Regulation
FCA warns of action on BI claims deductions
The Financial Conduct Authority has warned insurers making deductions to non-damage business interruption claim payments based on government payouts that it will intervene if firms do not meet its expectations and treat customers fairly.
FCA vulnerability guidance ‘far from enough’ warns former retail GI boss
The Financial Conduct Authority's guidance to help firms understand and assist vulnerable customers may be a start "but is far from enough”, the watchdog's former retail general insurance boss has cautioned.
BI court case judges aiming for draft judgment in mid-September
Lord Justice Flaux has confirmed the middle of September as the target date for a draft judgment in the business interruption court case brought by the Financial Conduct Authority against UK insurers.
ABI seeks to 'tell the full story' on industry’s Covid response: Huw Evans
The industry should not shy away from the business interruption insurance issue but equally it is not “the be all and end all of the Covid crisis”, according to Huw Evans, director general of the Association of British Insurers.
QC accuses FCA of failure to show causal connection between government action and the disturbance to the insured businesses
Insurers argued the Financial Conduct Authority is “unable to demonstrate” any meaningful connection between the action taken by the UK government on a national basis in response to Covid-19 pandemic and the locality of firms’ premises, as the court…
Sun Capital injected £7m into Mulsanne as SCR fell below 100%
The new backers of Mulsanne Insurance Company had to invest £7m into the Gibraltar-based underwriter this April to meet solvency capital requirements.
Insurers’ QC claims FCA is 'forcing a square peg into a round hole' in BI test case
Providers argue regulator’s case doesn’t work because access to premises was not prevented during pandemic as lawyers for Hiscox, Ecclesiastical, MS Amlin, Arch Insurance and Zurich make their submissions.
Trade Voice: Mass chair Paul Nicholls on delivering for claimants during Covid-19 and beyond
Paul Nicholls, chair of the Motor Accident Solicitors Society, addresses the insurance and legal industries’ responses to Covid-19 but warns the pandemic has delayed progress on the numerous issues that need to be tackled ahead of the implementation of…
FSCS appoints three NEDs including former cabinet minister Nicky Morgan
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme has appointed former cabinet minister Baroness Nicky Morgan, former Aviva executive Cathryn Riley, and police and fire services inspector Wendy Williams as non-executive directors.
Hiscox QC accuses FCA of 'tearing up the rule book on causation'
Jonathan Gaisman, QC, branded parts of the Financial Conduct Authority’s arguments as camouflage, a misuse of language and “blurring every divisible thing into one amorphous mass” as he defended Hiscox in the ongoing business interruption test court case.
Updated: RSA QC lambasts ‘clear misuse’ of the word ‘peril’ by action group
Representing RSA, David Turner QC, accused the Hospitality Insurance Group Action of “clear misuse” of the word ‘peril’ on the on the fourth day of the hearing of the Financial Conduct Authority’s Covid-19 business interruption test case.
QC calls on court to treat insurers fairly
Insurers dived into the causation debate during today's proceedings, slamming the Financial Conduct Authority’s approach to the ‘but for’ test as the business interruption case continued in the High Court.
Tansar administration after collapsed sales talks leaves Gefion facing £5.4m shortfall
Unrated Danish insurer Gefion is due to receive just 3% of the £5.5m owed by Tansar Holdings, which has been put into administration.
Hiscox blasted by QC over policy interpretation in FCA BI case
The arguments set out by Hiscox in its defence over non-payment of business interruption arising from Covid-19 are too narrow, unrealistic and uncommercial according to the Hiscox Action Group.
FCA sexual misconduct whistleblowing hotline figures for insurance firms revealed
Exclusive: The Financial Conduct Authority has confirmed there were 21 instances of individuals using its whistleblowing hotline to share information on sexual misconduct at insurance firms over six years.
Action group brands insurers' focus on lack of specific pandemic cover 'a diversionary tactic'
Insurers’ repeated argument that policies were not intended to cover pandemics has been described as “a diversionary tactic” on the third day of the Financial Conduct Authority’s business interruption test case.
FCA register hit by further cloning attempt
The Financial Conduct Authority has warned of a second fake website purporting to be its financial services register in the space of two months.
FCA picks apart insurer reliance on Hurricane Katrina judgment in BI test case
On the second day of the Financial Conduct Authority’s business interruption test case, the regulator’s lawyers argued there are key issues with the Hurricane Katrina Orient Express judgment insurers are expected to lean on during the case.
CMA launches merger inquiry into Ardonagh-Bennetts deal
The Competition and Markets Authority has opened a merger inquiry into the proposed takeover of Bennetts Motorcyling Services by Ardonagh Group.
FCA versus insurers as test case showdown begins
It was today confirmed up to 370,000 policyholders may be affected by the Financial Conduct Authority's High Court case, which aims to decide on the validity of business interruption cover during the coronavirus outbreak.
Biba welcomes FCA consultation on SMCR deadline extension
The consultation by the Financial Conduct Authority on extending the deadline for the implementation of conduct rules is “welcome news”, according to David Sparkes, head of compliance and training at the British Insurance Brokers’ Association.
ABI and Biba tout 'postive impact' of voluntary action on dual pricing
Voluntary initiatives launched in 2018 to address dual pricing are “having a positive impact”, the Association of British Insurers has claimed amid suggestions that the industry needs to go further and do so quickly.
Insurers haul brokers into FCA BI case again
A joint skeleton argument attacks the FCA’s stance that SME customers are not sophisticated insurance buyers because they used brokers and slams Contra Proferentem as “restrictive” and “out of step”.
Restaurants that changed to takeaways under lockdown not 'same insured business' argues FCA
The Financial Conduct Authority has argued that where businesses made changes to their model and customers could not access them as normal, giving the example of a restaurant becoming a takeaway, they are not the "same insured business" and insurers…