Politics
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.
Fitch Ratings gives referral fee ban its seal of approval
Fitch Ratings has approved measures to ban UK motor insurers from receiving any type of referral fees, saying represents a more meaningful step towards combating the rise in fraudulent claims.
Medical and legal professions bite back at report response
Medical and legal experts have hit back at industry criticism following the Transport Select Committee’s cost of motor insurance report, claiming that comments made in the aftermath of the report question the “integrity” of doctors.
WHO expert calls for cashless insurance system for Indian healthcare
Indian health insurance should cover more than it currently does according to experts at a recent one-day national consultation on the state of the market.
ABI “baffled” by call for transparency of referral fees
Responding to the Transport Committee report on the cost of motor insurance, the Association of British Insurers said referral fees should be banned altogether.
Biba “keen to engage” with cross departmental ministerial committee
Responding to the Transport Committee cost of motor insurance follow up, the British Insurance Brokers’ Association, welcomed the establishment of a cross departmental ministerial committee.
Biba 2012 manifesto focuses on broker regulation and supporting growth
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has launched its 2012 manifesto outlining its priority lobbying issues for the year ahead.
Mass “cautiously” welcomes transport committee report
The Motor Accident Solicitors Society said it cautiously welcomes the Transport Select Committee’s follow-up report on the cost of motor insurance published today, but warned that there is still a long way to go in “dispelling the myths” about whiplash…
Philippines non-life market expected to consolidate in wake of new capital requirements
The local Philippine's insurance representative body has noted that some local non-life insurers may have challenges meeting the government's new paid up capital requirements.
Industry responds to cost of motor insurance follow up report
The industry has delivered mixed responses to the Transport Committee's follow up to the cost of motor insurance report.
Further committee recommended in cost of motor insurance follow up report
MPs have called on the government to establish a cross-departmental ministerial committee on reducing the cost of motor insurance and publish a plan to address each aspect of the problem.
EC gender directive guidelines a ‘disappointment’
The European Commission’s guidelines for applying the soon-to-be-implemented gender directive have added clarity but have been labelled a “disappointment”.
Breast implant scare could leave insurers facing multi-million-pound-bill
A £400m bill could land at the door of clinics and their insurers in the fallout of the banning of Poly Implant Prothese breast implants.
Insurers welcome compensation reform as legal firms blast government policy
Major UK insurers have responded to David Cameron’s vow to “kill off” the UK compensation culture by welcoming a reduction of health and safety red tape, while demanding safeguards to maintain safe workplaces.
Insurers must not lose sight of long term challenges
Speaking as part of the Insurance Institute of London Lecture programme, Mark Hoban, MP, financial secretary to the treasury, said that there is “no place for complacency” in the insurance sector.