Politics
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.
Top 100 UK insurers supplement: Steadying the ship
After a tough 2009, the top insurers have managed to maintain GWP levels in 2010 but snapping at their heels are a few new entrants doing their best to prove there is still money to be made in general insurance.
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*
Atmospheric tanks: The big bang theory
The UK has recently seen a number of explosions involving atmospheric tanks, with major incidents at Buncefield and Pembroke. What caused the explosions and how can the risks be reduced?
BIS 2011: Livingstone calls for more investment
Former Mayor of London Ken Livingstone has said the global economy is in the “greatest shift of economic power for 500 years” from America and the UK to Japan and Brazil.
BIS 2011: Insurance is a “keystone” to a more prosperous society
Speaking to delegates at the British Insurance Summit about improving the social profile of the UK Insurance community, John Pollock, group board director at Legal & General Risk, said that insurers have a “once in a generational opportunity” to make a…
Commission proposes financial transaction tax
The European Commission has outlined proposals for a financial transaction tax across all members of the European Union.
BIS 2011: EU economy could go into meltdown, warns former Bank of England boss
The former deputy governor of the Bank of England Sir John Gieve has forecasted the European economy will either slowly limp along to recovery and see unemployment rise or go into complete meltdown.
Renewable manufacturers call for tariff withdrawal protection
The insurance industry could play a crucial role in supplying protection against u-turns in European government policy and provide vital support for the emerging renewables market.
Italy allows variable motor insurance premium tax
Individual Italian provinces now have the ability to vary the insurance premium tax rate of 12.5% on motor vehicle policies, following the country's enforcement of fiscal federalism.
Editor's comment: Overcoming the barriers
If there’s one thing we can say for sure this week, it’s that the latest round in the subrogation set-to over disputed motor repair bills will not be the last.
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.
Whiplash - Britain: The European whiplash capital
With its proportion of whiplash claims far outstripping any other European nation, what must the UK do to curb this cause of claims inflation?
Ken Livingstone to open the British Insurance Summit
Former London Mayor Ken Livingstone will deliver the opening address at this month’s British Insurance Summit, Postonline can reveal.
Industry associations back Government regulation reform
Insurance and broker associations have welcomed the Government’s proposed regulatory reforms in their consultation responses. However, they have also expressed concern its plans could be too “ambitious” and potentially cause delays.
MoJ to split referral ban enforcement role between industry regulators
The Ministry of Justice has confirmed the government’s proposed ban on referral fees is likely not to be centrally administered, but instead enforced by a collection of disparate regulatory authorities.
Editor's comment: The devil is in the detail
Just when consensus was building across the insurance industry that banning referral fees alone will not cure the UK civil litigation system of all its perceived ills, reduce car insurance premiums, or single-handedly wipe out personal injury claims…
Insurers vow to pay squatting claims if informed of extended absence
Insurers have vowed to pay claims to policyholders whose properties are invaded by squatters — as long as they inform them if their home will be empty for long periods of time.
Explosion in whiplash claims highlights the need to tackle cause not symptoms
Last week’s Claims Club meeting saw a heated debate on referral fees, a call for members to lobby against the EU tax review and heavy criticism of the SRA
IUMI 2011 preview: The problem of piracy
The annual International Union of Marine Insurance conference takes place in Paris next week. Topping the agenda is the ongoing scourge of piracy on world trade .