilton reports there is a long way to go in achieving a single compensation system.
International PMI: the brokers opportunity.
Many brokers fear branching out into unknown lines but Tim Mutton argues there is an excellent untapped opportunity for many European brokers in the international PMI market.
Editor’s comment: A heavy downpour
It never rains but it pours. Cliche that may be but it’s one that works on multiple levels across the insurance industry this week.
Penny Black’s insurance week
Any company that has ever rebranded will know the path is a perilous one.
View from the top: A multi-channel world
Many brokers will have read the recent update around Zurich’s personal lines strategy, following the announcement that we’re re-entering the direct channel later this year via an outsourced arrangement with Endsleigh, where the majority of new business…
Riot Act: pressure mounts for repeal as police cost burden deepens
Prime Minister David Cameron’s announcement that those suffering losses as a result of the recent outbreaks of violence, destruction and looting across England will have 42 days — rather than the 14 prescribed by statute — to claim compensation from the…
Cutting down on carbon – mitigating the effects of climate change.
Climate has a profound impact on property-related assets and as scientific evidence of a change in climate becomes more compelling Dr Cliff Warman asks how prepared the European insurance industry is now and for the future.
Penny Black’s insurance week
Penny got more information than she bargained for when she visited Axa’s London offices last week to get an update on its commercial lines strategy.
Editor's comment: A time of upheaval
Travelers’ decision to pull out of the Irish private motor market last week was an interesting - and apparently unexpected - one.
View from the top: Educating young drivers
The biggest killer of people between the ages of 17 and 24 in the UK is being a passenger or driver in a car. Our data suggests young drivers are five times more likely to make a claim than other drivers, increasing to 10 times as the severity of the…
FCA needs to embrace true reform
Brokers tend to skirt warily around telling the Financial Services Authority what its business should be and how to go about it — for good reason, as Willis might testify. But I was surprised that trade representatives were so circumspect about its…
The diverse and evolving nature of travel insurance distribution
Consumers’ travel habits and purchasing of travel insurance varies from country to country. Simon Tottman takes a look at which product and channels are dominating this line of insurance throughout Europe.
Penny Black’s insurance week
Mooching around the insurance industry as she does, Penny is lucky enough to meet some fairly colourful characters.
Target school leavers rather than graduates
I read with considerable interest the continuing tale of the shortage in the insurance industry’s talent pool.
Editor's comment: Reading the Riot Act
Last month saw the 30th anniversary of the Toxteth Riots, violent disturbances that erupted on 3 July 1981 following the arrest of a young man, Leroy Alphonse Cooper in Liverpool.
View from the top: The going gets tough
Tough is probably a rather English understatement to describe the state of the world — and the world of reinsurance and insurance — today.
News analysis - Lancashire Tax move: Bringing business back to Blighty
With Lancashire set to move its tax residence to the UK, Amy Ellis looks at proposed reforms to the controlled foreign companies rules and asks whether other insurers may follow suit.
Postbox: Facing the data challenges of Solvency II
I read your article 'Lack of funds to spark Solvency II M&As', with interest. The article tells us that 31% of insurance firms surveyed are fully aware of the implications of Solvency II, and a further 38% are partially aware, but I wonder how many have…
Postbox: Squaring a difficult circle
David Bonehill's letter 'Bursting for Improvement' quite correctly referenced the scale of the burst pipe and escape-of-water claims either side of last Christmas. He also correctly identified the finite resource that is the UK loss adjusting profession…
View from the Top: Threat from wave of natural catastrophes?
The spate of natural catastrophes around the world shows no signs of abating.
European brokers set to benefit from IP growth
The value of intellectual property has come to the fore in recent months and according to Sam Bobo smart European brokers will be investing in developing insurance for this area in order to corner an expanding market.
Postbox: Collaboration is key to finding a surge solution
I read with interest David Bonehill's letter 'Bursting for Improvement'.