Post - 2011-11-17
Articles in this issue
Data usage: Made to measure
Can insurers rise to the challenge of utilising multiple real-time data sources to maximise sales while minimising exposure?
Legal expenses: Survival of the fittest
Legal expenses insurers must adapt their models quickly to survive the government’s reforms — or risk extinction.
Claims - Board representation: Staking a claim
Claims representation at insurer board level may remain a relative rarity — but is it a business critical necessity or a luxury?
Your say: Unpalatable truth
The article by Amy Ellis concerning so called ‘referral fees’ paid by contractors’ networks takes up a subject that has been central to the concerns of some in the loss adjusting profession for many years
Website review: Beat That Quote
Web performance specialist Gomez looks at Beat That Quote's website.
View from the top: An apple a day
‘We made the buttons on the screen look so good you’ll want to lick them,’ was something Apple founder Steve Jobs once said to a journalist eager to unpick the secrets that underpinned the firm’s meteoric rise to become one of the biggest companies in…
Comment: Understanding the risks
From December 2012, insurance premiums can no longer be based on gender and, as documented in Amy Ellis’ article, a ban on the age proxy looks likely to follow suit. It is not, therefore, inconceivable that a ban on the use of many more insurance proxies…
Fraud: On the side of the angels
When investigating claims fraud, insurers must not overstep the mark and remain transparent, empathic and ethical.
Roundtable - Global programme: Building successful global programmes
Delivering tailored coverage around the world is a boon for multinational insurers. However, keeping up with regulatory demands, both internationally and locally, can be be a strain. Post gathered a group of experts to debate the most pressing issues.
Market moves: Setting the trend
Insurer MMA was the main recruiter this week, with the firm naming five new staff across its regional office network. The moves set the trend among fellow underwriters, with high-profile appointments at Groupama, DAS and for Markel’s fledging operation…
Career development: Ask the expert
Have the traditional push and pull factors, which influence people to move jobs, changed post-recession?
My best 11 Simon Cooter, Brit Insurance
Brit Insurance’s director of market management and regional operations selects his Best XI for an insurance start-up, relying heavily on his colleagues, as well as celebrity businessmen and sporting superstars.
News analysis: Admiral’s claims woes worsen as quarter three results revealed
Admiral’s market followers suffered a painful dose of déjà vu last week when the motor insurer’s quarter three results underscored its rising exposure to large bodily injury claims, and it warned full year pre-tax profits would be lower than expected.
Targeting young drivers pushes more insurers to switch to telematics
Co-operative Insurance is “on track” to have 10 000 customers signed up to its young driver telematics product, as Direct Line announces it too is targeting a pilot at this demographic.
Tottenham MP blasts insurer response to riots
Zurich has been forced to defend its alleged “woeful” response to the riots as small businesses fail to “fully understand” how to claim government funding.
PSTF: Data protection telematics worries
Regulators must make a decision, stating where they stand on who owns the data produced as a result of telematics devices. Speaking at Post’s Strategic Technology Forum, Phil Ford, consulting director at Metaskil, warned that regulators need to consider…
PSTF: Customer experience: the new battleground
Providing a compelling customer experience will be the critical basis of competition for insurers in 2012 and the foreseeable future. This was the main message from Richard Edwards, principal analyst at Ovum, pictured, on managing IT strategy in an ever…
PSTF: ‘Outside-in’ approach needed to crack customer service
Insurers have been urged to adopt an “outside-in” approach to business in a bid to crack the customer service challenge and stand out from competitors – with chief information officers cited as best placed to execute this strategy.
PSTF: Digital channels set to dominate distribution
Insurers must embrace digital channels as the next dominant model for distribution, as the race to secure web-based connections with customers, partners and suppliers gathers momentum.
PSTF: Corporate technology rethink needed
Industry technology systems could become “obsolete” if companies fail to tackle information security fears, while corporate polices on device distribution and responsibility need an urgent rethink, according to expert panelists. The debate at last week’s…
Stonepoint to reduce interests in Cunningham Lindsey and Lockton
Global claims management group Cunningham Lindsey and broker Lockton International are both looking at options that may see private equity giant Stonepoint Capital divest or reduce its interests in the groups, Post understands.
Merlin confirms approaches after refinancing
Loss adjuster Merlin has admitted to receiving “approaches from interested third parties” about acquiring the firm — just 21 months after it was refinanced by banks.
RSA’s Brown promotes European focus as opportunity for UK brokers
RSA boss Adrian Brown has reassured UK brokers that the firm’s recent restructure of its executive team will have no negative impact on domestic commitments.
Former broker boss launches new network
A former provincial broker is hoping to attract thousands of independent intermediaries to his newly launched network, after claiming the traditional model has reached “saturation point”.
Editor's comment: Coming back to bite
Confident words have a nasty habit of coming back to haunt you – as Admiral’s CEO Henry Engelhardt discovered to his cost this week. From stockmarket darling to deep disappointer inside nine months, the motor-focused UK insurer has certainly suffered a…
Penny Black’s insurance week
Although more accustomed to fine dining and a spot of opera, Penny accepted an invitation from Towergate’s Marc DonFrancesco for a slap-up steak, washed down with some rock ‘n’ roll.
Post magazine – 17 November 2011
The latest issue of Post magazine is now available to subscribers as a digital and interactive e-book.