Insurance Age - 2011-04-06
Articles in this issue
Lessons from history: wise head or old fool?
Tony Cornell wonders if the near collapse of AIG could have been avoided by learning lessons from the past
Management - business development: service as selling
Peter Belsey explains how selling is not the preserve of the sales team but should link through and underpin the organisation.
Management - How to... save money and reduce your FSA risk
Mike Cranny offers a step-by-step guide on how to surrender client money permission.
Management - Broking success: making the connection
Liz McMahon talks to Autonet MD Glynn Keeling about the value of a strong audit process and striking a balance between online business and customer communication.
Viewpoint - motor insurance: the mire of credit hire
A changes of attitude by brokers and insurers is long overdue and would restore customers’ faith, says Steve Caffrey.
Market moves: Winds of change sweep the country
Snow flurries in Scotland were matched only by the blizzard of job announcements in the region with Lockton, Heath Lambert, Aspen and RSA all unveiling changes.
How to... prepare for an interview
Once you’ve secured that all important interview, remembering the motto ‘failing to prepare is preparing to fail’ will hold you in good stead. However how do you do it well and what are your interviewers likely to be looking for?
Regional round table - Bournemouth: Fraud focus
Our expert panel discusses how the Insurance Fraud Register and other developments in the market will impact brokers' attitude to fraud. Liz McMahon reports.
Viewpoint - State of the industry: we really must be desperate
An anonymous view from the trenches offers a dose of reality about the state of UK commercial insurance.
Profile: Hidden depths
CCV’s Michael Rea may not shout about it but he’s certainly made his mark at the consolidator. He talks to Martin Friel about his appetite for aquisition, the prospect of flotation and working for an industry ‘personality’
Products: RSA adds final piece to its SME jigsaw as the market hots up
A flurry of activity in the SME sector suggests an increase in competition as providers vie for market share.
Review: Protection for the digital age
This product has been reviewed by brokers and rated from one to five stars, based on the policy’s key benefits.
Review: Cover your legal expenses
This product has been reviewed by brokers and rated from one to five stars, based on the policy’s key benefits.
Schemes: Ecclesiastical and CBG see specialism as their future
Poor results have led both an insurer and broker to seek solace in the schemes market.
Cancer u-turn reveals division in PMI
Bupa’s u-turn on capping cancer cover for its corporate schemes has exposed how fragmented the private medical insurance (PMI) industry is in its approach to the disease.
Concern over risk indicators in wake of ECJ gender ruling
The European Court of Justice’s (ECJ) decision to ban insurers from discriminating against gender has raised fears that other risk indicators, such as age, will also be taken into consideration.
Reportage: Facing up to networks
With networks increasing in popularity, Emmanuel Kenning recounts their development and looks to the future of this crucial market sector.
Regulation costs three times more in UK than rest of EU
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (Biba) has made the first real attempt since regulation was first applied to general insurance brokers to quantify just what it costs for brokers to remain compliant.
Personal lines exits highlight need to avoid reliance on single insurer
Reduced insurer appetite in the personal lines market should serve as a timely reminder to brokers to avoid the pitfalls of placing all their eggs in one basket.
Select Committee polarises opinion
Results of inquiry into motor insurance costs backed by Biba – but ABI brands it a missed opportunity.
Cuts to HSE inspection regime offer an opportunity for brokers
A paper from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will be reducing its proactive inspections by one third, a cut of approximately 11,000 inspections per year.
Is 2011 set to be the year of the start-up or the consolidator?
The news that Towergate had lost a pre-action disclosure application in the High Court and been ordered to pay £17,000 in costs to Lorica Insurance Brokers came shortly after the announcement that the consolidator’s deal with Advent had created a £90m…
Products: Aviva makes 90% online claim
Aviva has claimed it now transacts 90% of its commercial package products online after it added three products to Fast Trade, its online trading platform.
Products: Asian wedding cover from Voyager
Voyager has launched a new wedding insurance product tailored specifically for Asian-style weddings.
Products: Ink targets charity and care markets
Ink Insurance has established Ink Charity to tap into the charity and care sectors.
Products: Vets4pets tie-up for NCI pet policy
Scheme insurance specialist NCI Insurance Services has partnered with veterinary group Vets4Pets to launch a pet insurance policy to customers throughout the UK.
Products: WeatherBrokers in deal with Kettley
WeatherBrokers.com has teamed up with ex-BBC presenter John Kettley to launch an insurance scheme designed to compensate companies and institutions when the ‘wrong’ kind of weather hits.
Products: Lord rises to security challenge
Conservative peer Lord Sheikh’s new broker and underwriting agent Macmillan Sheikh has launched its first scheme for the security industry.
Brokers are facing fallout from the Retail Distribution Review
Impact on IFAs of commission rules could see local communities suffer
Editor’s letter – April 2011
As you can see, there’s a big focus on networks this month. Once seen as an anomaly, they are now a firmly established aspect of the market. And one way they have often sold themselves is that they are a security blanket. The claim is that they can…
Products/schemes: How to… unlock the profit in add-ons
Many industries rely upon ancillary income to generate their profit. Low cost airlines, unable to deliver margin from their core products, instead make their money on hotels, hire cars, or travel insurance. In the motor trade, new car sales deliver low…
Polly C – the hottest insurance gossip
Polly was surprised to hear rumours that a leading broker, that espouses the benefits of independence, was actually in the market for a buy-out.
Your opinions - letter to the editor - re: article “Abiding by the Rules”
Have your say via email, LinkedIn, the Broker Forum, Twitter and letters.. Send your views to Martin Friel, editor, Insurance Age, VNU House, 32 – 34 Broadwick Street, London, W1A 2HG or email him.
Your opinions - from the Forums: ULR/Legal expense insurance
Have your say via email, LinkedIn, the BrokerForum, Twitter and letters. Send your views to Martin Friel, editor, Insurance Age, VNU House, 32 - 34 Broadwick Street, London, W1A 2HG, or email martin.friel@incisivemedia.com.
Your opinions: follow on LinkedIn
LinkedIn discussion in response to “What does everyone think about the ECJ ruling on gender? Will age be next?”
Management – Employment law: know their rights
With a host of changes to employment law coming into effect, employers need to ensure they are up to date with their legal responsibilities, says Peter Done.
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.
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.
