BLM
Rental property shortage sees insurers turn to pods
A shortage of rental accommodation has resulted in providers talking to pod providers about rehoming policyholders in these structures while their homes are repaired, Insurance Post can reveal.
FCA move to ban ‘phoenixing’ a step in the right direction but more could be done to stop dishonest CMCs
Financial Conduct Authority plans to impose significant changes on claims management companies that would prevent ‘phoenixing’ are a step in the right direction but the industry has called for more action to stop dishonest CMCs.
Analysis: One year on, is the whiplash portal working or heading for a crash?
With the Official Injury Claim portal celebrating its first birthday on 31 May, Post investigates how it has fared over the past 12 months.
Analysis: What factors are driving the rise of consolidation in the legal sector?
Post investigates the reasons behind the consolidation surge in the legal sector after Clyde & Co and BLM become the latest law firms to merge.
Clyde & Co merges with BLM; Beazley unveils underwriting structure; KGM buys Eridge Underwriting Agency; Blanc becomes WWF ambassador; and Swiss Re warns of global protection gap
For the record: Post wraps up the major insurance deals, launches, investments and strategic moves of the week.
Intelligence: What does the future hold for ESG chief officers?
With the growing importance of environmental, social and governance issues, companies are starting to recruit people to senior executive positions to oversee their strategies. Pamela Kokoszka investigates if the role of chief ESG officer is here to stay,…
Concerns persist around public understanding of self-driving vehicles
With different levels of autonomous technology available, insurers have warned that an Automated Vehicles Act must be clear on what self-driving cars can and cannot do and this must be communicated effectively.
Industry 'cautiously optimistic' discount rate will be set before NI Assembly dissolves
The Northern Ireland government actuary department will have had less than two months to complete the review of the discount rate before the Assembly dissolves on 25 March, but industry watchers remain “cautiously optimistic” this is achievable.
Analysis: Illegal e-scooters hit insurer claims reserves to tune of 'hundreds of thousands'
Insurers are already reserving ‘hundreds of thousands’ of pounds for collisions involving third-party private e-scooters – but the vehicles aren’t legal on public roads yet.
Self-driving car users should be off the hook for range of offences, commissions set out
The Law Commission for England and Wales and the Scottish Law Commission have proposed the creation of an Automated Vehicles Act that would shift the responsibility away from drivers of self-driving cars.
Interview: Stuart Hardy, Forum of Insurance Lawyers
Stuart Hardy, partner at BLM, was appointed as president of the Forum of Insurance Lawyers in November last year, succeeding Jennette Newman. He spoke to Post about his plans for the next year, challenges facing the industry, how the whiplash reforms…
Blog: Are insurers still on track to cover motorsport risk?
BLM partner and head of sports David Spencer considers the motorsports cover arena post-lockdown.
Intelligence: Product recall and labelling laws
Natasha’s Law has opened up a fresh range of risks for food businesses, while Brexit and Covid-19 have impacted product recall in other areas and ways. Post looks at what insurance cover is available for firms and what triggers they respond to
Blog: ‘The personal injury discount rate in Northern Ireland is in a mess’ - Discuss
The debate about the personal injury discount rate in Northern Ireland is a combination of big political forces, small political points-scoring and, perhaps, some missed opportunities, argue BLM director Alistair Kinley and partner Patrick Connolly,…
Intelligence: Insurance and politics - a story of slow progress
From when the All Party Parliamentary Group on Insurance & Financial Services was established in 1991 to the infamous 10 Downing Street summit on Valentine’s Day 2012 insurance and politics often cross paths. Post investigates the impact insurance has…
Blog: The risks to employers from ‘Freedom Day’
'Freedom Day' may be approaching but a return to normality could remain a risky business for employers, writes BLM occupational disease team partner Simon Morrow.
Intelligence: No time to hide on Scottish independence
A second independence referendum raised its head again in the recent elections for the Scottish Parliament, Post investigates what this would mean for the UK insurance sector
QOCS comes into force in Scotland prompting claims uptick concerns
Insurers are expecting claims volumes to rise in Scotland as Qualified One Way Costs Shifting goes live.
Allianz and LV appoint joint claims panel
Allianz and LV have appointed BLM, DWF and Keoghs to their claims legal panel and are considering joint panels across other areas, Post has learned.
Blog: Brexit set to drive up escape of water claims costs
Many will have breathed a sigh a relief when the government finally agreed a trade deal with the European Union at the turn of the year. However, a few months on, the cost implications for escape of water claims are now becoming clear, argues Yuling Kao…
Blog: A wrong turn on the road out of lockdown?
The resumption of outdoor sports from 29 March is perhaps surprising given the risk that it creates for the spread of Covid-19, says BLM's partner for occupational disease Simon Morrow.