Opinion
Relationships are, and probably always will be ..
Relationships are, and probably always will be, a key factor in the brokered general insurance indus...
The hottest insurance gossip
How strange it was to see Michael Bright and Phil Condon whispering sweet nothings to each other in ...
FSA's handling of conflicts
Whatever your view of the Financial Services Authority's handling of conflicts of interest, it would...
Consolidation may test the FSA's limits
It seems that Tony Cornell was tempting fate when his consultancy released its annual retail commerc...
Letter of the month - PPI paralysis: but at least BIBA is doing something positive
As providers of payment protection insurance continue to face pressure from consumer groups and regu...
'Desirable activities': a waste of time
The Prime Minister's legislative crusade to 'defend' school trips from a supposed threat in the courts is losing momentum - and a good thing too
Time to change
Q. An employee is intending to have plastic surgery and says she will need a week off to recover. As far as I know the surgery is purely for aesthetic reasons. I am reluctant to give her the time off, especially considering her attendance record. Must I?
Imarket - four myths debunked
There have been suggestions that imarket (i) only does small risks; (ii) is for quotes only; (iii) c...
Risk and reward
Q. We run a small personal lines brokerage and transact a large amount of private motor business by phone. One of the reasons for our success is the bonus we pay staff for winning new business. I am told we may have to review how we structure our salary…
No broker needs to be told twice ..
No broker needs to be told twice about the impact of regulation on their own firm but what is often ...
Have you got the X-Factor you need to succeed?
Every year, I carry out strategic reviews and prepare a Top 250 list of brokers. Many show no real c...
A positive attitude to new challenges
Biba chief executive Eric Galbraith examines the significant challenges that the industry is facing over the coming year but also reminds brokers there is much to be positive about
pollyc@incisivemedia.com - The hottest insurance gossip
What is the world coming to, Polly had to wonder when she discovered that handbag theft is no longer...
Searchlight Letter of the month
The Financial Services Authority noted with interest the findings of the Professional Broking Sentim...
Get T&C in train
Q. We received a thematic review e-mail from the Financial Services Authority regarding our training and competence scheme. We have put a lot of effort into compliance, but all our staff are experienced and have been with us for ages. Consequently we…
You may experience delays to service ..
I refer to the story NU denies key account manager cull amid service overhaul in the January edition...
Provincial uprising weathers kickback
The fact that some have felt it necessary to be critical of the brokers that used the trade press to...
Interesting times - not a curse but a blessing
New leaders are emerging and party boundaries are being redrawn. But this 'instability' is not to be feared - it is a chance for the industry to become a more integral part of a new political landscape
Personal transport
One BMW-driving big noise in the industry could hardly contain himself recently upon hearing that Br...
Takeover troubles
Q. We are buying another firm, which has an employment tribunal pending. We wish to change staff hours and contract terms. Do we inherit the tribunal, and can we alter the terms?
The art of investigating the past
The Financial Services Compensation Fund, in its role as the UK's statutory financial fund of last r...
It was interesting researching the front cover story ..
It was interesting researching the front cover story this month on the increases in postage costs fa...
The hottest insurance gossip
Broker MCE Insurance are not very happy after being banned from the 2006 Northern Ireland Motorcycle...
Insurers must realise brokers lead the way in innovation and service
For many years, insurers had a patronising and combative attitude towards brokers. The latter were m...