Post - 2011-02-10
Articles in this issue
Schemes - Conception & construction: Special delivery
Setting up schemes to cover specialist sectors can be a lucrative business - but it requires brokers, insurers and customers to work together. Stephanie Denton looks at this evolving market.
US insurers 'irritated' by equivalency scheme
Some US-based insurers find plans to align more closely with their European counterparts under the Solvency II equivalency scheme 'irritating'.
Zurich seeks to reduce fleet claims through deal
Global driver-safety firm Greenroad has signed a deal with Zurich fleet client Iron Mountain to roll out its service across the UK.
Interview - Marshall King: RFIB plans for the future
Softly spoken Marshall King has a track record worth shouting about. Lynn Rouse finds out about his plans to make sure everybody hears about broker RFIB.
Post history - 30 years ago: IIA chairman renews stability call
Looking through Post's back catalogue paints a unique picture of mroe than 150 years of insurance news, as this highlight from 30 years ago reveals.
Towergate cancels foreign travel plans
A high level of interest from bond investors in London and Edinburgh saw Towergate management cancel travel plans to meet potential investors in Europe and the US last week, and conclude its refinancing arrangement on UK soil.
Career development & CSR: Cable calls for increased focus on apprenticeship schemes
Business secretary Vince Cable and skills minister John Hayes have urged more employers to drive economic growth by creating a new generation of skilled workers, while underlining the government's commitment to increase the budget for apprenticeships to…
Mobile technology - Brokers: How can technology benefit the way brokers do business
With more advanced smartphones and tablet computers, Rachel Gordon asks if mobile technology is merely the latest passing fad, or the shape of the future for the broking community.
Career development & CSR: More Than take campaign to Manchester
More Than is to take its road and fire children's safety campaign sponsorship to Manchester.
Markel plays down losses from antipodean disasters
Markel International does not expect its future profits to be badly affected by the New Zealand earthquake and recent Queensland flooding, after previous catastrophe events added six points or $33m (£20.5m) to its 2010 full-year combined ratio.
Motor and home claim costs reach £1.4bn after freeze
Total costs for motor and home claims reached £1.4bn between during 24 November to 31 December 2010, as the big freeze swept across the UK, figures released by the Association of British Insurers have revealed.
Postbox: Fines are just one tool for CIE
I note with interest Mike Eve's letter in Post referring to the level of penalty under the Continuous Insurance Enforcement process being "far too low"
Chaucer confirms bid rumours as Terra Firma enters frame
Chaucer has again become the subject of speculation in the market after it was revealed "a number" of potential buyers have made provisional approaches for the firm.
Relaunch of UK's first Takaful insurer hits the skids
The rescue and relaunch of the UK's first Shariah-compliant insurer Salaam Halal has fallen through over disagreements with its prospective backer, Post has learnt.
Claims Club news: ABI rules out centralised flood response body
The Association of British Insurers is poised to reject the concept of having a centralised response to surge events, which could have seen streets allocated a specific loss adjusting firm to moderate claims.
Insurer refuses to accept ABI's 'nightmare' gender ruling guidance
One of the UK's largest specialist female insurers has scoffed at the Association of British Insurers' suggestion that it could potentially have to re-underwrite its whole book following the European Court of Justice's gender verdict due on 1 March.
Post history - five years ago: Pet Plan slams 'pet theft' reports
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.
In series - Georgraphy & Solvency II: A new way of looking
A better understanding and quantification of risk portfolios will be provided by Solvency II. Sam Barrett assesses the benefits and potential pitfalls.
Claims Club news: FOS links lack of speed to training
The Financial Ombudsman has admitted that more works needs to be done to speed up cases to conclusion, once adjudication has been challenged.
Co-op targets 10 000 new pet policies after Allianz deal
The Co-operative Insurance is aiming to sell 10 000 new pet insurance policies, after entering a multi-year deal with underwriter Allianz.
Claims Club news: Extra capacity demands place pressure on loss adjusters
The big freeze over the winter of 2010/2011 is the latest event to raise the issue of how loss adjusters and other service providers find extra capacity to meet insurer and policyholder demands.
RSA property launch boosts SME ambition
RSA is set to launch a new property product next month as part of wider plans to become a top-five player in the SME sector.
Postbox: Policy cancellation not fair on drivers
Mike Eve makes some interesting points regarding uninsured driving and, unfortunately, he is correct that fines for uninsured driving, and most other offences for that matter, are governed by the financial status of the offender.
APPG - 20 years in force: Representation for the industry
With its 20th anniversary just passed, David Worsfold looks at the success of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Insurance & Financial Services, detailing some key highlights from two decades of debate.
Legal update - Successor practice rules: A legal minefield
As law firms acquire work from distressed practices, both they and professional indemnity insurers need to be wary of the rules regarding succession. Craig Jones reports.
Editor's comment: Never mind the setbacks
"There's unlimited supply. And there is no reason why". No, I'm not talking about the overcapacity in the UK motor market, but the opening lines to EMI by the Sex Pistols.
Post Intelligence Benchmarking: How do insurers measure up in the high net worth market
High net worth clients demand a high standard of service, as do their brokers, but which insurers are delivering it? Peter Joy unveils the answer.
Biba calls for intermediary split after shock FSCS hike
Insurance brokers have reacted angrily to Financial Services Compensation Scheme proposals to increase their fees to more than £90m for 2011/2012.
MGA remains upbeat despite slow progress
Affinity Insurance Management, an appointed representative of Affinity Scheme Insurance, has disclosed a £150 867 loss in its first full-year of trading, and warned about its future viability.
Claims Club news: Ombudsman relying on third parties as caseload increases
The Financial Ombudsman Service is making increasing use of outsourcing as it battles to keep up with the volume of cases it has to deal with, especially in the payment protection sector.
Post history - 10 years ago: Intermediary accused of mis-selling
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.
In series - Geogaphy & Solvency II: National geographical risks
With 80% of business data having a geographical element, Sarah Adams looks at the way this insurers can improve their data.
Post history - 50 years ago: Fitter wins £27 000 for limb loss
Looking through Post's back catalogue paints a unique picture of more than 150 yeas of insurance news, as this highlight from 50 years ago reveals.
Penny Black's insurance week
Penny was delighted to be entertained by the lovely ladies at Royal Bank of Scotland Insurance, when she was whisked off to the O2 to see R&B megastar Usher perform a selection of his greatest hits.
Claims Club news: IFB: application fraud 'Achilles heel' warning
Application fraud is "potentially an Achilles heel" for the UK insurance industry.
Ruling opens door for non-FSA approved indemnifiers
Legal expenses insurers have warned that a recent ruling could pave the way for solicitors without Financial Services Authority approval to offer indemnity against defendants' legal costs.
Beazley targets M&A in the wake of Solvency II
Beazley expects to reap "significant benefits" from merger & acquisition opportunities presented by Solvency II, if the new rules prove difficult to implement for some insurers.
Mapfre plans global roll out of Insure & Go model
Spanish insurer Mapfre has revealed that it is set for a global roll out of its direct-to-consumer travel products, following its acquisition of Insure & Go.
Hastings first to pilot replacement scheme
Hastings is the first insurer to pilot lifestyle management and concierge company Red Onyx's new replacement vehicle scheme for total loss claims.
Claims Club news: Industry to take active role in the PAS 64 review
The Association of British insurers is to take an active role in the recently announced review of the standard for repairing flooded property — PAS 64 — after it was highlighted as an action point by one of the trade body's working parties.
Post Magazine – 10 February 2011
The latest issue of Post magazine is now available to subscribers as a digital and interactive e-book.