Analysis
Technology: Commercial e-trading starts to come of age at Biba 2010
Emmanuel Kenning reports on the excitement at this year's industry conference at London ExCeL, where brokers beat a path to access the cost-saving, revenue generating technology on offer from software exhibitors.
News Analysis: Employee stress costing UK plc
With businesses losing billions of pounds in productivity, Emmanuel Kenning reports on effective steps that broker managers can take to combat the problem of mental ill health in the workplace.
News Analysis: First cuts unlikely to be the deepest
Chancellor George Osborne wasted little time in announcing £6.2bn of public sector cuts, yet in the uncertain global context it is hard to judge what their impact will be on the UK economy, writes Andrew Tjaardstra.
Regional review: In the middle of it all
The self-sustaining and refreshingly honest nature of the Midlands insurance market mean it is well-equipped to ride out these difficult times, reports Martin Friel.
Power hour: Life after Quinn
This month's power hour sees our panel of experts discuss the fallout for brokers following the problems at Quinn Insurance. Liz McMahon reports.
Legal: Introducing The Equality Act (2010)
The UK's disparate laws on equality based on personal characteristics have been unified with the introduction of The Equality Act (2010). James MacNish Porter and Rachel Dineley explain the big changes that the Act heralds.
The PB Sentiment Survey - May 2010
The first PB Sentiment Survey of 2010 uncovers concerns over dual pricing, evidence of market hardening in personal, but not commercial lines, and sparse signs of nascent recovery.
Product review: Typical commercial legal cover blended with EPL
This product has been reviewed by brokers and rated from one to five stars, based on the policy’s key benefits.
Product review: Essential PL and EL minus the package
This product has been reviewed by brokers and rated from one to five stars, based on the policy’s key benefits.
ATE: Group Litigation: Collective danger ahead
Ever since the Woolf reforms removed legal aid for civil claims in 1999, a fearsome uprising has threatened, looming as a storm cloud over the insurance industry, writes Ralph Savage.
Market Watch: Staying afloat
Marine insurance is tricky at best. Add a global recession, laid-up vessels and some soft sectors and you have a market in which only the most exacting will prosper, writes Jane Bernstein.
Focus: Learning to succeed
Edward Murray finds out how brokers can improve their management credentials by utilising offsite training and which could be the best route to take.
Management Clinic: Don't overlook expenses
When we sell or renew car insurance we search the market for the best quote, but only offer legal expenses from one insurer. Why do I have to tell my clients that I am not giving them a choice in this?
Management Clinic: Agreeing working hours
I would like to change my administrative employees' working weeks to make my business more efficient. Can I change the hours of some of my administrative staff so that they work half a day during the week and half a day on a Saturday?
Technology: Google adds loading speed to ranking criteria
Emmanuel Kenning reports that website loading speed is now a factor in determining Google's search results.
PB Events: Horses and courses make a great day
Kempton Park saw plenty of action on and off the course at this year's Insurance Race Day.
News Analysis: Is new note approach fit for purpose?
Emmanuel Kenning looks at a change in legislation designed to get people back to work as soon as possible after a period of sickness.
News Analysis: Promoting public financial knowledge
Emmanuel Kenning reviews the formation of an independent body designed to enhance the public's understanding and knowledge of financial services.
News Analysis: Quinntessential downfall
Quinn insurance and the Quinn Group are going through a crisis, writes Andrew Tjaardstra.
News Analysis: Volcanic fallout
Andrew Tjaardstra reports on the aftermath of the Icelandic eruption.
Polly C
It's been a while since the ghost of Michael Bright has haunted the insurance industry but he recently popped up in the most unexpected of places.
News review: April 2010
Capita Insurance Services set its sights on becoming the largest niche motor broker in the UK, according to the managing director of its most recent acquisition Sureterm Direct.
Industry movers
A monthly look at who is moving where...
Helping yourself
Anne Hudson outlines the benefits of commercial insurance e-trading and urges brokers to embrace web self-service or risk being left on the shelf