Directly to a broker near you.

Competing with direct writers on their terms is not conducive to broking but the trend towards opening broker divisions could halt the brain drain of underwriting talent.

The continuing deterioration in the industry's service standards is,
I feel, a by-product of the current strategy to mechanise the distribution
chain.


A year or so ago I recounted a conversation I had with a chief executive,
who claimed his company could no longer afford the luxury of employing
underwriters for the likes of motor insurance. The cost savings achieved
in closing local branches far outweighed the ability of first-hand
experience gained over generations.


This somewhat selfish attitude