Analysis
The quiet revolution
Forward-thinking companies are exploiting new technology platforms — such as the Iphone — but are insurers aware of these opportunities and what are they doing to embrace them, asks Tim Tribe.
Hitting the headlines in '09
With only a small number of major losses, this year has been declared boring by many market sources. Yet as reinsurance begins to recover from the credit crisis, the lack of major events can only be seen as a good thing for the industry. Reinsurance has…
Reflecting regulations
After taking a battering from the financial crisis, the focus is on which new regulations will be put in place to prevent a repeat, writes Tim Evershed.
Rates remain stable
Our roundup of reader opinion reveals that reinsurance pricing continues to flatten and that the growing dichotomy between insurers and reinsurers, due to the effects of the global financial crisis on results, was perceived as the biggest development of…
Faking it
Insurance fraud is nothing new, but success combating it elsewhere means fraudsters are looking to industrial disease, where testing is often subjective, making claims ripe for fabrication, write Gary Fitzpatrick and Simon Staples.
Blowing the whistle
Staff members can form a frontline defence against fraud committed by their colleagues — but only if they feel safe to come forward. Mark Jones explains why employers should consider a whistleblowers' charter to encourage them to do so.
A tale of two halves
The impact of the economic downturn hit the private medical insurance sector at the end of 2008 and the beginning of this year, and although stabilisation has been a feature of the second half, brokers are still fighting for business, reports Stephanie…
At the crossroads
2009 saw a slowdown in broking merger and acquisition activity in favour of contemplation and integration. Daniel Dunkley reports on a year that on the surface was relatively quiet.
Loss adjusting rankings 2009
Post looks in detail at the UK loss adjusting sector.
Through the back door
UK insurers must prepare fully for the new road
The truth hurts
Insurers should wear their claims experience as a transparent badge of honour to help change the public perception of the insurance industry, writes Tim Crossley.
Unfairly accused
Twelve months on from the collapse of Woolworths, fingers are still being pointed at trade credit insurers, accusing them of intensifying the economic struggle by withdrawing cover. Edward Murray reports.
The mutual way
Rachel Gordon examines whether mutuals have been able to make hay while their public company counterparts struggle, and if the model is set for resurgence in the public sector.
Room for more
Suppliers' one-stop-shop approach of offering everything from claims valuation through to repairs is no longer flavour of the month for some insurers, says Sam Barrett.
Thieves without frontiers
Cross-border fraud is a big threat for European insurers and to tackle it, they must work together and share information to fight crime. However, data protection is causing its own issues, writes Stephanie Denton.
The whole picture
Despite their importance to many insurers, brokers are often forgotten when it comes to the servicing of claims. Ana Paula Nacif reports on the benefits providers may achieve by addressing this issue seriously.
Need for speed
Removing the need for paper in the accounts payable department might not only go some way to saving the planet, but could also help to keep suppliers happy by speeding up the payment process, writes Stefan Foryszewski.
Out with the old
Opportunities for claims handling leakage exist and cost insurers millions of pounds a year. But modern systems can help insurers to reduce it in many ways, writes Katie Doyle.
The appliance of science
With more than 17 000 pollution incidents in England and Wales in 2007, Dr Jon Burton looks at how clean-up costs can be cut by adopting innovative techniques.
Raising the roof
Sakate Khaitan details the delay behind Indian insurance market reform, rising regulatory requirements and future prospects for growth.
Long-distance dangers
Although official figures show that truck-related crime has fallen, Amy Ellis reports on why the figures may not show the true scale of the problem.
Working partnership
After the announcement that Finsure may withdraw from the premium finance market, there is widespread agreement that a strong relationship between provider and broker is becoming increasingly important given the current economic climate, writes Jane…