Post - 2010-11-04
Articles in this issue
Post Magazine – 4 November 2010
The latest issue of Post magazine is now available to subscribers as a digital and interactive e-book.
Technology - Catastrophe claims: Reaching high expectations
Although insurers cannot consider catastrophe events routine, by using the latest technology they can make proactive claims management a reality, argues Laura Drabik.
Coverholders - Client money: Keeping it separate
Proper segregation of client money is a burning issue at the Financial Services Authority. Ben Hobby looks at what coverholders and their underwriters can do to make sure a clients' money is held correctly.
Career development & CSR news: Lloyd's pledges brighter London futures
Lloyd's has installed an eight-foot high signpost in its underwriting room to advertise its new three-year partnership with local charities Bromley by Bow Centre and the Prince's Trust.
Insure & Go warned of £6.73m VAT bill weeks before Mapfre swoop
Travel insurance intermediary Insure & Go warned it would have to raise additional capital if it lost an appeal against the HMRC weeks before it was acquired by its underwriting partner Mapfre Assistance, Post has learnt.
Equinox reveals plans to go global
Start-up trade credit managing general agent Equinox Global has outlined plans to move into Europe, Asia and the US, following its official launch this week.
Postbox: New school
Further to Penny Black's observations on my career change, it is interesting to compare the two environments, old and new — one lively and dynamic, full of people striving to reach their potential, the other distinctly less so. Can you guess which is…
Law report: Hospice compensation casecould open claim floodgates
This law report has been contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
In series - Property claims: Tracking the changes
Rigorous pricing research can eliminate the risk of overpaying or underpaying property loss claims. Scott Beatty details how data analytic developments are helping insurers to verify rates.
Technology - Now & then: Do you remember the first time?
Technology is a way of life today, with insurance policies underwritten, sold and paid for in the blink of an eye, but not that long ago it was a whole new world for the industry. <BODY><p>Post</p></BODY>, therefore, asked some of the major insurance…
View from the top: Bringing back confidence
"Confidence, the massive importance of confidence. Once that's gone and nobody wants to trade with you, there's no way back," observed Tony Lomas a partner at Pricewaterhouse Coopers, and a Lehman Brothers administrator, at the height of the financial…
Wildnet launches Solvency II compliancy tool
Wildnet's new coverholder product aims to help Lloyd's businesses become compliant in the run-up to Solvency II.
Career development & CSR news: Home Let activity initiative
Home Let is trialling an initiative that allows employees to take one day's paid leave per annum to undertake community activities and projects in support of the Prince's Trust.
Law report: Willis case unlikely to lead to a relaxation of the rules
This law report has been contributed by national low firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Allianz to revisit Newcastle office plans with Archibald hire
Allianz Commercial is set to open up in Newcastle, after similar plans in 2007 failed to materialise.
Interview - Ian Foy: Return journey
After an antipodean adventure lasting 10 years, Insurance Australia Group's Ian Foy is back in Britain as UK CEO. He tells Jonathan Swift about the challenges he faces to turnaround the business and why IAG is here to stay.
Barbon secures first broking acquisition since rebrand
Barbon Insurance Group has bagged its first acquisition in the broker market after acquiring a Devon-based lettings specialist.
Postscript - 30 years ago: Broking redundancies highly likely
Looking through Post's back catalogue paints a unique picture of more than 150 years of insurance news, as this highlight from 30 years ago reveals.
Deloitte: motor loss could be worse than 2009
The motor insurance market is at a "turning point" according to Deloitte, which has predicted that the sector will make losses of £1bn in 2010.
Career development: Business still looks bad in the insurance industry
A new report by the Chartered Management Institute has revealed that managers in the insurance sector fear a bleak and uncertain future. As the downturn continues to cast its shadow, optimism has collapsed and managers are questioning whether the…
Postscript - 10 years ago: MIIC starts phase two of database
Looking through Post's back catalogue paints a unique picture of more than 150 years of insurance news, as this highlight from 10 years ago reveals.
Career development & CSR news: Financial services firms urged to claim fresh apprenticeship funding
Financial services employers have been urged to come forward and stake a claim for the new apprenticeship funding.
Besso's Gladstone launch is timed for new wave
Intermediary Besso has revealed it timed the launch of its managing general agent to coincide with a new wave of MGAs in the London market.
Nicholson avoids contempt of court charge
A senior Aon broker accused of breaking terms of his gardening leave has avoided facing contempt of court charges.
MIB mulls appeal followingoverseas motor injury ruling
The Motor Insurers' Bureau is facing a surge in personal injury claims, following a landmark appeal court ruling last week.
Research claims aggregators and brokers must up fraud fight
Nearly 80% of insurance fraud investigators believe aggregators and brokers must take more active responsibility for preventing fraud, with the majority calling for more stringent checks at policy inception.
Am Trust pulls deal after six weeks
Am Trust has withdrawn from a deal to provide capacity to UK General for a social housing insurance scheme just six weeks after it was signed.
Comment - Competition commission: Devising the solution
The Competition Commission has delivered its final verdict on the UK payment protection insurance market. Martin Jenns reports on the result, what this means for the sector and how it can move forward.
ECJ ruling delivers blowover outsourcing VAT costs
VAT experts have predicted insurance companies could be liable for increased costs, after being dealt a blow by the European Court of Justice.
McMillan: 'hard yards' in terms of savings already done
Aviva UK general insurance chief executive David McMillan has insisted the group's proposed £200m worth of new spending cuts will not amount to a "big headcount" reduction for his division.
Postscript - five years ago: MPs warned over claims farmers
Looking through Post's back catalogue paints a unique picture of more than 150 years of insurance news, as this highlight from five years ago reveals.
Law report - Commentary: The thorny issue of exaggeration vs over-estimation
The key issue here is whether the claimant has made a genuine over-estimation or exaggeration. If exaggeration is proved, then there can be substantial costs issues for the claimant to face.
Claims - Private equity backing: Unlocking private equity
Private equity is not just the preserve of the insurer and broking sectors. Daniel Dunkley looks at how the claims sector has seen a fair share of PE investment, asks why this is the case and what it means for the firms involved.
Environmental liability - Toxic sludge: No fudge over sludge
The recent high profile toxic sludge incident in Hungary has been described as a 'tragedy' by the country's government. Ralph Savage reports how experts from the rural insurance and legal communities and further afield are assessing the situation.
Postscript - 50 years ago: FPA gives advice on fire safety
Looking through Post's back catalogue paints a unique picture of more than 150 years of insurance news, as this highlight from 50 years ago reveals.
BP Marsh seeks to expand broking portfolio with loan
Venture capital firm BP Marsh is poised to grow its insurance interests, after agreeing a £4.3m loan with its directors.
Repair Choice aims to reduce costs
Repair Choice has vowed to save insurers "substantial" time and cost on claims fulfilment, following the launch of its end-to-end vehicle repair service.
Lloyd's - Communication: London's calling
Once a necessity at Lloyd's, the job of the caller has slowly been replaced by technology. Bob Dee takes us through the history of this fascinating role.
Unite to challenge Supreme Court mesothelioma ruling
Union Unite has confirmed its intention to challenge an earlier appeal court ruling for asbestos victims in the Supreme Court.
Postbox: Adjusting from a different angle
Following on from Tina Whelan's letter in Post, I too was unsurprised at the outcome of the Insurance 360 loss adjuster survey and I am delighted that it is fuelling the debate about where adjusters do, and don't, add value.
Editor's comment: Fog clears for Allianz
The news that Allianz is to open its long-delayed office in Newcastle is certainly going to be greeted warmly by North-east brokers.
Tesco Bank non-standard risk panel delayed for now
Tesco Bank has sidelined plans to launch a non-standard risks panel for its motor insurance customers.
Penny Black's insurance week
Penny understands that one managing director of an insurance firm had his moment in the sun last week.
In series - Property claims: Wait less programme
Technology has the ability to deliver improvements and increase efficiency in property claims handling. Sam Barrett reports on some of the advances being made and the benefits they can bring.
Vertafore eyes UK market
US insurance software giant Vertafore is monitoring the UK insurance software market for acquisition opportunities with the blessing of its new private equity backer.
Cogent appointed by AA and Saga brands
AA and Saga Insurance have appointed Cogent Law to provide legal advice as part of a new range of services for personal lines customers.
Markerstudy launches Malta insurer for non-motor risks
Markerstudy has been granted permission by the relevant authorities to launch a new Malta-based insurance company, St Julian's, as part of a push to broaden its risk appetite into more non-motor areas.
Insurers appalled over surgeon’s ‘voluntary erasure’
Health insurers were “astonished” to be given only 24 hours to respond to a Harley Street surgeon’s application for ‘voluntary erasure’ from the medical register — after four years of building a case of evidence regarding improper conduct.