Employers' liability (EL)
Leader: Fraud: insurers’ enduring foe
The insurance industry is learning it needs to evolve and adapt to survive and, to be fair, in the past five years it has increased its use of technology, reintroduced telematics and developed apps for mobile devices.
Claims rise adds to fears fraudsters are targeting EL
Employment arena is ‘fertile’ ground for organised fraud
Broking Supplement: A simple plan
Keep the customer satisfied
Hong Kong companies hire private eyes over sick leave
Employment insurance premiums in Hong Kong have increased by around 20% to 30% in the past three years, making companies more wary about sick leave claims.
Allied World enters UK EL market
Swiss-based insurer and reinsurer Allied World has launched itself into the UK employers’ liability market.
Lords’ EL U-turn brings uncertainty and will lead to satellite litigation
Insurers have been warned they may face increased indemnity spend for employers’ liability claims, as legislation passed by the House of Lords last week in the form of the Enterprise & Regulatory Reform Act 2012 will require time-consuming and costly…
Editor's comment: A bit of common sense
Last week, the House of Lords turned back the clock 100 years on employer liabilities for breaches of health and safety duties and passed what has been referred to in its very chambers as an “ugly” part of the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill.
Industry, regulator and government at ‘watershed’ over ERN
The Financial Conduct Authority has confirmed employers' liability insurers and intermediaries have until 1 April 2014 to capture and supply the Employer Reference Number at the point of policy inception of renewal.
Factory building collapse leaves over 100 dead in Bangladesh
The collapse of an eight-storey building in Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka has left 149 people dead and more than 1 000 people injured.
Affinity Partnerships: Finding the perfect fit
To achieve success in the affinity market, insurers must be careful to foster mutually beneficial relationships with the right partners and ensure they select relevant products
Aviva, RSA and Allianz await fallout from Savile abuse allegations
Aviva, RSA and Allianz were the BBC’s primary insurers during the 40 years that alleged sex offender Jimmy Savile worked for the broadcaster, and could face sexual abuse claims of up to £30m.
Employees' compensation: Hong Kong headache
Nicky Burridge finds out why employees' compensation is causing such a big headache for insurers in Hong Kong.
Asbestos: Unclear Future
From differences in compensation eligibility across the UK to legal battles over mesothelioma liability, asbestos-related illnesses are presenting insurers with a range of challenges.
Zurich claims boss champions further RTA fixed cost reductions
Zurich’s casualty claims director believes reduced fixed recoverable costs for the Road Traffic Accident scheme could potentially be halved if a further consultation was to be given the go ahead.
Law report: Mesothelioma victim entitled to full indemnity
This law report was contributed by law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Judical review rejection paves the way for Jackson reforms
The High Court’s rejection of a judicial review into the road traffic accident personal injury fees scheme has cleared the road for the implementation of the remaining civil justice reforms, unless an appeal is lodged.
Garwyn issues key considerations ahead of the EL/PL protocol
Specialist liability adjuster Garwyn Group has issued a guidance list of key considerations for insurers, brokers, self-insured business and public bodies as they prepare for the launch of the PL/EL RTA protocol and portal.
Claims Club: Senior NHS member blames claimant solicitors for hike in negligence cases
Heightened interest from claimant solicitors rather than a decline in standards is behind the significant rise in clinical negligence claims lodged against the National Health Service over the past three years.
Laspo and new MoJ consultation to create litigation funding gap
Claimants without legal expenses insurance will face significant deductions from damages from the introduction of Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act and findings from the Ministry of Justice’s consultation on law firms' cost recoveries…
Europe View From the Top: Risk engineering when growing abroad
Higher costs of living, lower real wages and reduced access to credit has had a direct impact on the profitability of UK companies. This combined with the Eurozone crisis has taken its toll on UK export growth and investment.
View from the Top: Sending a message
Tougher sentencing in insurance fraud cases can act as a deterrent to potential fraudsters, says Ron Smith-Wright.
Insurers and lawyers lock horns over plans to cut recoverable claims costs
The Association of British Insurers has accused claimant lawyers of attempting to derail “crucial” reforms to the electronic personal injury claims portal by launching a judicial review.
Risk costs could be cut by 50% in proposed EL/PL claims regime
Garwyn Group estimates that defendant’s risk costs could be reduced by half under the fixed costs scheme currently outlined.
Claims Portal progress awaits MoJ verdict
Claims Portal Limited said that it is reliant on draft protocols, forms and rules as it prepares the software for the Ministry of Justice's 1 April deadline for the planned extension to the Claims Portal.