Feature
Start-up brokers: New Year, new start-up?
What's on your New Year's resolutions for 2011? Get fit, give up the fags, start a new broking business? Malcolm Lee sets out what you need to consider to be a successful start-up broker.
Reportage - Online schemes: Choosing channels
How does e-trading apply to schemes? Edward Murray explores whether the returns are worth the time and money brokers invest in putting schemes online or if they sell better off the back of face-to-face relationships.
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…
Reportage - FSCS redress: Speak now...
Colin Darnell gives practical advice on how brokers can act to mitigate the significantly increased FSCS levy as well as potentially help shape future funding arrangements.
Reportage - Coping with regulation: A regulatory health check
Whether they choose to call in a consultant, turn to their network or go it alone, brokers have a few options available to them when it comes to handling the pressures of regulation. Edward Murray explores the pros and cons of the different approaches.
Reportage - Future of regulation: Predicting the future
Everyone is aware the FSA is on its way out but what is less certain is how the new regulatory structure will operate. Liz McMahon explores what brokers can expect in the medium to long-term future.
Broker profile: Broking in a warzone
William Wakeham is worlds apart from the average Insurance Age reader. Martin Friel profiles the life of a broker working in Iraq as he risks car bombs, mortars and bullets in his bid to crack the Middle Eastern market
Reportage - High net worth: Because they're worth it
HNW was once the preserve of specialist brokers and insurers but there has recently been an increase in this type of business being transacted online. Louise Meeson asks if HNW clients and their prized possessions can really be taken care of without…
Legal: Social media do’s and don’ts
Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are valid tools for public-facing communications, though their ubiquity and ease of use present some dangers, writes Emma Bate.
Reportage - state of the market: Caring for the community
There was a time when networks were touted as the best alternative to brokers that did not want to sell out to a consolidator. Louise Meeson assesses the current state of the market and asks if the same arguments in support of network membership still…
Reportage - start-ups: Branching out
Starting your own business is exciting but deciding between autonomy and a helping hand can be tough. Edward Murray looks at what to consider to get what you want and make sure your venture flourishes.
Broker Expo 2010: The Expo experience
It's that time of year again - the Insurance Age Broker Expo is fast approaching - so here's a rundown of what to expect. As usual we have the excellent, interactive workshops and nearly 100 exhibitors but this year we have introduced one-to-one broker…
Broker poaching: Fishing for business
Poaching will always be popular if the bait is right. Louise Meeson asks whether it's worth taking a risk in an attempt to net a prize catch.
Commercial property: Staying in the picture
Ask any broker how they can add value for their commercial property clients and the chances are their first answer will be: provide a great claims service. However, while there is no denying that a prompt claims service matters to the client, the value…
Reportage - network impact: The right environment
Networks promise the earth when attempting to get brokers to sign up but do they deliver on service? Jessica Pothering explores different network cultures and asks how to get the most out of membership.
Market Watch - Professional indemnity: Cover-all expertise
Emmanuel Kenning takes a whistle-stop tour of the post-recession professional indemnity market to find the transferable skills brokers can learn from specialists in a range of sectors.
CII roundtable - Professionalism: The rise of the professional
In this PB roundtable discussion, leading figures from the profession discuss the merits of chartered status, the need to educate customers about it and perceived difficulties in achieving it
Focus - Start-ups: Making your own space
Edward Murray investigates the key considerations involved in establishing a new broker
Technology - Cloud computing: Reach for the skies
Emmanuel Kenning looks at developments in cloud computing and the possible impact on brokers.
Viewpoint: The pros and cons of commission disclosure
Evolution Underwriting CEO Paul Upton evaluates the pros and cons of commission disclosure for large and small brokers as the transparency of the current model comes under scrutiny by professionals in the US and the UK as well as by the European…
SMEs and Government: A cure for the economy
Small business is the backbone of the UK economy, says Stephen Archer, and the Government needs to encourage, rather than hinder, its growth.
Accurate risk pricing: On the nose
Insurers are increasingly turning to technology to help them underwrite their risks more accurately. Liz McMahon uncovers the key to getting the pricing right.
Insurers' PPI responsibility: Accepting responsibility
Against the backdrop of the recent FSCS levy increases, Martin Friel asks what responsibility insurers have for making sure products sold on their behalf are done so properly.
Reportage - long-tail liability: Breathe easy
Neil Hackett advises how brokers can assist in the handling of long-tail liability claims for lung diseases such as pneumoconioses.