Discussion
Taking action to break the pleural plaques claims cycle
This month's Power Hour looks at the issue of pleural plaques claims including what responsibilities the industry has and what action should be taken in order to stop an avalanche of possibly spurious asbestos-related claims from arising in the coming…
Postcode lottery raises household flood barriers
This month's Power Hour, which took place at the DAS offices in Bristol, focuses on new levels of information and resources available to insurers involved in assessing flood-risk, and asks if this new information is specific enough to meet the needs of…
Premium finance: great in theory but will it take-off?
The month's Power Hour, in association with Groupama Insurances, focuses on premium finance as an add-on for brokers' business and discusses why, if it is such a good deal, are more brokers not using it? And is there a way to make it a more exciting…
The final countdown to FSA regulatory reform
The month's Power Hour, in association with Groupama Insurances, focuses on the various areas of the new regulatory regime that the panellists think the Financial Services Authority will look to change from 14 January in its first year as statutory…
Are brokers ready for the direct SME threat?
This month's Power Hour panellists discuss whether brokers will be able to flourish, or even survive, in light of the threat they are facing from firms writing small-enterprise policies directly. Will it mean cutting prices further - at the expense of…
Reassessing the role of risk in the broker market
This month's Power Hour panellists discuss whether the majority of brokers can continue to get by with only a basic knowledge of risk management or if it is time to update their practices in order to offer a more professional and expert service to their…
Were things so much better in the old days?
This month's Power Hour panellists discuss the past 25 years of broking and examine what has changed since they first started in the industry. They look at the improvements in technology and how broking has evolved for the better, as well as for the worst
Is it time to ignore the prophets of rate doom?
This month's Power Hour panellists discuss the implications of talking down rates and ask if it is a necessary aspect of good business practice to prepare for the worst, or actually an overly negative action that hits profits and becomes a self-fulfiling…
Bright young things looking to the future
This month's Power Hour brought together a Manchester based panel of twenty-somethings from all areas of the industry to discuss what initially attracted them to insurance, how to attract other young achievers and ways to improve insurer/broker…
What is the future for rehabilitation?
This month's Power Hour panellists discuss the burning issue of rehabilitation; including its definition in today's market and the key role that brokers have to play in helping to encourage a far wider take-up for the benefit of policyholders, insurers…
The search for a silver service from insurers
This month's Power Hour, the first to be held in the regions, looks at whether service standards are as bad as some people think. Four brokers and four insurers debated at the Biba conference the challenges of broker to insurer and broker to client…
FSA's secondary market stance causes confusion
This month's Power Hour panellists discuss the implications of the Financial Services Authority's stance on secondary insurance. Does it offer an opportunity for brokers and if it does, how easy will it be for them to take advantage of the often…
More broker drive required if motor is to pass its MOT
This month's Power Hour panellists discuss the implications of the motor insurance price war which has taken few prisoners and led to the one-size-fits-all policy. Has this situation led to an opportunity for brokers to provide a value added motor…
The offshore vision may show a lack of foresight
This month's Power Hour panellists discuss the implications of moves to offshore servicing, which is seen by more and more UK insurers as inevitable. But who really benefits, and what are the hidden drawbacks?
Here come the retailers: is it high-street robbery?
Five senior industry figures debate the growing presence of supermarkets and other major stores in the personal-lines market. How much do intermediaries have to fear from the popularity of over-the-counter insurance cover?
It's just so difficult to get good help these days
The insurance industry's 'skills gap' is becoming a pressing problem. This month, our panellists examine the reasons for the shortfall, and what companies themselves can do to help get the necessary talent on board
Confusion reigns over rapid network growth
This month's Power Hour panellists consider the issues brokers are facing with the growing number of networks, the impact it is having on their businesses and whether or not they provide any benefits to the small broker
FSA compensation fund could hit brokers hard
This month's Power Hour panellists consider the implications of the Financial Services Authority's Financial Services Compensation Scheme proposals on brokers and how it could affect their business
Is time running out for brokers to face up to PI?
This month's Power Hour panellists consider whether the costs associated with the introduction of compulsory professional indemnity (PI) insurance in 2005 will force smaller brokers either out of business or into mergers
When brokers go bust, who carries the can?
Six Power Hour panellists discuss transfer of risk legislation and who has the duty of care in the event of a failure
Now where there's a claim, there's blame
Claims Direct and The Accident Group have gone - but what does that mean for personal injury awards, the legal expenses market, and the growth of the so-called 'claims culture'? Seven Power Hour panellists debate the issues
Fair price, not fair share - underwriting properly
Has the industry learned its lesson and abandoned cut-throat competition on premiums? The panel looks at the evidence
Private medical cover: how healthy a market?
Take-up of private health insurance is currently only running at just over 10% of the population. Now, as increased funding for the NHS comes in, the Power Hour panel addresses the question: how will the sector's future develop?
Inert bodies
This month, three representatives from professional institutions anda marketing expert get together to evaluate - and criticise - the role andperformance of the insurance industry's various trade associations