Post - 2011-07-14
Articles in this issue
Post Magazine – 14 July 2011
The latest issue of Post Magazine is now available to subscribers as a digital and interactive e-book.
Post history - 20 years ago: Allied Dunbar to cover new age cures
Looking back through Post's back catalogue paints a unique picture of more than 150 years of insurance news, as this article from 20 years ago reveals.
Credit hire - Common structure: Under the bonnet of credit hire costs
Melanie Mooney looks at suspect commercial arrangements between credit hire firms and repairing garages and considers what the industry can do to fight the practice.
Lack of funds to spark Solvency II M&As
The cost of implementing Solvency II could lead to a spike in mergers and acquisitions, after a survey on how prepared the insurance industry is for the directive revealed only 31% of respondents claimed to have set aside sufficient funds.
Supercover seeks partners after income quadruples
Niche intermediary Supercover Insurance is seeking new distribution partners after increasing its income four-fold in 18 months.
Davies Group set to sell for more than £60m
Davies Group is expected to be sold for a bid of more than £60m, after its majority shareholder embarked on an auction process.
RDT aiming to go global
Insurance technology specialist RDT is targeting global expansion after winning a contract to supply software to South Australian general insurer and motoring organisation Royal Automobile Association.
Surveyors highlight dramatic rise in rebuilding costs
House rebuilding costs have "risen sharply" in the second quarter of 2011 following a prolonged period of decreases, according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
EIS French broker links sealed CBL aquisition
The multi-million dollar acquisition of London-based underwriting agency European Insurance Services was part of a strategic purchase by credit insurer CBL Group to gain access to a network of almost 500 French brokers.
Penny Black's insurance week
As if the big brokers don't have enough on their plate contending with regulators breathing down their necks, Aon and Willis now have to ward off Decepticons too.
Commercial insurance reform back on agenda
The Law Commission has turned its attention to reforming commercial insurance pre-contract law after confirming a second consultation paper will be published this winter.
L&G and Merlin set to review partnership deal
A claims partnership between Legal & General and Merlin that was heralded as a benchmark for others is set for review as the deal runs into its third year.
Cardiff office to stay despite Zurich job cuts
Zurich has vowed to maintain a presence in Cardiff despite plans to make sweeping redundancies as part of its return to the direct insurance market.
Post history - 30 years ago: Toxteth riots leave insurers with big bill
Looking through Post's back catalogue paints a unique picture of more than 150 years of insurance news, as this article from 30 years ago reveals.
Guest comment - Referral fees: Take off the blinkers
The banning of referral fees should just be the beginning of a wider overhaul of the civil litigation system, argues Groupama managing director Laurent Matras.
Blow for Buckley Scott as trio quits for rival firms
Manchester-based loss adjuster Buckley Scott has lost two directors and a manager to rival firms.
Gimple's back with new risk management venture
Tony Gimple has returned to the market with a new venture, while his pre- vious failed business Crisis Survivor is expected to be sold imminently.
Axa to reward broker professionalism
Axa Commercial Lines has launched a proposition targeting chartered brokers that aims to drive professionalism in the insurance industry.
Career development & CSR: Huge appetite for Allianz internships
Allianz Insurance has received more than four times the amount of applicants for its summer internship scheme compared to last year.
Plantec signs up Taylor
Axa Commercial Lines' former head of strategic programmes has resurfaced at claims management specialist Plantec Holdings.
Interview - Tom Woolgrove & Steve Maddock: Delivering the hard numbers
RBSI's Tom Woolgrove and Steve Maddock are faced with the daunting task of turning the business around ready for a flotation or sale, and they are already seeing some encouraging results, reports Lynn Rouse.
Post history - Five years ago: Ditch lawyers to get more compensation
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.
View from the Top: Masters of our destiny
Henry Ford once said: "Whether you think you can, or whether you think you can't, you're right." Insurers can learn from this simple nod to the power of the self-fulfilling prophecy.
Insurers fear £9m fraud unit will prompt further cash calls
Figures within the insurance industry have expressed fears that it will be called on to foot the bill for more policing after agreeing to invest £9m over three years in an insurer-funded police fraud unit.
Referral fees: End of the affair?
Despite recent calls for a ban on referral fees, the government must weigh up the wider considerations and consequences of its actions, explains Leigh Jackson.
Career development & CSR: IUA course aims to tackle demand for actuarial skills
A new training course that offers insurers an introduction to actuarial techniques has been accredited by the Chartered Insurance Institute.
Employment law: Tribunals and tribulations?
The increasing number of employment tribunals presents an opportunity for brokers able to offer advice and legal expenses insurance, writes Kevin Pallett.
Jump targets GI expansion for 2012
Financial adviser Jump Money is planning to expand its general insurance business by setting up an insurer panel early next year.
Chile quake drives adjuster expansion
Brighton-based claims specialist Fitzgerald Consulting has set up its first international branch in Chile.
Editor's comment: The force is with you
No sooner had the details of the dedicated insurance fraud police unit been revealed this week, than the first fearful voices started to emerge, concerned that this initial £9m bill will be just the tip of the iceberg.
Postbox: Bursting for improvement
I have read with interest recently articles in insurance trade publications regarding the continuing cost of winter claims to the sector. According to their authors, the burst pipe claims 'event' at the end of 2010 and into 2011 will have a far greater…
Commercial property - Business interruption: Dealing with disruption
Deficiencies in business interruption policies have long been a source of debate, but what can be done to improve them, asks Veronica Cowan.
GNL moves to create Takaful and Re-Takaful panel
New Shariah-compliant insurance broker GNL is planning to create a panel of insurers and reinsurers to work on Takaful and Re-Takaful commercial risk solutions.
People moves – 14 July
A round-up of people moves and new appointments in the industry, as featured in the 14 July 2011 edition of Post.