Insurer
Career development: Stress due to poor economic climate takes its toll on Britain’s SMEs
Stress had a noticeable impact on businesses in 2012, according to more than two-fifths (42%) of senior managers from small and medium-sized businesses surveyed for Zurich’s latest quarterly SME Risk Index.
Law report: Mesothelioma victim entitled to full indemnity
This law report was contributed by law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Opinion: A real code breaker
Once largely ignored, the Rehabilitation Code is now a fully established part of the claims process
International: Are you protected?
A pan-European data protection regulation may enhance transparency and accountability, but could inadvertently hamper insurance activities, harming companies and policyholders.
Improving Underwriting: A Smarter approach
Insurers can build a more sophisticated view of risk by embracing geographic intelligence data.
IFB investigation leads to jail time for fraudsters
The insurance industry has demonstrated a “zero tolerance” stance towards fraud produces results, after two fraudsters responsible for handling “thousands” of fictitious or inflated personal injury and credit hire claims were sentenced to jail.
Success of Esure float boils down to accurate pricing in current market
Esure could err on the side of caution when it comes to pricing its stock as it aims to follow Direct Line Group onto the London Stock Exchange, analysts have suggested. The personal lines insurer confirmed plans to float as it revealed its 2011 result.
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.
Editor's comment: Can’t we all just get along?
A mother’s word is often law. Both sides of whatever argument are heard, and then a ruling is made. Brief mutterings may ensue but these are quickly quashed and life goes on, hopefully in a more peaceful manner.
Analysts cast doubt on Co-op’s ability to sell off general insurance business
The Co-operative Bank may struggle to offload its general insurance business as part of a bid to make up a capital shortfall that is expected to result from a market-wide investigation of banks by the Financial Services Authority.
Digital Insurance Strategies: Mobile strategy vital as smartphone use increases
Google finance industry head Jo Hind has insisted that firms’ social media strategies must be handled at board level to ensure they becomes part of the corporate culture.
Digital Insurance Strategies: Online insurance fails to take off for SMEs as customers are ‘not quite ready’
Take-up of online insurance remains stunted among small and medium-sized enterprises, according to a panel of speakers at Post’s Digital Insurance Strategies conference.
Penny Black's insurance week
It appears reports of the death of romance may have been overstated – that is, if the take-up of Arag’s divorce cover is anything to go by.
Website review: Poor speeds leave users Confused
Confused’s travel insurance website was found wanting after Compuware tested its landing page between 19 January and 21 February using its Gomez performance benchmark.
Digital Insurance Strategies: Digital strategies are a must, not an option
Insurer boards should consider “what they are going to do” in terms of developing their digital strategies, rather than “whether they should do it”.
View from the Top: Because we’re worth it
Forget the naysayers, brokers play a crucial role in the relationship between insurers and policyholders, says David Ross.
View from The Top: We’re poised to resist this horseplay
The horsemeat scandal has thrust the issues surrounding supply chains back into the spotlight.
View from the Top: There may be trouble ahead
A catalogue of natural disasters in recent times have been pushing our industry’s bottle to the brink, says Peter Hubbard.
Market Moves: Ex-pro footballer among notable new recruits in busy week across industry
The past week produced an even recruitment spread across the industry, with the usual flurry of hires within the broking sector headed by two regional appointments at Bluefin. These were complemented by additions at firms representing the loss adjusting,…
FSCS: Off the hook
Changes to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme ahead of the introduction of twin peak regulation have angered brokers, but should insurers be held more accountable?
Penny speed meets... Martin Shaw, chief executive, AFM
Being an insatiable socialite, Penny Black is always eager to probe the personalities behind the professional veneer of her industry friends. What better way to squeeze in and share as many intimate revelations as possible than her very own 'speed…
Improving Underwriting: Adding some colour
Larger amounts of more detailed data are available to insurers but can they create a balance between profitability and fair rates?
High Net Worth: Rich Pickings
With an increase in providers of high net worth insurance in recent years, wealthy customers have plenty to choose from. What can firms do to stand out from the crowd?
Dual International deputy CEO takes UK helm in leadership reshuffle
Hyperion’s underwriting arm Dual has moved to restructure its leadership, creating a new role of UK chief executive for international deputy CEO Shane Doyle.