Opinion
View from the Top: Crazier than spaghetti junction
After all the protracted pandemonium for motor insurers, discipline is now needed, says Colin Batabyal, personal lines director, Covéa Insurance
Editor's comment: The spectre of Spitzer returns
In 2004, the US insurance broking industry came under attack as then New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer declared war — with allegations of kickbacks, rigged bids for insurance contracts and opaque practices, including contingent commissions.
View from the Top: The punchline? ABS is no joke
An insurance salesman and a lawyer walk into a bar – it certainly sounds like the beginning of a joke, but the new alternative business solution world is no laughing matter. What it is, in our view, is a major opportunity.
View from the Top: Regulators need our help
By working together we can sort out insurers’ tarnished image and cut the bureaucracy, says Robert Hiscox, honorary president, Hiscox
Editor's comment: Flood Re: worth the wait?
When something is worth waiting for, the anticipation can make the reward even sweeter.
View from the Top: Do not adjust your sets
So here we go again. Nine months after offering renewal to 1300 UK law firms – and less than two years after they entered the market – an unrated insurer, with a ‘passport’ into the UK insurance market, has been forced to cease trading having been…
View from the Top: A step closer to easing flood pain
Flood Re will help resolve the flood problem but insurers and government must still do more.
Editor's comment: Can insurers avoid tax trouble?
During this period of austerity, tax avoidance has turned into a major political issue, with Prime Minister David Cameron making it a key topic at the recent G8 summit of leading economies held at Lough Erne, Northern Ireland.
View from the Top: How flexible are you?
Insurers must have adaptable IT systems in place if they are to keep up with the rapid pace of change, says Peter Thompson.
View from the Top: Specialist insurers must up their game
The quota share, that simplest of arrangements where premiums and claims are split by the parties in a pre-agreed fixed proportion, is losing its innocence.
View from the Top: Three’s the magic number for FCA
Principles, accountability and proportionality are the essential elements for effective industry regulation, says Peter Hubbard, Group chief executive, UK General Insurance.
Scotland's Future - the issue of redenomination
An independent Scotland might have to adopt its own currency if the rest of the UK Government declined to participate in a the Scottish Governments 'Plan A' of a Sterling zone, or would do so only if Scotland accepted onerous conditions.
Editor's comment: Torrance’s 10-year itch
The seven-year itch was made famous by Marilyn Monroe’s 1955 film of the same name, but for the insurance industry it seems there is a 10-year itch, as yet another UK chief executive leaves with the tin anniversary in sight.
View from the Top: Analytics and Generation Y
SAP's Robert Cummings discusses how real time analytics tapped from big data can help tap the next generation's appetite for mobile technology capabilities.
View from the Top: The result of clarity? Confusion
Regulatory transparency is set to make headlines with the Financial Conduct Authority due to report back this month.
View from the Top: Innovate or face the music
If you can’t collaborate with customers on the front lines, you might as well kiss them goodbye, says Nick Skinner.
Law report: Moped racer sees claim reduction
This law report has been contributed by law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Law report: Building firm successfully argues obligation breach was not bad enough to be repudiatory
This law report was contributed by law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Law report: Welding insurer awarded costs after breach of warranty row
This law report has been contributed by law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Comment: Creative fraudbusting
Appealing to the casual fraudster’s conscience won’t work – it’s time for a more direct approach, says Eddie Longworth.
View From the Top: CSR not just the icing on the cake
Corporate Social Responsibility is a phrase which has become increasingly heard in the boardroom over the past decade. Whole sections of annual reports outline to investors what CSR activities firms are undertaking and some companies have set up CSR…
Editor's comment: Ringing the changes
The Financial Conduct Authority’s review of motor legal expenses insurance was given an airy response by the LEI sector.
View from the Top: Listen to young employees
Insurance is an industry under pressure. We’ve read and heard ad nauseam about the causes and symptoms of our troubles and I don’t propose to provide another list here.
View from the Top: London must lead the way
Innovation is key if the London market is to retain its global importance to the industry, says Nicolas Aubert.