Legal
Motor price hikes forcing drivers to withhold info
Sharp rises in motor insurance premiums are prompting more drivers to withhold information, as rising costs make insurance unaffordable for some, the AA has warned.
Legal update - workplace safety: workplace suitability tested
Workplace regulation is tough on floors and traffic routes but less so on transient risks. Sarah Reynolds examines some recent cases.
Eversheds welcomes “common sense” Baker ruling
Law firm Eversheds has backed the Supreme Court ruling overturning the case of Baker v Quantum, hailing the decision as a victory for “common sense”.
Baker ruling brings “much needed clarity”
Law firm Keoghs has hailed the Supreme Court ruling in Baker v Quantum for employer’s liability deafness claims.
Zurich welcomes Baker ruling
Insurer Zurich has backed a Supreme Court judgment overturning the Court of Appeal decision in Baker v Quantum Group Clothing.
Supreme Court allows insurer EL deafness appeals
The Supreme Court has overturned a Court of Appeal judgment making employers liable for noise induced deafness caused by noise above 85 decibels from 1978 onwards.
ABI calls for referral fee ban
The Association of British Insurers has called for a ban on referral fees after AA research revealed that the average cost of motor insurance premiums has risen 40% in the last year.
AA: Young driver insurance premium rises are "unsustainable"
The sharp rises in motor insurance premiums are leading to more drivers withholding information when taking out a policy or exaggerating personal injury claims, the AA has warned.
Insurers fail in pleural plaques bid
Insurers Axa, Aviva, RSA and Zurich have failed in their efforts to overturn Scottish legislation allowing claims to be brought for asbestos-related conditions, such as pleural plaques.
Value of FSA fines trebles to £96.7m
The value of fines handed to businesses by the Financial Services Authority has trebled in one year from £33.1m to £96.7m.
Premex integrates Eclipse software system
Medico-legal services provider Premex has integrated its appointment booking system Vu Direct with software firm Eclipse’s personal injury case management system Proclaim.
Derrick Cole ACII: An obituary
The death is announced of Derrick Cole at the age of 84 after a long career in insurance.
Chartis to hand fraud file to police
Chartis has issued instructions for a file to be handed to police relating to a £200 000 motor insurance fraud case.
Disease claims - occupational voice loss
Occupational voice loss is becoming a growing hazard, partly due to the rise in call centres. Paula Jefferson and Rachel Barbenel examine recent case outcomes and advise on avoiding and defending claims.
News analysis - Jackson: getting the personal injury balance right
Plans to abolish the recovery of success fees and ATE premiums mean the balance between claimants and defendants should be redressed. Andrew Parker analyses the immediate and long-term effects of Ken Clarke's announcement.
Disease claims - HAVS: getting to grips with HAVS
The effect of vibration on the human body has been the subject of debate for more than 100 years, and research is raising new questions over whether vibration to the hand can cause symptoms in the elbow, upper arm or shoulder. Simon Matthews explores the…
Co-op to increase aggregator usage
Co-operative Insurance has set its sights on growing its household book by widening its use of aggregators as a means of distribution.
HR focus - default retirement age: retiring gracefully
The abolition of the default retirement age comes into force later this year. Paul Cann explores potential consequences for employers as they prepare to accommodate an ageing workforce.
Editor's comment: keeping the buzz alive
After the initial buzz of excitement swarmed round the industry at the prospect of an insurer-funded dedicated police unit to combat fraud, all has gone strangely quiet. Fair enough, the Association of British Insurers did stress that its discussions…
Legal update - corporate manslaughter: driving issues
With the first conviction under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 having finally taken place in February, Roger Ball explains the potential consequences for motor fleet operators.
Call made for portal time extensions on EL and PL
The timeframes laid down for insurers to comply with the terms of the fast-track electronic claims portal may have to be modified if the process is to be extended to employers' liability and public liability claims.
Litigation fears in wake of NZ quake
The New Zealand earthquakes in September 2010 and February 2011 have left some brokers and insurers at risk of litigation, the chief executive of Cunningham Lindsey's New Zealand operation has warned.
Death knell for ATE insurance as jackson recommendations accepted
The government's decision to implement the Jackson reforms has sounded the death knell for after-the-event insurance, legal expenses insurers have admitted.
MoJ mediation plans “music to insurers’ ears”
Ministry of Justice plans to promote a wider use of mediation is “music to the ears” of insurers and claimants, Inter Resolve has claimed.