Commission disclosure
And finally... what have you done for brokers lately?
Pushing into new sectors, listening to what they have to say and championing them on the small screen. Janice Deakin, tells us how she has been nurturing brokers.
Brokers are facing fallout from the Retail Distribution Review
Impact on IFAs of commission rules could see local communities suffer
Review: uncomplicated cover for specialist property risks
This product has been reviewed by brokers and rated from one to five stars, based on the policy’s key benefits.
Review: Business combined policy for metal manufacturers
This product has been reviewed by brokers and rated from one to five stars, based on the policy’s key benefits.
News analysis - regulation: increasingly oppressive FSCS costs could hamper recruitmentConcern that jobs may be lost as brokers struggle to foot rising bill
The recent increase of over 50% in the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) levy for brokers has raised fears that it could cause redundancies in the industry.
The consolidator bubble: refunding lessons
Tony Cornell reflects on the problems of excess capital in the market and the effect on long-term growth.
Power hour - future of broking round table London: Talking heads
The biggest names in the industry come together to debate the key issues facing brokers at the moment, from regulation and rates to consolidation and distribution. Martin Friel reports.
Polly C - the hottest insurance gossip
The regulatory oar It's no secret that the regulator is taking a more intrusive approach to its duties but word has reached Polly that a number of larger broking firms have been receiving particular and rather costly attention.
IIB issues warning on IMD review
The Institute of Insurance Brokers (IIB) has flagged up its concerns that the Insurance Mediation Directive (IMD) review could result in mandatory commission disclosure.
Viewpoint: Changing tactics
The market is buzzing with talk about the introduction of variable commission on individual commercial policies. Malcolm Smith asks what the implications will be for brokers, insurers and policyholders.
Majority of firms ill-equipped to cope with new Bribery Act
Nearly two thirds of insurance firms are still not prepared for new anti-bribery legislation set to be enforced in April this year.
The interview: The charisma in compliance
When Steve White joined Biba in 2004, he brought with him a unique understanding of the application of FSA rules to insurance broking. He has since gone on to be crowned Compliance Personality of the Year 2010. Liz McMahon reports
Schemes news: Difficult medical conditions
Broker Crispin Speers has launched an online travel insurance product for travel agents aimed at offering cover for customers with difficult medical conditions.
UK General Insurance targets smaller brokers with launch of commercial property scheme
UK General Insurance has added to its smart schemes initiative with a tailored commercial property scheme targeting upwards of £150,000 gross written premium.
Editor's comment - January 2011
Here we go again. Another year, another set of woes. The economy has only improved slightly, premium rates still show no sign of real hardening and insurers still seem hell bent on self-sacrifice in the name of growth. I feel for you brokers, I really do…
Reportage - Setting up a scheme: A scheming mind
Louise Meeson uncovers what a successful scheme looks like and offers practical advice on how brokers can identify and run one - should they find an existing niche or create one, how do they sell it to the insurer and is it possible to win schemes from…
Agenda: Hopes for the New Year
Ten years have passed since the dawn of the new millennium. The predictions of economic meltdown because of the millennium bug were false but we have seen crises that have had enormous impact on the global economy: 9/11, the crash of the dot-com bubble…
Product launch: Biba and Broker Direct unite
The British Insurance Brokers' Association (Biba) has appointed Broker Direct as a scheme provider to offer access to its private motor and light commercial vehicle products to all members.
Editor's comment - December 2010
As our front page shows, the prospect of mandatory commission disclosure appears to be receding. I'm not a broker so I can't really make any truly informed comment on the rights or wrongs of this. However, I'm a journalist and, by extension, nosey.
Threat of enforced commission disclosure fades as European bodies follow UK lead
An agreement between European broker and risk management associations is the clearest sign yet that the revised Insurance Mediation Directive (IMD) will opt for commission disclosure on request rather than making it compulsory, according to regulatory…
PB December 2010: News round-up
Apple iPhone apps continue to be all the rage in the insurance industry. Aviva launched MyClaim, a free app enabling policyholders to file a motor insurance claim remotely from their iPhones.
The PB Interview - Laurent Matras: Through the storm
Laurent Matras, managing director at Groupama Insurances, tells Andrew Tjaardstra about the state of the insurance market and how he is working closely with brokers to give his firm a competitive advantage.
Market Watch - Networks: Opening connections
Emmanuel Kenning argues that broker networks are becoming more popular, though managers need to think carefully about the offerings available through them before committing their firms.
The PB Interview - Nigel Barton: Boutique beat
Emmanuel Kenning speaks with a DJ'ing broker who mixes passion with honesty in his search for talent.