Civil Liabilities Act
Top motor accident solicitor slams ministers on whiplash
Whiplash reforms should be delayed as rushing through a "minimum viable product" will create unacceptable challenges for claimants, lawyers have warned the government.
Top 100 UK Insurers 2019: AM Best Commentary - Insurers well placed to withstand strong headwinds
The 100 largest UK-regulated insurers, ranked by non-life gross premium written, reported a combined underwriting profit in 2018, compared to a loss in 2017. Catherine Thomas, senior director of analytics in London at AM Best, explains how they achieved…
Trade Voice: Gordon Dalyell, Apil
Following insurer outcry as the Ogden discount rate was set at minus 0.25%, Association of Personal Injury Lawyers president Gordon Dalyell underlines that the industry is set to save hundreds of millions, while claimants still face an "unfair" rate.
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…
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?
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…
Blog: Whiplash portal cannot proceed without government decisions
The deadline for the start of the new litigant in person portal is fast approaching. James Dalton, director of general insurance policy at the Association of British Insurers says there are doubts over whether the necessary decisions will be made in time.
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…
Analysis: Industry faces financial blow from discount rate revision
Insurers that have been pricing and reserving using a discount rate of between 0 to 1% may face a short term financial hit, analysts have warned.
‘Bad outcome’ for industry as discount rate revised to -0.25%
The government has set a new discount rate of minus 0.25% - a much lower number than the expected 0%.
Blog: The MIB's litigant in person portal is only fit for sunny days
The Motor Insurer's Bureau might have outlined how it expects the proposed litigant in person portal to work. But Marcus Taylor, director of claims at Minster Law, argues that while this might be fine for 'sunny day' scenarios, there was much detail…
This month: Reputation, climate change and technology
This month’s issue looked at reputational issues the sector is facing and what needs to be done to improve the industry's reputation going forward.
Trade body raises concerns over whiplash portal
Credit hire firms have raised concerns over the latest developments of the forthcoming whiplash portal.
Fee caps for CMCs could lead to 'clear consumer detriment'
The Association of Consumer Support Organisations has urged the Financial Conduct Authority to consider how the market adapts to regulatory change before considering fee caps on claims management companies.
Lawyers slam government for 'cutting corners' on whiplash portal
The Motor Accident Solicitors Society has raised concerns over the development process of the new Litigant in Person Portal.
Motor claims rise calls into doubt impact of whiplash reform
The number of motor claims has risen by 10,000, which lawyers say is a sign there has been little impact from whiplash reforms.
Law firms fear closures and redundancies from Civil Liability Act
More than a third of law firms have already shed staff in the run up to the implementation of the Civil Liability Act, and the majority believe the reforms could decimate the personal injury sector.
Industry body calls for clarity over 'secret' plans for small claims portal
The Association of Consumer Support Organisations has urged the Justice Committee to investigate the establishment of the small claims portal.
Discount rate: Are insurers being too optimistic?
In anticipation of the new discount rate announcement, expected by 5 August 2019, many insurers have already started to price and reserve at 0%
This week: The Godfathers of insurance return
Just when they think they’re out, insurance pulls them back in. This week, two big names from the recent past, Stephen Catlin and Steve McGill, returned to the fold.
ABI tracker shows fall in motor premiums in advance of whiplash reforms
The average cost of motor insurance fell to its lowest level in two years, according to a survey from the Association of British Insurers.
Trade Voice: Foil's James Heath on the Civil Liability Act
The Civil Liability Act was passed in December, changing the way whiplash claims are calculated. As part of the bill, the government also agreed to reform the discount rate, which is currently under review. James Heath, President at Forum of Insurance…