Legal reform
Das remains in profit as GWP rises
Das UK Group has posted a 10.5% increase in gross written premiums “and other technical income” for 2012 to £178.25m, up from £161.3m the year before.
Law firm urges brokers to react to Laspo reforms
Insurers and brokers must make a “positive decision” to respond to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act (Laspo) immediately or risk losing ground to competitors, law firm Antony Hodari has warned.
Ageas and NewLaw announce tie-up
Ageas UK has partnered with NewLaw Solicitors to form Ageas Law LLP.
Biba: IPT increase would be "counter-intuitive"
The British Insurance Brokers' Association (Biba) has warned the government ahead of the Budget that any increase in the standard rate of insurance premium tax (IPT) would be "counter-intuitive".
Accountants predict rise in broker M&A
Legal changes affecting the UK motor insurance market will lead to an increase in mergers and acquisition (M&A) activity among brokers, law firms and claims management companies, according to Deloitte.
Admiral considering claims specialist takeover
Admiral is reportedly planning a tie-up or merger with a Bristol-based claims specialist.
Access to justice
When the laws regarding legal aid change in April next year, brokers need to be ready to advise clients on legal expenses cover, explains Paul Asplin
AA brands removal of tax disk insurance check 'absurd'
The AA has branded the DVLA’s proposed removal of the insurance check when car owners apply for a tax disk as “absurd”.
MP slams medics assisting in false whiplash claims
Bradford East MP David Ward has stated the medical profession “must accept its role” in insurance fraud following reports that doctors are receiving payments to assist with false whiplash claims.
Scottish referral fee ban produces UK's lowest rate of whiplash claims
A ban on referral fees under Law Society of Scotland rules of practice has resulted in the country recording the lowest rate of whiplash claims in the UK.
ABI accused of playing 'cynical and duplicitous game' over portal fees
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has reportedly advised members to start negotiating with offers of £150 for legal fees in low value claims.
Referral fee ban lacks definition and will "damage access to justice"
The LASPO Bill represents “a litany of missed opportunities for the personal injury system” according to John Spencer, director of Spencers Solicitors.
Industry agrees to reduce premiums if government action cuts legal costs
The government has made a commitment to tackle the country’s growing compensation culture, reduce legal costs and cut health and safety red tape in return for the insurance industry’s assurance that it will pass any resultant savings on to consumers.
PM to challenge industry to reduce cost of motor premiums
David Cameron will host a summit with insurance industry representatives, consumer bodies and business groups in a bid to bring down the cost of insurance premiums and tackle the country's growing compensation culture.
DAS returns to profit as it prepares for new legal landscape
The DAS UK Group has moved back into profit following a difficult 2010.
Whiplash summit called to tackle rising motor insurance costs
Cabinet ministers are set to discuss tactics to get a grip on the soaring number of whiplash claims as the government continues to look at ways to tackle rising motor insurance costs.
Laspo bill delayed until April 2013
The Jackson reforms will not be implemented until April 2013, the government has announced.
Jack Straw to "push on" with motor reform
Jack Straw has vowed to fight on in his bid to reform the UK motor insurance market despite his Motor Insurance Regulation Bill hitting the wall.
Select Committee report focuses on whiplash claims and referral fees
The Transport Select Committee has called for the bar to receiving compensation for whiplash to be raised and for the receipt of referral fees to be banned across the board.
Elite in solicitors’ PI U-turn
Elite Insurance has confirmed that it will re-enter the solicitors’ professional indemnity (PI) insurance market in 2012.
Cameron's attack on H&S culture challenged by legal sector
David Cameron has vowed to “wage war” against the health and safety culture in Britain.
Firstassist sold by venture capitalist owners
Firstassist Legal Expenses Insurance is to be acquired from Equistone Partners Europe by Burford Capital.
LEI providers challenged to manage conflicts of ABS
Arc Legal Assistance has challenged legal expenses providers intending to develop alternative business structures (ABS) to prove they can manage the “inherent conflicts” the situation throws up.
LMA urges Ombudsman to look at true costs of rising motor premiums
The Lloyd’s Market Association (LMA) has stressed that losses in the motor insurance market and unnecessary costs faced by insurers are responsible for pushing up prices for customers.