Opinion
Editor's comment: Sticking to the knitting
Sometimes you just need to stick to what you know best, a point proved by Capita this week when it sold ailing insurance businesses BDML, Lancaster, Sureterm and Delta to Markerstudy for an undisclosed sum.
Comment: My Licence will benefit all parties
Project aims to reduce costs for insurers, speed up underwriting and ultimately bring down motor premiums.
Penny Black's insurance week - 21 November 2013
Having told a Lloyd’s audience his report on Scottish civil litigation reforms was dubbed “Jackson with a kilt on” by critics, Sheriff Principal James Taylor last week expressed his surprise that no one had turned up at the event brandishing pitchforks.
Your say: Don’t blame solicitors for PI failure
It is surprising that brokers are criticising solicitor firms for leaving it too late to seek specialist advice, since the majority of practices left without insurance were affected by the aborted transfer of policies from Balva – an unrated insurer in…
C-Suite: How to ensure value beats price
Brokers and insurers working exclusively could take the cost factor out of clients’ decisions.
Your say: Getting campaigning right
If the Association of British Insurers are now seriously considering a publicity campaign to change the hearts and minds of the public and alter the commonly held view that insurance fraud is a victimless crime, then this must, in my opinion, be…
Editor's comment: Pass me a fork
It appears you can teach an old dog new tricks. Not so long ago I used this space to berate insurers for their lack of action in commercial underwriting, with firms talking the talk but not walking the walk.
C-Suite: The market needs MFN clauses
Anyone following the debate around ‘most favoured nation’ clauses could certainly be forgiven for getting lost in the hype and conjecture. But one undeniable result of all the scrutiny is that the issue has truly divided the insurance industry.
C-Suite: Let’s get back to service
Insurers that prioritise cost when selecting legal partners are ‘fobbing off’ customers to the lowest bidder.
View from the Top: Roll out the red carpet
The final quarter of the year is a time for reflection when we pause to look back on what the year brought our way, what we achieved and where we can improve. This is also the season of awards ceremonies to celebrate the achievements of the best across…
Editor's comment: Harvest time in EC3?
The UK recently celebrated the Harvest Festival, a time when the growing season has finished and the mature crops have been gathered successfully, ready to feed hungry mouths over the cold winter months.
View from the Top: Foreign investment controls in Asia-Pacific
Two lawyers from DLA Piper give an insight into foreign direct investment limits in the Asia-Pacific region.
Your Say: Give brokers the backing they need
The news reported by Post that general insurance is now second only to payment protection insurance in the volume of complaints received and upheld by the Financial Conduct Authority is, on the face of it, a damning criticism of our industry.
C-Suite: Act now to ease age concern
With the average age of insurance employees increasing, it’s vital the industry nurtures the next generation.
C-Suite: Use data to defeat cyber crime
A recently published survey found the insurance industry was, at best, responding to less than 20% of the risks businesses face.
C-Suite: After the storm
The response by insurers in the aftermath of St Jude showed the importance of the industry.
C-Suite: All brokers can benefit from MGAs
How hip can managing general agents be? In UK commercial broking, MGAs have become a must-have accessory, with most of the big brokers bolting on MGAs to their distribution portfolios.
C-Suite: It’s time to get personal
The increasingly connected world presents greater challenges for insurers – they must rise to the task.
Editors comment: Trick or treat?
Aviva has done it this year, as has QBE, while brokers such as Towergate have got in on the act too – but now it seems it’s the trade bodies’ turn to follow suit.
North of the Border: Jury still out on court reform plan
It’s been called a “great project of civil court reform” by Lord Gill, and it is true the draft Court Reform (Scotland) Bill is a significant part of the Scottish government’s programme to overhaul and update Scotland’s justice system.
C-Suite: Crystal clear on cyber crime cover
The industry needs to foster greater understanding and awareness of the very real threat of cyber crime.
The importance of excellence in claims management
Challenged with the impact of doing business in a difficult economic environment, is it any wonder that the term ‘going back to basics’ has become more common place in the board rooms of companies?
Editor's comment: Enough monkeying around
Figures this week show Gibraltarian motor insurers are outperforming their peers in the UK, with only seven UK motor insurers maintaining a combined operating ratio of sub-100%, last year compared with 12 firms in Gibraltar.
View from the Top: A multinational approach to travel
Ace Group's Suresh Krishnan (pictured) discusses how to design an effective multinational business travel risk management programme.