Ministry of Justice (MoJ)
No certainty for insurance industry as UK and EU reach Brexit withdrawal agreement
The withdrawal deal between the UK and EU does not provide certainty for the insurance industry, the British Insurance Brokers’ Association has warned.
Government to introduce improved building safety standards
Insurers have welcomed the government’s commitment to improving building safety standards.
This month: Celebrations, climate change and culture
In this month’s issue Post published the annual top 100 Insurers, a list of the UK's biggest insurers ranked by non-life gross premium written in 2018, in association with AM Best.
Government extends Medco for small RTA claims
The industry has welcomed the government’s response to a consultation into the future provision of medical reports.
Analysis: Should the government revise the deadline for the whiplash portal?
The small claims portal is due to enter its testing phase in October, before officially launching in April 2020. However, many in the industry are concerned that the proposed deadline is not feasible, given the lack of clarity from the government
Editor's comment: Is it safe to cross the personal injury line?
Historians argue over the origin of the word deadline but several online etymology dictionaries claim the term might have been influenced by use of the word in 1864 to mean the “do-not-cross line” in Civil War prisons in the US.
Insurers throw support behind calls to ban use of hands free devices while driving
Insurers have welcomed a Parliamentary report calling for tougher restrictions on using hands free mobile devices while driving.
Industry body calls on government to protect vulnerable road users
The Association of Consumer Support Organisations has called on the government to match the Financial Conduct Authority in its approach to all types of vulnerable road user.
Analysis: Discount rate decision casts a shadow over personal injury settlements
The personal injury discount rate will be set at minus 0.25% from 5 August providing certainty for insurers and claimants alike, but uncertainty created by the Ministry of Justice review behind the new rate could have left claimants – as well as insurers…
IPT becoming government's 'golden goose' as income hits record high
Government income from insurance premium tax hit a record high of £6.3bn in 2018/19, up 7% from £5.8bn collected the previous year, according to an accountancy firm.
Insurers attack 'misleading and wholly disingenuous' discount rate impact assessment
The impact assessment issued to parliament in relation to Lord Chancellor David Gauke’s decision to set the discount rate at minus 0.25% has been called “misleading and wholly disingenuous” by Huw Evans, director general of the Association of British…
Young driver curfew plans 'could have deadly consequences'
Introducing graduated licensing for young drivers could have unintended adverse effects, warns Mike Brockman, CEO and founder of ThingCo.
‘Bad outcome’ for industry as discount rate revised to -0.25%
The government has set a new discount rate of minus 0.25% - a much lower number than the expected 0%.
Blog: The MIB's litigant in person portal is only fit for sunny days
The Motor Insurer's Bureau might have outlined how it expects the proposed litigant in person portal to work. But Marcus Taylor, director of claims at Minster Law, argues that while this might be fine for 'sunny day' scenarios, there was much detail…
Analysis: Is the IPT review another disappointment?
The government has promised to review the application of the Insurance Premium Tax. But does the planned review go far enough?
Interview: Dominic Clayden, Motor Insurers’ Bureau
The newly appointed CEO of the Motor Insurers’ Bureau discusses modernisation, Brexit, whiplash portals, and Lewis v Tindale with Martin Croucher
Trade body raises concerns over whiplash portal
Credit hire firms have raised concerns over the latest developments of the forthcoming whiplash portal.
Lawyers slam government for 'cutting corners' on whiplash portal
The Motor Accident Solicitors Society has raised concerns over the development process of the new Litigant in Person Portal.
Blog: MoJ fixed costs consultation is whack-a-mole for policymakers
The government’s plan for fixed recoverable costs to be applied to most civil cases - including personaI injury - might fix some problem areas in claims. Minster Law's legal services director Rachel Di Clemente asks if it will create more.
Lawyers issue warning over fixed recoverable costs proposals
Extending Fixed Recoverable Costs could lead to claimants playing the system, lawyers warn.
Discount rate: Are insurers being too optimistic?
In anticipation of the new discount rate announcement, expected by 5 August 2019, many insurers have already started to price and reserve at 0%
Trade Voice: Foil's James Heath on the Civil Liability Act
The Civil Liability Act was passed in December, changing the way whiplash claims are calculated. As part of the bill, the government also agreed to reform the discount rate, which is currently under review. James Heath, President at Forum of Insurance…
Ministry of Justice launches consultation into the future provision of medical reports
The government has launched a consultation on a revised medical reporting process for road traffic accident claims.
Analysis: Are the barriers too high for CMCs?
Claims management companies come under the regulation of the Financial Conduct Authority today, but do the high barriers for entry threaten to create unintended consequences?