Articles by Harry Curtis
Former Swiss Re CEO Stefan Lippe dies following Covid-19 complications
Former Swiss Re group CEO Stefan Lippe, who led the reinsurer between 2009 and 2012, passed away aged 65 earlier this week following complications after contracting coronavirus.
This week: The gathering of the clouds
As insurers are fond of saying, every claim is an opportunity to show their customers the value of what they get for forking out their premiums.
Reinsurers' annual Monte Carlo conference cancelled
The Rendez-Vous de Septembre, the reinsurance market’s annual conclave in Monte Carlo, will not go ahead in 2020 due to uncertainty over the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Insurance risks damaging reputation 'for a decade' warns dispute expert
The insurance industry should work with government to avoid legal actions against insurers over rejected coronavirus claims that could decimate its reputation “for a decade,” claims dispute expert Roger Flaxman of Flaxman Partners has said.
Hiscox Action Group appoints top City law firm as it surpasses 200 members
The Hiscox Action Group, which now represents more than 200 claimants, has appointed City law firm Mishcon de Reya to handle its case.
Analysis: Policyholders band together as BI group actions mount
Ecclesiastical, Hiscox, QBE and RSA could all face class actions from businesses that have had claims for losses from coronavirus-related closures rejected as policyholders group together and brokers also come under fire.
90 nurseries mull legal action against Ecclesiastical and broker over BI cover
A group of 90 daycare nurseries are considering a legal challenge against both their insurer and broker, Ecclesiastical and Pound Gates respectively, following rejected business interruption claims, Post can reveal.
RSA faces group action over disputed Cottagesure BI wording
RSA faces a legal challenge from a group of 50 businesses which had claims rejected for losses sustained due to Covid-19-related closures, Post has learned.
Analysis: Will lockdown car insurance profits trickle down to policyholders?
Quieter roads have led many to assume that car insurers are in for pandemic profits. Post investigates calls for lockdown windfalls to be re-gifted to motorists.
Nightlife broker seeks legal advice after QBE rejects clients' Covid-19 claims
NDML Insurance Specialists, an insurance broker that caters to nightclubs, has sought legal advice after around 60 of its clients had claims for coronavirus-related closures rejected by insurer QBE, Post has learned.
Hiscox Action Group grows to more than 100 businesses
A group of businesses taking on Hiscox over rejected Covid-19-related business interruption claims has grown to over 100 firms, Post has learned.
Claims automation insurtech building coronavirus support feature after $2.5m raise
Insurtech Sprout AI, which previously operated under the name Blockclaim, has raised $2.5m (£2m) in a second seed-funding round.
Hiscox fires out response as BI conflict rumbles on
Hiscox has outlined its exposures to coronavirus losses as businesses that have had claims for coronavirus-related interruption rejected by the provider have come together, calling themselves the Hiscox Action Group.
Settle Covid-19 claims fast and make interim payments, FCA tells BI insurers
The Financial Conduct Authority has said it will assess how insurers are interpreting business interruption policies, as it urged firms to settle valid claims quickly.
Hiscox rejects 'Public Authority' clause interpretation as coalition of BI claimants threaten class action
Hiscox faces a potential class-action lawsuit from policyholders that have had business interruption claims rejected.
Proposed 7.1% increase to insurers' contribution to FCA budget will add to firms' 'financial burden' in difficult times
The Financial Conduct Authority is consulting on changes to its fees and levies which would see annual contributions by general insurers and general insurance brokers increase 7.1% and 3% respectively.
Whatever else, government must mandate e-scooter insurance, says panel
The government should require e-scooter riders to buy insurance, according to a panel of experts speaking as part of Post’s Motor Insurance World Live on Wednesday.
Six month coronavirus lockdown could force 'total reassessment' of motor insurance risks
Falling motor claims frequencies may mean insurers reconsider what they’re charging policyholders, though their ability to act proactively could be stymied by uncertainty over the length of the Covid-19 emergency, an event heard.
Sabre delays special dividend as profits shrink in 2019
Sabre has delayed its special dividend to shareholders, citing the need to wait for greater clarity around the impact of coronavirus pandemic.
Ex-Jelf boss Phil Barton to helm PE-backed broker agglomeration
Former Jelf boss Phil Barton is set to return to the market as CEO of Partners &, a private-equity backed broker that brings together five broking houses operating across the South East, South West and Midlands.
Insurer gender pay gaps shrink slightly
Insurers’ gender pay gaps narrowed marginally in 2019, with the difference between the median and mean pay of women and men shrinking by 0.94% and 1.46% respectively among a sample of top insurers collated by Post.
Supreme Court dismisses hull underwriters' attempt to recover $22m paid out for deliberately sunken ship
The Supreme Court has dismissed an attempt led by Aspen to recover $22m paid out by hull underwriters following the sinking of a ship in 2013 that was later ruled to have been deliberate.
Analysis: US insurers face 'thin end of the wedge' on mandated coronavirus BI cover
Lawyers remain confident the UK government won’t follow the US in mandating payouts for Covid-19 on business interruption policies after four US states tabled legislation that would require disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic to be covered.
Scor postpones under fire AGM due to coronavirus
Scor has postponed its annual shareholders’ meeting, scheduled for 17 April, until 30 June due to difficulties posed by the coronavirus pandemic.