Analysis
Business process outsourcing: innovate and invigorate
Innovation is a much prized commodity for any company with ambition, yet insurers still seem to be treading a cost-cutting backwater when it comes to outsourcing, writes Colin Gray.
Accounting - International standards: standardised accounts
Insurers accounts are prepared on different bases around the world. Neil Coulson looks at plans to make contracts consistent.
Legal update: the final call for success fees?
Success fee recoverability may be facing extinction but recent cases continue to clarify and confirm why there is widespread support for reform,explains Michael Feakes.
In series - first-party fraud: keeping fraud in check
Writing quality risks in volume, while giving customers great customer service and preventing fraud, is a never-ending struggle, but new checking systems can help insurers strike the right balance, writes Graham Odiam.
Legal update - data protection: best practice
Strict rules govern disclosure of personal or sensitive data, even within legal proceedings. Emma Foxon reviews relevant case law to advise on best practice.
NHS reforms: healthy, wealthy or wise?
As UK nurses issue an overwhelming vote of no confidence in the Health Secretary's management of NHS reforms, Richard Sear considers the implications of the government's plans for the NHS, private health providers, insurers and patients.
Claims - prize indemnity: who dares wins
In a sector where rates have held up well, due in part to limited appetite to write such business, Amanda Lewis discusses the art and science of prize indemnity cover.
HNW - water damage: who reigns when it pours?
High net worth homeowners need to be aware of the optimal conditions and prevention measures that can be taken to keep art collections, antiques, contents and buildings in the best condition possible. As April showers loom, Annabel Fell-Clark advises on…
Regional review - Cardiff: a sleeping dragon?
Despite being the largest city in Wales, the Cardiff insurance sector faces daunting challenges in the future. Daniel Dunkley finds out how it plans to face them.
HNW - rates: costs under control
The customer is currently winning in the mid and high net worth sectors, with rates only climbing slowly. David Sweeney looks at what the industry must do to price for profit and continue to provide great service.
Rehabilitation - state of the market: a long road ahead
The UK rehabilitation sector continues to strive to become mainstream. Lynn Rouse reports on remaining barriers and how the journey could unfold.
Legal update - jury trials: judge, jury and compensation
Personal injury claimants in Scotland have long enjoyed the right to a jury trial to determine liability and damages, but record-breaking awards over the past six months has seen their popularity with claimant lawyers surge. Julie Keenan looks at the…
Motor: real time pricing
Intermediaries remain a significant distributor of motor insurance but, if profitability is to be secured, Laurence Walker says new underwriting models must be embraced.
Overseas focus - China: a market of opportunity?
With an enormous population and low insurance penetration, China should be a market ripe for entering. Jakki May finds out it isn't as simple as it sounds but reveals an appetite for change and growth.
Comment - claims: cutting the cost of claims
Introducing non-adversarial means of dispute resolution could be the answer to cutting the cost of claims, empowering qualified professionals and delighting the customer, argues Roger Flaxman.
Comment - gender ruling: the price of equality
The ECJ ruling banning gender-based premiums may have thrown insurers into a spin but, as Mary Honeyball explains, it was the right thing to do.
Legal update - workplace safety: workplace suitability tested
Workplace regulation is tough on floors and traffic routes but less so on transient risks. Sarah Reynolds examines some recent cases.
Post Europe: Targetting PMI in the Benelux region
The Benelux region is popular with expatriates and most health cover is provided by insurance. Tim Mutton, therefore, outlines what brokers need to know about providing medical insurance in the area.
Targetting PMI in the Benelux region
The Benelux region is popular with expatriates and most health cover is provided by insurance. Tim Mutton, therefore, outlines what brokers need to know about providing medical insurance in the area.
Disease claims - occupational voice loss
Occupational voice loss is becoming a growing hazard, partly due to the rise in call centres. Paula Jefferson and Rachel Barbenel examine recent case outcomes and advise on avoiding and defending claims.
Disease claims - HAVS: getting to grips with HAVS
The effect of vibration on the human body has been the subject of debate for more than 100 years, and research is raising new questions over whether vibration to the hand can cause symptoms in the elbow, upper arm or shoulder. Simon Matthews explores the…
Rehabilitation - state of the market: making great leaps in rehab
As the seventh annual Rehabilitation First Awards get underway, Lynn Rouse speaks to previous winners of the outstanding individual achievement award, in the first of a series of reflections on the UK rehabilitation market.
HR focus - default retirement age: retiring gracefully
The abolition of the default retirement age comes into force later this year. Paul Cann explores potential consequences for employers as they prepare to accommodate an ageing workforce.
Disease claims - ELTO: location, location, location
Difficulties inherent in identifying the relevant insurer in a long-tail disease claim led to the creation of the Employers' Liability Tracing Office. Anne Griffiths and Alan Hunter explain what is needed to make it work.