Personal injury (PI)
View from the top: A better deal on motor
We have a problem. As an industry, claims inflation in motor insurance is racing ahead of average earnings increases.
Rehabilitation: Providing the carrot
While the use of rehabilitation has made great strides in the past few years, is a more co-ordinated approach with tangible incentives needed?
News analysis: Is data mining a major factor in the PI claims spike?
The debate over referral fees has had more press time recently than whether The X Factor is on the wane or not. And just like the blow-by-blow tabloid accounts of the TV show, its judges and its contestants, the insurance industry is starting to get…
Interview - Konsta & Payton: Let's get together
The high-profile merger of Clyde & Co and Barlow Lyde & Gilbert has impacted the legal and insurance industries. Michael Payton and Simon Konsta explain the differences.
GPs call on government to implement new guidelines on tackling whiplash culture
A group of GPs and insurers have called on the government to implement new guidelines on diagnosing whiplash associated disorder in an attempt to tackle what has become a whiplash culture in the UK.
Cost Advocates warns against MoJ fixed costs proposals
Costs law company Cost Advocates is advising caution on the Ministry of Justice’s proposal to set fixed costs limits on disputes in County Courts.
Talking head: Jack Straw
Former Justice Secretary Jack Straw has certainly made a name for himself this year with his crusade to outlaw referral fees.
Fraud event: Industry must drive forward claimant data-sharing portal
The technology is ready for a data-sharing portal between insurers and claimant solicitors to tackle fraud, but it is down to the industry to drive it forward.
Damages & asbestos: Contrast and compare
Two personal injury compensation disputes have used judicial review proceedings to challenge the substance of the law. Neither were successful but will they still have consequences?
NW England bodily injury claims largest in UK and America
The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries has welcomed the government decision to ban referral fees after its research found claims management companies (CMCs) pocketed almost £500m last year.
Claims event: PI lawyers unmoved as insurers call for legal claims costs reduction
Personal injury lawyers refused to bend to insurance industry demands for the cost of processing legal claims to be reduced, following the imminent abolition of referral fees, in a heated panel debate.
Family found guilty over compensation claim
The husband and daughter of a woman who lied about the extent of her injuries after she was hit by a bus in order to claim £1.5m in compensation, have been found guilty of contempt of court.
Law report: Ruling reinforces risk-taking stand
This law report has been contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Law report: Forseeability question formally laid to rest in harassment appeal case
This law report has been contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Law report: Equestrian experience verdict good news for defendants
This law report has been contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Referral fee ban will not go beyond PI
Jonathan Djanogly MP, parliamentary under-secretary of state for justice, confirmed that the legislation for the banning of referral fees will be confined to personal injury.
TSC risks missing the point about motor insurance pricing
The Association of British insurers has responded to the results of a Young Marmalade survey which revealed that 96% of young drivers feel priced off the road by high insurance premiums.
BIS 2011: RBSI boss: telematics could create insurance underclass
Young drivers represent a huge reputational risk to insurers and telematics could create an uninsurable motor underclass unless the industry addresses urgent questions on data standards and ownership.
Looking back - 1991: Hitting the hot hatches
On 26 September 1991, Post reported a tale familiar to today’s law-abiding general public: soaring motor insurance premiums. Current year-on-year rises cited are in the region of 30% to 40%, but the figures from 20 years ago suggested hikes of up to 74%…
North of the border: UK-wide outbreak of common sense?
After reviewing the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, Lord Young made the point that, despite significant progress and the undoubted success of the Act, the standing of health and safety in the eyes of the public has never been lower. There is a growing…
Top 100 UK insurers supplement: Referral fees roundtable: The hot potato
With barely a day going by without another opinion voiced on the adverse effects of referral fees, our panel of industry experts debated their contribution to cost inflation and the bigger issues*
Top 100 UK insurers supplement - AM Commentary: An uphill struggle
With earnings down, falling reserves and diminishing returns on investments, the tough times continue for UK non-life insurers.
Expert opinion: A missed opportunity
MP for Blackburn Jack Straw's proposed bill will have no effect on fraud or premiums, says Philip Dicken, strategic partnersip director, New Law.
View from the top: Sleepwalking to a fleet nightmare
New business discounts, cross subsidising and top-line chasing remain rife, says Laurent Matras, managing director, Groupama Insurances.