Politics
Credit hire: Two sides to the story
Credit hire organisations and insurers are blaming each other for the cost of credit hire. With the Office of Fair Trading conducting a review, will anyone emerge victorious?
Reinsurance - January renewals: Toughen up
Despite the catastrophes of 2011, the predicted — and much needed — January renewal rate hardening has failed to materialise.
Spotlight on environment: Extreme measures
Extreme weather events can have enormous economic costs, with huge uncertainty surrounding them. So how can this uncertainty be communicated in a meaningful way to decision makers?
Spotlight on environment: Providing protection
With climate change increasing the likelihood of natural disasters, insurers must influence the debate on how businesses and governments manage risks such as supply chain failure.
Spotlight on environment: Getting protected
When the Statement of Principles on the provision of flood insurance expires next year, how will insurers address the 200 000 high-risk households left struggling for cover?
Indian Government launches new insurance scheme for overseas workers
The Indian government has unveiled a new pension and life insurance scheme that would benefit over 5 million of the country’s unskilled and semi-skilled workers employed overseas.
Reinsurers reluctant to cover Thai cat fund
Global reinsurers may be reluctant to cover the recently announced Thai catastrophe fund if asked to by the nation’s government, according to market analysts.
Anti-metal theft bill scrapped
The private member’s bill to tighten the law on scrap metal dealers has been rejected.
Time lapses on second reading of Straw’s motor bill
The order to read Jack Straw’s Motor Insurance Regulation Bill a second time has lapsed.
NHS contractors must have insurance
Baroness Finlay of Llandaff, professor of palliative care at Cardiff University, has warned the government must force private health contractors to have insurance against negligence claims.
Governments should act like companies, says Geneva Association
Governments of risk-prone countries must make progress in understanding the risks their countries are exposed to and learn to manage them properly, according to the Geneva Association.
Straw’s motor bill awaits second reading
Jack Straw’s Motor Insurance Regulation Bill is set to have its second reading in the House of Commons today.
Hospitals ordered to remove PI ads
NHS trusts have been ordered to remove ‘no win, no fee’ adverts for personal injury lawyers featured in leaflets to patients, according to the Telegraph.
Your say: Tackle the dealers
I read with interest the recent article regarding the industry’s battle against metal thefts — ‘United response called for as metal theft cases see substantial increase’ – and fully support a more co-ordinated approach by insurers to tackle this issue.
Government must pass whiplash legislation quickly claim insurers
Insurers have backed calls for legislation, if something is to be done quickly about spiralling whiplash claims in the UK.
View from the top: Getting power to the people
The insurance industry is in a unique position to generate opportunity from challenge, says Hamish Roberts.
Thai cat fund given green light by regulator
The Office of Insurance Commision, Thailand’s insurance regulator, has passed a resolution to establish a 50bn baht (€1.2bn) catastrophe fund for floods, windstorms and earthquakes.
Comment: Compensation culture - myth or reality?
Is the compensations culture a myth or reality? Tom Jones offers his personal opinion on this controversial topic.
Industry needs to become more “active” or face further regulation
Speaking at a meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Insurance and Financial Services, Jack Straw, said that insurers have to be more active in reforming the private motor market.
UK General signs capacity deal with Ansvar
UK General has signed a new distribution deal with Ansvar.
Minister backs telematics in fight for lower premiums
It is hoped that a combination of telematics technology and changes instigated by the Driving Standards Agency to make the theory test harder to pass will lead to lower premiums for new drivers.
Many countries still vastly underinsured against earthquake
Seismic events caused economic losses of over $276bn in 2010-2011, yet earthquake-prone countries remain underinsured, according to a Swiss Re report.
Profits still elusive in growing Indian insurance market
Further growth is anticipated for India’s insurance market but achieving profitability remains a struggle for many insurers, according to a recent AM Best report.
Iran's nuclear ambition heightens risk to investors
Country economic risk and currency incontrovertibility and transfer risk remain key concerns for Iran, according to JLT’s head of credit and political risk analysis, Elizabeth Stephens.