Opinion
Editor's comment: A new way of looking at things
Usually I reserve my commentary for the market’s latest developments, seeking to pinpoint emerging trends or highlight questionable practices – both those within the industry and, more often than not, those that adversely impact upon it.
My best 11: Bobby Gracey, Crawford & Company
The inaugural manager to select his best XI for a potential start-up company is Bobby Gracey, vice president for global counter-fraud solutions and UK business development director at Crawford & Company. A heavy reliance on his claims and fraud…
Comment: The more things change...
Thirty years ago we saw recession, a royal wedding and riots. Sound familiar?
North of the boarder: Redesigning structured settlements
In the recent case D’s Parent & Guardian v Greater Glasgow Health Board (2011), a 10 year old child, D, suffered catastrophic neurological trauma during forceps delivery at birth.
View from the top: Rebuilding after the riots
The recent riots are the perfect opportunity for insurers to turn customers into ambassadors
Expert opinion: A world of information
Enthusiasm for the National Address Gazetteer has waned since it was announced this would not be free
The compensation culture is a myth
I would like to pick up on a section of the article ‘Two sides to the story’ in which it is mentioned that ‘the compensation culture has become firmly embedded in the UK’ and ‘a system less clogged up by frivolous claims will mean swifter access to…
Editor's comment: The fall of angels
Many might argue the day was an inevitable one for a motor insurance giant where UK car cover accounts for 90% of group turnover, but the market evidently hoped otherwise. Admiral’s radiant stock market halo has finally lost some of its shine.
Penny Black’s insurance week
After the guest host at this year’s British Insurance Awards Jonathan Ross said Capita Group’s Tony Tarquini had a name for show business, Penny was keen to meet the man herself.
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.