Politics
Arab Spring: A little bit of politics
The recent uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa have underlined the narrowness of terrorism policies — but have insureds woken up to the more comprehensive benefits of political violence cover?
CMCs verging on “criminal”
Giving evidence to the Transport committee in its probe into the cost of motor insurance, Jack Straw, former home secretary and justice secretary, said that claims management firms and credit hire companies are “parasites in the system”.
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.
Law Society claims consumers are unlikely to benefit from reform
Consumers are unlikely to witness a reduction in their premiums despite reforms on no-win, no-fee arrangements, according to the Law Society.
CS2 Lawyers re-brands in honour of company director
A leading campaigner behind the recent government ban on referral fees has seen the personal injury law firm where he is director named after him.
Solvency II forces actuaries back on the government’s skills shortage list
A shortage of actuaries to deal with Solvency II projects has forced the UK government to relax its visa rules, according to Re Think Recruitment.
Direct Line boss backs tough stance on dangerous drivers
Direct Line’s director of motor underwriting has praised a tough new government stance on dangerous drivers which could see offenders who “devastate lives” jailed for up to five years.
Legal profession fears “Tesco law”
The new rules that allow non-lawyers to invest in and own legal businesses for the first time have come into force today – but have not been welcomed by everyone.
“Landmark day” for legal industry
New rules that allow non-lawyers to be able to invest in and own legal businesses for the first time have come into force today.
Penny Black’s insurance week
Penny was not at the Conservative Party conference this week but couldn’t help but notice her chums at Lloyd’s broker Windsor, which does a bit of business with the Tories, had pulled a blinder on the publicity front.
Editor's comment: Quotas quickly quashed
Having responded to Business Secretary Vince Cable’s call to take the lead in addressing the gender imbalance on company boards, the insurance industry has resoundingly rejected the notion of quotas as a mechanism to tackle this persistent problem.
New Zealand faces mass withdrawal as earthquake claims stack up
Insurers and reinsurers could stop providing earthquake cover in New Zealand altogether, forcing its government to handle claims.
Straw to meet broker groups to discuss referral fees issue
Brokerbility has secured a meeting with Labour MP for Blackburn Jack Straw, pictured, next month in a bid to give him an industry perspective on referral fees.
BIS 2011: Industry must up government lobbying or risk unsustainable losses
Stronger engagement with national governments is essential to overcome the current insufficient focus on natural disaster mitigation and to push through long-term reforms that will help reduce total event cost.
News analysis: Quota calls for female board membership met with sharp scepticism
Stronger female representation on company boards is one of the recommendations laid down by the Association of British Insurers last week, in its first report on board effectiveness
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.
Agriculture: Reaping the rewards
With a rise in the theft of agricultural plant equipment, the industry and police are striking back with new initiatives.
Ferma 2011: Politics will continue to influence cross-border trade, says JLT
Politics are exerting ever greater influence over cross border trade and this influence will continue, Nick Robson, JLT Specialty has warned.
Irish regulator banned Quinn family
Irish MP Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin has alleged that Financial Regulator Matthew Englefield tied the hands of the Quinn Insurance administrators by banning any bids from the Quinn family.
Penny Black's insurance week
Penny was very close to whipping out her cheque book at the sight of the all the diamond jewellery up for auction at Sterling Insurance’s open day.
Your say: The real postcode lottery
Jack Straw’s Bill has not been particularly well thought out, specifically the point relating to postcode rating. In my view there are two very good reasons why this part of the bill should be changed.
Law firm mergers: Transforming the legal landscape
Insurer demands for scale and scope plus the emergence of Alternative Business Structures are fuelling the fires of law firm consolidation.
Rehabilitation First Awards 2011
Guests were welcomed to the Rehabilitation First Awards 2011 in the stylish surroundings of Le Meridien Piccadilly’s Oak Room by chair of the judging panel and editor of Post Lynn Rouse, who called on the industry to capitalise on the opportunity to…
View from the top: Time for action
Insurers must fight to protect their fundamental purpose faced with the threat of external interventions, says Barry Smith, CEO, Ageas UK.