Post - 2011-12-15
Articles in this issue
Technology - Natural language processing: Getting to know you
The data gained from knowing your customers can be invaluable, improving sales, services and customer retention. But how can unstructured data be analysed?
Interview - Edward Fitzmaurice: Broking promises
With Hastings Direct on the cusp of becoming a top five broker and securing its one millionth customer, 2012 could be a landmark year for chief executive Edward Fitzmaurice
Review of the year - General insurance: Regulatory dramas
2011, a year dominated by regulatory and legislative change, could yet prove to be a landmark 12 months for the insurance industry.
Fleet risk management: Risk on the roads
With government statistics showing a 7% annual increase in road accident fatalities during Spring 2011, should brokers be working harder on fleet risk management?
Loss adjusting - Desktopping claims: Alternative methods
Loss adjusters have been criticised for desktopping claims and contributing to the deskilling of the industry but can this practice be made to work?
News analysis: Application fraud to top the agenda for motor insurers in 2012
The New Year’s resolution for many motor insurers is to tackle application fraud with the same force they have brought to bear on crash-for-cash fraudsters. “Staged motor accidents remain the top priority, but application fraud comes second,” according…
View from the top: My showbiz life
It’s all go when you’re in demand, so Christmas is the perfect time of year to paws for thought and to reflect on the events of the past year.
PSTF: New generation of females in IT would benefit insurance industry
Industry leaders were told they stand to “reap the long-term benefits” of encouraging a new generation of females to take up an interest in the IT profession. Julie Feest, customer director at E-skills UK, explained to delegates from a range of major…
Penny speed meets... Lynn Rouse, editor, Post
Being an insatiable socialite, Penny Black is always eager to probe the personalities behind the professional veneer of her industry friends. In her ‘speed meeting’ column — and for a bit of festive fun — this week Penny probes her Post pal, Lynn Rouse.
Market moves: Ageas and Axa name new MDs
With insurance companies gearing up for the festive holidays, it was a surprisingly busy week in recruitment.
Ask the expert
Do you have any feel for what recruitment trends are likely to arise in 2012 within the insurance industry?
LV GI boss O’Roarke and management team extend contract until 2016 with new deals
LV general insurance managing director John O’Roarke, is targeting an increase in SME and home insurance business having put pen to paper on a new four-year deal at the firm.
Hardy sale: Canopius, Barbican and Aviva linked
As rumours circulate about which insurers will make an offer for Hardy Underwriting, sources have suggested Canopius, Barbican and Aviva could all be interested in the firm.
Data collator to compile flood information after UK insurer requests
European insurer-backed catastrophe data collator Perils is to start compiling information on floods from January next year in response to demands from UK insurers.
Lord Sheikh: Iqra Ethical gearing up for new year launch
Lord Mohamed Sheikh has vowed to launch Takaful insurance business Iqra Ethical in the new year — more than two years after it was registered at Companies House.
PSTF: Post’s STF last week debated customer engagement and future recruitment
Insurers have been urged to use emerging technologies to change the way they interact with customers, by exploiting the growth in social and telematics data. According to an expert analyst, this will forge a “win win” relationship with consumers who…
PSTF: Positive feedback can be harnessed via social media
Harnessing positive policyholder feedback with emerging technologies has been highlighted as an important step towards countering consumer criticism via social media sites, while simultaneously enhancing the brand image of insurers.
New Giles CEO McManus vows to improve operational focus and retention
Incoming Giles chief executive Brendan McManus has vowed to use his experience of running an underwriting operation alongside a broker business to maximise distribution at his new firm.
Swinton contacts FSA after sacking executive board
An internal document circulated among Swinton employees has stated that the broker needs “to establish the true level of profits” at the firm in the aftermath of the sacking of its executive board.
UK insurers wait on developments following PM Cameron EU Treaty veto
Standard and Poor’s downgrade warning on 15 insurers should have been “no surprise” but the market is still in the same position it was a week ago given the lack of “concrete activity” at the weekend, according to an industry analyst.
Insurers to continue payouts for pleural plaques
Insurers remain committed to paying out on pleural plaques cases in Scotland and Northern Ireland, despite claims that the Damages Acts in both countries are “fundamentally flawed”.
Editor's comment: The winds of change
And so we end 2011 in a similar vein to December 2010, with loss adjusters doubling staff numbers, ramping up resources and putting into play their surge plans as severe weather conditions batter the UK.
Your say: Over audits
I read with interest the article regarding claims audits - Forensic claims analyst issues warning as insurers fail to focus on audits.
Your say: Environmental lobby stance
I read the article on fire protection sprinklers, The market needs saturating with interest, and agree with Andrew Miller that the environmental issues could be used as an extremely effective argument in the UK to lobby government.
Penny Black’s insurance week
Penny was in her element when she attended the four-year anniversary of Ecclesiastical’s art and heritage team.
Post magazine – 15 December 2011
The latest issue of Post magazine is now available to subscribers as a digital and interactive e-book.