Post magazine – 18 September 2014

In this issue, Post previews the fast-approaching party conference season. With the Green Party positioning itself as the ‘real opposition’ to the coalition government, reality TV star ‘White Dee’ Deidre Kelly set to speak at the Conservative Party Conference alongside David Cameron and the furore surrounding the ‘Yes’ campaign in Scotland, this year’s season looks set to be an eventful one. But will there be any insurance issues on the agenda? And what outcomes do the major players hope for? Rachael Adams speaks to the industry to get its opinions.

Also in the news, insurers are braced for disappointment as the Competition and Markets Authority’s motor report deadline approaches, with the disparity between credit hire and direct hire costs among the most contentious issues; and RSA group chief executive Stephen Hester’s cost-cutting grand plan is beginning to make waves following a string of high‑profile managerial departures, triggering speculation among market analysts that further personal lines shrinkage will ensue.

Last week, rehabilitation professionals gathered at Le Meridien, London, for the 10th annual Post Rehabilitation First Awards. We bring you all the winners.

After changes to coverholder audits were announced at the Lloyd’s Coverholder Auditors conference, Alec MacMillan, senior auditor at Triton Audit, explains what changes are in store for the sector.

Katie Marriner meets Andy Roberts, group chief executive of Innovation Group. Roberts is a man with a plan – a plan for world domination, no less. He tells Post how he wants Innovation Group to be “top dog” in each of the geographies it operates in.

We shine our Spotlight on E-Trading, first article reporting that the growing SME market means competition for market share is intensifying but new working practices have changed SME liabilities. We ask how these can be assessed and managed; and as SMEs increasingly rely on technology to manage their businesses, we look at whether there is a danger of the broker being replaced by e-trading platforms.

With an increased reliance on satellite technology, Katie Marriner investigates how insurers can mitigate against the major risks inherent in the rise of global communication networks. Also, on top of the risk from flooding, water scarcity could become a real problem in the near future – so what are the insurance implications of emerging water risks? We find out.

Finally, only one in four mobile phones in the UK is insured. Assurant Solutions's Andy Morris reports on recent research that has revealed the places consumers look to buy insurance and shows the key to unlocking the potential of this market.

Enjoy the read!