Regulation
Power hour: Survive the surge
Claims are seen as the shop window of the insurance industry. However, this sector seldom gets the chance to show its capability outside major surges in claims such as last year’s ‘big freeze’ or the recent riots, writes Martin Friel
Add-ons: the next PPI scandal?
OFT’s call for evidence on ancillary products in private motor could uncover wide-spread mis-selling
Market moves: Making moves in the Midlands
The Midlands was the place to be this month with numerous appointments and promotions at all levels, with Commercial Express in particular the source of a few moves. Lorica and Oxford Insurance Brokers also added several employees to their teams.
Europe on the brink?
The UK is not immune from the sovereign debt crisis in the Eurozone, explains Scott Corfe
Data, data, everywhere…
At last, Tony Bloomer might be getting a universal phone charger, but when will the industry have a standard approach to customer data?
OFT continues to target private motor over competition concerns
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has opened a consultation aimed at addressing competition issues in the private motor market.
FSA chairman says regulation may be holding the economy back
The chairman of the Financial Services Authority has admitted that regulation may be holding the economy back.
Complaints about general insurance increase
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has published the aggregate complaints figures for the first half of 2011.
FSA refuses to refund FSCS levy to exempted firm
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has declined to refund a regulated firm a portion of its FSCS levies after the firm discovered it should have been exempt from the payment.
FSA spending longer on permission extensions
The length of time it takes the Financial Services Authority (FSA) to grant financial services firms permission to expand their businesses has increased by another 10% in the last year, according to a City law firm.
Medical experts challenge Straw to defend whiplash claim
A group of medical experts has claimed that Jack Straw MP’s comments made on 13 September in the House of Commons presented an unfair generalisation of the independent medical sector.
Legal profession slams referral fee ban
The legal profession has claimed access to justice will suffer with the banning of referral fees.
Government to ban referral fees
The government has pledged to ban the use of referral fees as part of what it calls its commitment to curb compensation culture.
Motor market faces OFT investigation
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has launched an investigation into the private motor market following the sharp increase in premiums over the last 12 months.
SRA slams suggestions it is responsible for ABS delay
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has hit out at the assertion that it was responsible for the delay in the authority becoming an approved regulator of Alternative Business Structures (ABS).
Pressure group hits back at ABI compensation culture claim
The Access to Justice Action Group (Ajag) has slammed the Association of British Insurers’ (ABI) call for reform of Britain’s compensation culture laws.
Farewell to the pool
The Assigned Risk Pool will eventually close in 2013, but entrants to the solicitors’ PI market are already trying to exploit this
Is the FSA ready to trash TCF?
FSA assures brokers its focus on TCF remains despite cancellation of workshop road shows
Editor’s letter - September 2011
“Brokers would do well to pay attention to the spirit of what TCF was trying to achieve, even if the regulator’s beady eye is elsewhere at the moment”
Boardroom equality
Making boardrooms more equal is not just the right thing to do, it could also have business benefits, explains Peter Done
The 10 most stupid insurance decisions
What are the 10 biggest bloopers committed by the industry? Tony Cornell gives us his top 10 insurance calamities
What will the FCA look like?
The new regulatory regime could have a very different complexion to the current watchdog, explains Terence Clark
Compliance consultant wants client name cleared, not apology
The compliance consultant at the centre of a bullying claim with the regulator has insisted she wants her client’s reputation cleared rather than receive an apology.
Banks accused of another insurance rip-off
An investigation has uncovered further evidence of high street banks deliberately mis-selling insurance products.