Personal injury (PI)
Factor in reforms, motor insurers urge Competition Commission
The Competition Commission has been urged to consider the impact of upcoming legal reforms, including the ban on referral fees and changes to general damages, when it begins its two-year investigation into the private motor insurance market.
Motor insurance: Driving down cover costs
With two major indices reporting a fall in the cost of motor insurance, there are signs that the sector’s fortunes are improving. Can insurers afford to be optimistic, or should they proceed with caution?
Discount rate: Lord Chancellor likely to adopt mixed portfolio option
The Lord Chancellor is expected to opt for the “mixed portfolio option” when setting the discount rate for personal injury damages once the consultation finishes in October.
Periodical payment orders: Struggling with settlements
Periodical payment orders are being used to settle increasing numbers of serious personal injury claims, and their popularity is likely to continue. How can insurers cope with the challenges they present?
Alternative Business Structures: a blueprint for change?
Despite the possibilities presented by Alternative Business Structures, there has been only a muted response from the insurance industry thus far.
Antony Hodari acquires Liverpool law firm
Manchester personal injury law firm Antony Hodari has bought Paul Rooney Partnership.
Insurers duck Admiral warning on 'killer' referral fees
Insurers have reiterated their support for the scrapping of referral fees, following remarks made by Admiral chief executive Henry Engelhardt that the incoming ban will be a "killer" for his competitors.
Garwyn: Portal extension could see drop-out rate soar to 80%
Garwyn's chief executive has estimated that up to 80% of claims could fall out of the RTA Portal if it is extended to employers' and public liability in its current form.
Post Claims Club chair's monthly missive: Talk Sport PI ads and treehouses
Last week I enjoyed a pleasant staycation in East Sussex, sleeping in an eco-treehouse on a farm near Mayfield, visiting sights and restaurants recommended by local industry types.
DLG revamps claims management system
Direct Line Group has taken another step towards revamping its claims business by launching the next phase in its end-to-end claims management system.
London council wins crash-for-cash fraud case after four-year stand-off
Barnet Council has avoided up to £120 000 in fraudulent claims costs after a council worker became suspicious of four motor insurance claims occurring in suspiciously similar circumstances.
Online exclusive: Will no-fault compensation soon become a reality in Scotland?
The Scottish government has today (20 August 2012) launched a consultation on no-fault compensation north of the border for injuries resulting from clinical treatment.
Schemes deal sealed between Arc Legal and new OIM Underwriting division
Arc Legal has reached an agreement on two legal expenses schemes with the new division of OIM Underwriting ‘e-Underwriting’ to provide cover as part of its household and property owners portfolios.
Williams: claims colleagues deserve equal pay and greater recognition
Axa's David Williams has called for parity in remunerating claims employees who possess equivalent knowledge and experience to their underwriting counterparts, as he departed the field last week to focus purely on underwriting.
View from the top: Lessons to be learnt from Laspo
The earlier than expected introduction of a damages increase could undermine the positive effects of the Act, says Chris Voller.
Foreign Office launches travel campaign
The Foreign Office and Abta have unveiled a campaign urging holidaymakers to take out travel insurance, highlighting the dangers of balcony jumping.
Thai insurers back new E-claim service for RTAs
Victims of car accidents in Thailand will be treated by hospitals whether they have insurance or not under a new scheme launched by local insurers and the Office of the Insurance Commission.
Zurich and Weightmans tackle string of fraudulent personal injury claims
Global insurer Zurich and national law firm Weightmans have teamed up to crack down on the fraudulent claims public authorities have faced in recent months.
Discount rate consultation: How should it be set?
On Wednesday, the Ministry of Justice published a long-anticipated consultation into the methodology used by the Lord Chancellor in setting the discount rate for personal injury damages. But what exactly is being consulted on, what options are being…
Two-year wait ends as PI discount rate consultation launched
The Ministry of Justice has called on stakeholders to respond to the long-awaited discount rate consultation, which it finally launched yesterday.
Council claims insurance fraud victory
Havering Council has avoided a fraudulent insurance claim that could have cost it £100 000 after the claimant pleaded guilty to contempt of court.
Legal reform: Uncertainty abounds as Laspo countdown continues
The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act is set to be implemented in April, but insurers and lawyers are concerned by a lack of detail.
Industry divided over RTA Portal extension deadline after Fenn report
The Ministry of Justice is sticking to its April 2013 deadline for the extension of the RTA Portal to cover a wider spectrum of personal injury claims, despite industry concerns that any changes will be rushed through.
Editor's comment: Portal problems persist
The government's determination to stick to its self-imposed April 2013 deadline for vertical and horizontal extension of the electronic portal for personal injury claims has unsurprisingly prompted claimant and defendant groups to retreat to their…