Analysis
PSTF: Regulation holds back adoption of 'utility computing'
The biggest obstacles to the insurance market adopting "utility computing" are standards and regulation.
Personal injury - Culture change: Care, not cash
A perceptual shift must occur within the industry as well as across the public and the legal profession to replace cash in personal injury claims with care, argues Andrew Pemberton. Without it, the UK will struggle to escape the blame-and-claim culture…
PSTF: Take risks with cloud computing
Reducing the cost of failure in the IT arena by adapting new technology will enable companies to take more risks and be more innovative, as well as reducing costs.
PSTF: Thunderhead boss: learn from 'disruptive' tech
The insurance market should seize the potential of "disruptive" technologies, rather than simply focus on the "enablers" to tap into their customers of the future.
PSTF: Swiftcover brand boosted by non-insurance Iphone app
Swiftcover has strengthened its brand through placing itself at the "forefront" of the Iphone app industry according to a senior figure at the firm.
Legal update - Occupiers' liability: No respite for the reckless
Various judgments over the past six years have laid the foundation for courts to back the coalition government's conviction that the state and private land owners should not be held responsible for the reckless risk taking of individuals while on their…
Comment - flooding: Passing the buck on floods
There is demonstrable lack of interest on all sides when it comes to improving buildings' flood defences and risk profiles. The industry, government and homeowners all need to work together, argues David Walker.
PSTF: Sharing knowledge offers mutual benefits
The Post Strategic Technology Forum was launched last week by chairman and Post editor in chief, Anthony Gould.
PSTF: Maintenance contracts trap insurers in outsourcing deals
Insurers often find it hard to break free from longstanding outsourcing relationships because they are built on maintenance- based contracts they fall into.
PSTF: Customer advocacy is key in social media age
Insurance companies need to stop chasing the pack when it comes to mobile technology, but do it in a joined-up way and pay more attention to the power of customer advocacy in the social media age.
Roundtable - mergers & acquisitions: Cautiously navigating the upturn
Recession and recovery, global ambition, super-mergers, market appetite, pricing, marrying business cultures and managing brokers' expectations were all topics of deeply involved discussion as a panel of industry big-hitters jousted at a recent Post and…
PSTF: Technology was vital to LV's resuscitation
Technology was "the single biggest obstacle to success — and the biggest enabler" in turning around the insurer's fortunes, according to LV's general insurance managing director.
PSTF: Allianz warning over long-term IT problems
A senior insurance technology specialist has criticised the effect that outsourcing is having on the pool of IT talent within the UK market.
PSTF: Senior execs at IT turning point
Jem Eskenazi, chief information officer at Groupama, told delegates the advent of technology in the insurance market was "nothing new", but added senior management are more receptive than ever to embrace technology.
Personal injury - Government reform: How far will they go?
With Lord Jackson's and Lord Young's reports both being delivered in close succession, the question is now whether or not the government has the appetite to deliver change to the personal injury space with some or all of the recommendations being…
Engineering - Technology: Powering change
Fast-paced technological developments in the energy field are presenting challenges for insurers but, as Neil Clutterbuck explains, the industry is finding ways to stay ahead of the game.
Solvency II - Data directories: An essential directory
Rob Stavrou argues that centralised data directories should form an integral part of implementing Solvency II, not only to fulfil regulatory requirements but to make business operation easier too.
Comment - redundancy: Old skills, new start
Being made redundant when you've been working in an industry for several decades is tougher than when just starting out. Trevor Brittain offers sage advice about exploring new avenues after finding himself in such a situation.
Post Europe: Environmental damage - who pays?
Now that the Hungarian toxic spill is no longer making headline news, what are the longer-term implications of this environmental catastrophe? Tony Lennon looks at the potential ramifications that this recent environmental disaster will have on the…
Environmental damage - who pays?
Now that the Hungarian toxic spill is no longer making headline news, what are the longer-term implications of this environmental catastrophe? Tony Lennon looks at the potential ramifications that this recent environmental disaster will have on the…
In series - property claims: I'm sticking with you
Insurers have sometimes been criticised for not doing enough to retain existing clients. Sam Barrett investigates how advances in property claims handling are helping to address this cost-efficient issue.
Legal update - NHS funding: The right to free care
A Primary Care Trust recently argued that a woman injured in a road accident was not eligible to receive NHS care due to winning a payout from her insurer. Glyn Jones explains the facts and implications of this case.
In series - property claims: Everybody's talking
Word of mouth is still the most effective way to retain or gain market share, argues James Grant and, with the rise of social media, more emphasis should be placed on keeping current customers happy.
Commercial property - valuations: Wide of the mark
With recent figures suggesting as many as 77% of buildings are currently underinsured, Rachel Gordon investigates the root causes and potential solutions.