Opinion
Your Say: Forecasting for subsidence
The Secretary of State has declared a drought in the south east, while East Anglia has received just 35% of the rain it might usually expect in the first 20 days of February. But this means very little when it comes to predicting the potential cost of…
Your Say: Taking on Tesco
Since Axa and Zurich reported improved UK earnings in mid-February, a number of other insurers have impressed with upbeat personal lines results. After a dismal 2011, these performances should be applauded, and demonstrate that, unlike the banks, which…
Comment: Mind the Watford Gap
Web-based technology means the Lloyd's market can afford to look beyond London
Editor's comment: Insurers must be socially mobile
Joining a party too late can be disastrous. Not least because the early attendees may have drunk the place dry.
Ask the expert: Ali Foroshani
A senior consultant in Randstad Financial & Professional's insurance division, Ali Foroshani advises on what to do if you feel stuck in a rut.
Editor's comment: Leaving on a jet plane
Reports that the Prudential is looking at jumping into Asia after 164 years has made some obvious waves around the sector.
View from the Top: Affinity in Central and Eastern Europe
In the last few years, many customers in Central Eastern Europe have welcomed a one stop-shop approach, appreciating the benefits of insuring their products at the same time as purchasing them.
Your say: Piping up over freezing
The Department for Environment and Rural Affairs is dropping hints that it may agree to some sort of subsidy for properties built in flood zones to support insurers in offering affordable cover.
View from the top: Investing in people is paramount
While an over-used phrase, it is true that broking is a people business. Every day we are building relationships with our clients and with our provider partners. Therefore, focusing on and investing in people development is not just a cliché, it’s a…
Editor's comment: A call to arms - for some
In a week where some of the news could have come from the pages of a spy novel with hidden cameras and tracker devices being used, it is with some comfort that one story appears a simple case of black and white.
North of the Border: An interest-ing judicial decision
The savers among us have grumbled for some time as the Bank of England rate stagnates at 0.5%, but a recent decision in Scotland could benefit insurers that have grappled with excessive interest on damages for years.
View from the top: SMEs need insurer support to prosper in tough times
Tiny glimmers of hope came from the Confederation of British Industry this month, with its prediction Britain will avoid an official recession and see reduced inflation in the second half of 2012.
View from the Top: Maritime trade, empires and insurance in Holland and the UK
The 17th century saw the Dutch and the English competing for control over the seas and trade routes, which both countries rightly saw as fundamental to their economic and political standing.
Liberalising the Italian motor market
The Italian government is aiming to combat motor insurance fraud with its Decreee Cresci Italy. However, as Paolo Golinucci explains this might not be as straightforward as it seems.
Comment: Keep calm and carry on
The industry needs to keep its sense of perspective about the current market turmoils
Comment: ELTO is not fit for purpose
Improvements are needed to help people trace their insurance policies, says Peter Watson, managing partner at Simpson Miller.
To ‘E’ or not to ‘E’ – that is the question?
As the European insurance industry slowly starts to emulate the UK and adopt e-trading, Simon Ronaldson asks how European insurers can learn from the experience of their more mature counterparts.
View from the Top: Future Flooding
Government must play its part in achieving a satisfactory solution to flood defence
View from the Top: An illusion of choice
With no sign of a turning market, a bout of consolidation looks on the cards
Penny Black’s insurance week
This week wasn’t the happiest in the Black household.
Editor's comment: Speculation turns into action
The chatter around ‘Tesco Law’, alternative business structures and law firm consolidation appears to be getting louder each week as another eye-opening deal is unveiled to the media.
Your say: The importance of data
I was pleased to read the feature on data analytics, since this is now such an important area for the industry. The battle to win customers will soon be won or lost on how insurance brands use their data.
Your say: Two-way communication
My eye casually fell upon Post’s recent article on the subject of claims v underwriting and I could not resist the temptation to throw in my penny’s worth. This subject has been a source of debate for as long as I can remember — most certainly since I…
View from the top: Expect the unexpected
The industry must continue to adapt and evolve to meet constant changes to the market, says Mark Hodges.