Politics
View from the top: 2011: a case of déjà vu?
I have started 2011 with a strong sense of déjà vu as my colleagues in our claims teams deal with our customers' problems arising from the recent extreme weather conditions. I recall that January 2010 was much the same following another spell of bad…
MP plans 'dramatic changes' for motor
Road safety minister Mike Penning MP has vowed to step up government efforts to tackle the rising cost of motor insurance.
LMA outlines plans to cut motor costs
The Lloyd’s Market Association has outlined a range of recommendations to help reduce the cost of motor insurance at a Transport Select Committee meeting in the House of Commons.
Direct Line urges harsher CIE fines
Insurer Direct Line has called for harsher punishments for uninsured motorists under the recently announced Continuous Insurance Enforcement plans.
Rehabilitation should be heart of government’s civil justice review
Law firm Thompsons is calling on government ministers to put rehabilitation for injury victims at the heart of its review of civil justice.
Government to crackdown on uninsured drivers
The government is set to unveil a range of new measures which will make it an offence to be a registered owner of an uninsured vehicle.
Biba sets out plan to reduce motor insurance costs
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has called on the government to implement an eight point plan to reduce the spiralling cost of motor insurance.
Ecclesiastical offers VAT break to churches
Ecclesiastical has proposed increasing sums insured for all church buildings used for worship to reflect the new level of VAT without any charge.
Broking focus - Bribery Act: On the right side of the law
London market brokers transacting across international boundaries need to revisit their risk and compliance provision in the face of draconian new UK bribery legislation, reports Ralph Savage.
Conservative Party: no estimate exists for properties at risk of flooding
The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Natural Environment and Fisheries), Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has admitted that no figure exists as to how many properties are at risk if the insurance industry withdraws from the statement of…
Government urged to take flood action
A group of MPs have told the government that more must be done to protect properties that are under threat from flooding.
Bruce Stevenson wins Ofgem contract
Edinburgh-based insurance broker Bruce Stevenson Risk Management has been appointed to work with Ofgem as part of the UK government’s support for offshore wind generation.
FSA fines hit record high
The Financial Services Authority handed down a record-breaking £88.4m in fines in 2010 (to 20 December).
Health insurance - review of the year: Care crisis or opportunity?
The past 12 months have been tough for health insurance, with a record contraction in policy numbers. Amy Ellis examines recent market developments and asks whether 2011 will be brighter.
Editor's comment: Don't count your turkeys
Insurers received an early Christmas present last month, when the government appeared to give firm backing to Lord Justice Jackson's recommendations on combating disproportionate civil litigation costs. The ministerial foreword to its consultation…
Local authorities cut back cover as spending review bites
Local authorities are already cutting their insurance spend as a result of the coalition government austerity measures, insurers have warned.
Interview - Roger Brown: Adding value for members
Roger Brown is nearing his second full year as managing director of the ECIC. Mairi MacDonald talks to him about the changes instigated and challenges ahead.
Warning over reserves as retirement age rises
Insurers have been urged to review their reserve levels, as the proposed abolition of the retirement age could see claimants seeking increased compensation in personal injury cases.
Post Europe: Data security – is Europe still lagging behind the US?
Some believe that Europe continues to lag behind the US in terms of data security. Matthew Hogg explores the likely triggers for improved levels of data security in Europe.
Postbox: Lord Sugar's comments need rethink
Having read the online story about Lord Sugar and no-win, no-fee lawyers, I would like to comment that he is simply out to grab headlines.
ABI backs Law Commission plans for consumer legislation
Law Commission proposals to update consumer insurance legislation for the first time in more than a century have gained the backing of the Association of British Insurers.
BoE questioned over insurance expertise
Political consultancy firm Cicero has questioned the Bank of England's ability to govern the insurance sector.
JLT boss draws parallels between terrorism and flood insurance
The Government’s £200m cuts on flood defences could have a catastrophic effect on the commercial property market by making flood insurance unavailable.
Post Europe: Iranian sanctions
Earlier this year the European Union was the first to proscribe sanctions against Iran specifically including insurance. Vic Wyman reports on the reactions and implications for the European insurance market.