Short stories from the insurance industry

David Wheatley cited an example of possible declining standards at insurance company call centres. When trying to obtain a quote for a motorcyclist's trip to Australia, he was asked: "Is Australia in the EEC?" Perhaps a geography section needs to be included in the next set of insurance exams.

Paul Dyer has achieved two of his ambitions within a very short space of time - one, to gain coverage in The Times and, two, to incorporate the word 'sexy' into a speech about insurance. The Times was covering Peter Cullum's win of the Ernst & Young London Entrepreneur of the Year Award for 2005, and he goes on to represent the UK in Monte Carlo.

Cunningham Lindsey recently came across a case where, after a fire under the stairs caused the occupants to leave tout de suite, it turned out the house was a cannabis farm, with contents worth around £30,000. Cunningham reported: "The house had been specifically adapted to provide optimum conditions for the plants. Polythene lined the floors, tinfoil lined the walls. Additional unmetered power supplies had even been installed."

Charlie Whitfield has said he is happy to answer office e-mails on his BlackBerry while on holiday. Overheard wonders if he saves on postcards by using the device.