Regulation
Zurich receives dressing down on small business payment practices
For the second time in less than two months an insurer has come under fire from the Small Business Commissioner, after the SBC looked into a vehicle repair specialist’s complaint and made recommendations to Zurich to improve its payment practices for…
Gefion faces further recapitalisation delays
Danish insurer Gefion has further pushed back its expected timeline for a capital injection in the business, following an order by the regulator that it cannot expand into further territories until it bulks up its coffers.
Government consults on compulsory sprinklers for shorter high-rises
The government has proposed reducing the building height over which the installation of sprinklers are mandatory from 30 metres to 18 metres.
This month: A long road ahead
It’s been a topsy-turvy month in Parliament and this week a bill was passed by MPs aiming to block a no-deal exit from the European Union. But as the UK continues to face uncertainties over Brexit, across the pond this month we saw scenes of destruction…
FCA delays publication of dual pricing market study report until October
The publication of the hotly-anticipated interim report on the Financial Conduct Authority’s market study of general insurance pricing practices that was expected this summer has been delayed until October.
FCA raises alarm over two unauthorised firms using social media
The Financial Conduct Authority has alerted consumers to two unauthorised insurance firms offering car insurance in the UK.
Analysis: Should the government revise the deadline for the whiplash portal?
The small claims portal is due to enter its testing phase in October, before officially launching in April 2020. However, many in the industry are concerned that the proposed deadline is not feasible, given the lack of clarity from the government
Interview: Huw Evans, ABI director general
The industry faces heavy scrutiny from regulators and the government over pricing practices and personal injury reform, all while reeling from the prospect of a looming Brexit. Huw Evans, Association of British Insurers director general, spoke to Jen…
Top 30 European Insurers 2019: Insurers see 4.4% growth
Gross written premium reported by the 30 largest European insurers in 2018 was 4.4% higher than the aggregated figure for the previous year but those writing significant business outside of the eurozone have seen foreign exchange rate movements having an…
Insurers call for ‘tough compromises’ to ensure claims portal meets targets
The government needs to make “tough compromises” to ensure the claims portal meets the target launch date of April next year, insurers have warned.
Analysis: Should the FCA impose fee caps on CMCs?
The Financial Conduct Authority is working to limit charges for claims management companies’ services, but will new regulation actually be a double-edged sword for consumers?
Blog: Silent cyber - the challenges facing the insurance industry
Following a line of cyber-related regulatory developments, Lloyd's has announced it is mandating that “all non-affirmative policies provide clarity regarding cyber coverage by either excluding or providing affirmative coverage". But according to Barnaby…
FCA cracks down on misleading CMC ads
Claims management companies must raise their advertising standards to ensure they do not mislead customers, the Financial Conduct Authority has said.
Deal struck to exempt Irish drivers in the UK from green cards after no-deal Brexit
Irish vehicles will not require green cards to drive in the UK in the event of a no-deal Brexit, following a deal struck between the Motor Insurance Bureau of Ireland the British Department for Transport.
Insurers throw support behind calls to ban use of hands free devices while driving
Insurers have welcomed a Parliamentary report calling for tougher restrictions on using hands free mobile devices while driving.
Industry body calls on government to protect vulnerable road users
The Association of Consumer Support Organisations has called on the government to match the Financial Conduct Authority in its approach to all types of vulnerable road user.
The NED Blog: The importance of the audit committee
Challenging the executive management team in terms of the decisions they make is a key responsibility of being a non-executive director. Michael Gaughan explains that one of the aspects of the role is to sit on various Board Committees to look at…
This month in Post: Insurtechs, results and discount rate
London seems strangely quiet in the summer, most people are away on holiday, and out of office replies are basically a given.
Interview: Sara Mitchell, Chubb
Sara Mitchell has recently taken on the role of divisional president for the UK and Ireland retail business at Chubb. She talked to Stephanie Denton about her faith in the UK market, the importance of understanding the risks insurers are writing and not…
ABI mulls legal action against government over discount rate
Exclusive: The Association of British Insurers is considering legal action against the government, after the Ogden discount rate was set at -0.25%.
Analysis: Discount rate decision casts a shadow over personal injury settlements
The personal injury discount rate will be set at minus 0.25% from 5 August providing certainty for insurers and claimants alike, but uncertainty created by the Ministry of Justice review behind the new rate could have left claimants – as well as insurers…
FCA sounds alarm over Instagram brokers
The Financial Conduct Authority has issued a warning over two brokers operating without a license via Instagram.
This week: No hiding place
As we start the month of August, many of us are planning to jet off abroad for a well-deserved break. And for those who do, very few would dream of placing a false sickness claim in order to receive a pay-out that would inevitably land them in jail.
Trade voice: Paul Nicholls, Mass chair
With the motor claims landscape set to change following the Civil Liability Act, Motor Accident Solicitors Society chair Paul Nicholls airs his concerns over anticipated delays in the progress of the Litigants in Person portal and how a premature launch…