Opinion
Penny Black’s insurance week
Penny was in her element when she attended the four-year anniversary of Ecclesiastical’s art and heritage team.
Your say: Nothing left to fight for
Following the recent credit hire case of Darren Bent, and the alleged fraudulent activity of Autofocus, isn’t it time for all insurers to fully embrace the general terms of agreement protocol?
Your say: Environmental lobby stance
I read the article on fire protection sprinklers, The market needs saturating with interest, and agree with Andrew Miller that the environmental issues could be used as an extremely effective argument in the UK to lobby government.
Your say: Over audits
I read with interest the article regarding claims audits - Forensic claims analyst issues warning as insurers fail to focus on audits.
Editor's comment: The winds of change
And so we end 2011 in a similar vein to December 2010, with loss adjusters doubling staff numbers, ramping up resources and putting into play their surge plans as severe weather conditions batter the UK.
View from the top: My showbiz life
It’s all go when you’re in demand, so Christmas is the perfect time of year to paws for thought and to reflect on the events of the past year.
Penny Black’s insurance week
With the festive period almost upon us Penny took a break from Christmas shopping to attend the numerous seasonal outings on offer from the ever-generous folks in the insurance world.
North of the border: Encouraging results
Manual handling case finds 'reasonable practicability' requirements are not insurmountable, says Simpson & Marwick associate David Pollok.
View from the top: Christmas wishes
Insurance intellectual capital must be mobilised to better defend client interests in 2012, says Lockton International CEO Julian James.
Your say: Urgent lessons must be learnt from the government’s critical riot report
The government’s interim report on the summer riots makes uncomfortable reading for the insurance industry.
Penny Black’s insurance week
Pity Penny’s friend Jamie Marchant, Groupama’s marketing supremo.
Your say: Question marks over Bent
The judgment in the Bent v Highways and Utilities case raises some very interesting questions - and there are at least two question marks hanging over the early stage handling of the case.
Editor's comment: Sales, sprinklers and statistics
Any reputable estate agent — excusing the potential oxymoron — will tell you the property market falls quiet in the run-up to Christmas, as potential vendors focus on the festivities ahead. Not so in the insurance market, with an unexpected end-of-year…
My best 11- Ian Wainwright and Paul Lee, Ecclesiastical Insurance
Ian Wainwright, broker sales director at Ecclesiastical, and Paul Lee, northern regional director, select their Best XI for an insurance start-up. The self-styled Clough and Taylor have chosen from the great and good of insurance — including their boss —…
View from the top: Embrace the post-Jackson world
The Jackson reforms present a real opportunity. As we await the Ministry of Justice consultation response, let’s be optimistic and assume full implementation next year at sustainable costs levels with real incentives to keep cases ‘on track’.
Helping retailers to have a merry Christmas
Given the precarious state of the European economy and the threat of a double dip recession a real possibility, retailers across Europe need a good Christmas shopping season more than ever this year.
Your say: ABI gauntlet thrown down...
An article published in the 3 November edition of Post started a bit of a debate between Auto Law legal director Lucy Bonham Carter and assistant director, head of motor and liability at the Association of British Insurers, James Dalton.
Penny Black’s insurance week
Penny was delighted to be among the industry grandees for the prestigious 60th birthday bash of high net worth insurer Sterling last week, taking in the atmosphere at London’s fancy Café de Paris.
Editor's comment: Knowledge swap shop
The first of many: that appears to be the over-riding theme of this week’s insurance market developments. First we had the groundbreaking strategic partnership struck between Catlin and China Re, in a move both parties expect will prove extremely…
View from the top: Taking opportunities
The Swedish market for non-life insurance is dominated by four large domestic players together accounting for around 82% of annual premium.
Penny Black’s insurance week
Although more accustomed to fine dining and a spot of opera, Penny accepted an invitation from Towergate’s Marc DonFrancesco for a slap-up steak, washed down with some rock ‘n’ roll.
Your say: Thinking small
I enjoyed the article about the ‘historic’ merger between the British Insurance Brokers’ Association and Institute of Insurance Brokers but was a little disappointed that the only broker reaction published came from Stuart Reid, Jon Morrell and Phillip…
Editor's comment: Coming back to bite
Confident words have a nasty habit of coming back to haunt you – as Admiral’s CEO Henry Engelhardt discovered to his cost this week. From stockmarket darling to deep disappointer inside nine months, the motor-focused UK insurer has certainly suffered a…
My best 11 Simon Cooter, Brit Insurance
Brit Insurance’s director of market management and regional operations selects his Best XI for an insurance start-up, relying heavily on his colleagues, as well as celebrity businessmen and sporting superstars.