Analysis
Referral fees: End of the affair?
Despite recent calls for a ban on referral fees, the government must weigh up the wider considerations and consequences of its actions, explains Leigh Jackson.
Credit hire - Common structure: Under the bonnet of credit hire costs
Melanie Mooney looks at suspect commercial arrangements between credit hire firms and repairing garages and considers what the industry can do to fight the practice.
Bancassurance a growth channel for commercial insurance
Banks in Italy currently hold just 4% of the general insurance market, however, with significant growth in demand for commercial insurance such as directors’ and officers’ Maurizio Ghilosso explains why this might be the ideal channel to tap into this…
Legal update - Property surveyors: Surveyors under siege
The aftermath of the credit crunch has seen lending institutions turn on property surveyors in an attempt to recoup losses. Duncan Greenwood explores the potential to turn the tables back.
Insurance & social media: To tweet or not to tweet
The insurance industry has struggled in its early attempts to adopt social media, due to its staid reputation. Sam Barrett warns that being slow to capitalise on the benefits it can bring means the industry is missing a trick.
Legal update - Occupiers' liability: Who's in charge?
When an event is run, an insured must be clear who controls it. Caroline Elson looks at the tricky area of occupiers' liability claims and reports on a recent case.
Broker networks: Member merits
Brokers often highlight the merits of network structures but is their enthusiasm shared by insurers? Peter Knowles reveals what underwriters really think about the membership model.
Broker focus - Biba/IIB merger: Let's get together
Following the initial flurry of excitement when Biba and the IIB announced they were in merger talks, Chinwe Akomah talks to the market about their hopes and concerns for new a single body.
Post Europe – Aggregators: Passport to Europe
With the aggregator concept set to spread across the Channel, Jane Bernstein asks is Europe ready for it?
Post Europe – BPO: Too far East?
When it comes to business process outsourcing (BPO), the message has always been clear: go east. Although the likes of India, China and the Philippines may be the big hitters in this market, Edward Murray asks if insurers are looking too far east and…
Aggregators: Passport to Europe
With the aggregator concept set to spread across the Channel, Jane Bernstein asks is Europe ready for it?
BPO: Too far East?
When it comes to business process outsourcing (BPO), the message has always been clear: go east.
Spotlight on: Insurance scores - Adapting to new methods
Despite there being restrictions to exactly replicating US insurance scoring methods in the UK, Graham Lund asserts that certain elements could be adapted for much greater effect.
News comment - Women in business: Room at the top
After Business Secretary Vince Cable called on insurance company chairmen to publish their medium-term targets for female board representation, Heather Jackson explains why quotas are not the answer.
News analysis - Regulation: The more things change
With detail emerging on what life under the Prudential Regulation Authority will look like, Mathew Rutter analyses the similarity of themes to the current approach and pinpoints potential problem areas.
Spotlight on: Insurance scores - Number crunching
Looking at the links between credit data and insurance behaviour is unusual in the UK, but this could be about to change, claims Sam Barrett, as insurers look to develop the data sources they use.
Alternative business structures: I bought the law
With the arrival of alternative business structures imminent, Amy Ellis looks at the pros and cons of the ability for those outside the legal sphere to invest in services.
Household - Subsidence: Will the cracks show?
With the industry teetering on the verge of a major subsidence event, Mike Dupelycz takes a look at what lessons can be learnt from previous events and whether the industry is equipped to deal with a potential surge.
Household - Flood risk: Removing the safety net
In two years, the insurance industry's pact with central government to provide flood cover for at-risk properties will cease to exist. Ralph Savage reports on how insurers are planning to meet the challenge post-2013.
Technology in the international private medical insurance market
Tim Mutton looks at the role of technology in the international private medical insurance market.
Technology in the international private medical insurance market
Tim Mutton looks at the role of technology in the international private medical insurance market.
Legal update - Medical advances: The cost of breakthroughs
Medical breakthroughs give new hope to people who have been paralysed or had amputations as a result of accidents, but will these advances add to the already burgeoning costs of personal injury? Tim Brentnall warns that legal implications could prove…
Legal update - Occupational disease: Networking issues
With occupational disease claims hitting the headlines in recent months, as the Supreme Court seeks to resolve disputes, Ben FitzHugh comments on how the industry can make best use of social networking sites when defending such claims.
Microinsurance - A solution to all ills?
Microinsurance is being touted as the answer to insuring the poorest regions of the world against extreme weather threats. However, as Stephanie Denton reports, this may not be the case.