Articles by Harry Curtis
Analysis: Industry faces financial blow from discount rate revision
Insurers that have been pricing and reserving using a discount rate of between 0 to 1% may face a short term financial hit, analysts have warned.
Lloyd's modernisation proposals receive positive consultation response
Six proposals to modernise Lloyd’s, including setting up two digital platforms, have received widespread backing from market participants following a 10-week consultation.
Rising Star: Valeria Altavilla, Scheme Serve
An insurtech providing software to the insurance industry is a far cry from qualifying as a lawyer in Italy, but Scheme Serve's Valeria Altavilla isn't looking back.
Dive In festival launches with flash mob at Lloyd's
Event registration has opened for the 2019 Dive In festival, which aims to promote diversity and inclusion in the insurance industry and will year take place from 24 to 26 September.
US commercial drone insurtech partners with Chaucer in UK expansion
US on-demand commercial drone insurtech Skywatch AI has expanded into the UK, where its policies will be underwritten by specialty reinsurer Chaucer.
Flood Re and Axa propose funding flood-resilient home improvements
Payouts on household flood claims could rise above the cost of damage in order to enable claimants to make their homes more resilient to future incidents, under proposals outlined by Flood Re.
Top 0.2% of firms to pay 61% of next year's FSCS levy
110 financial services firms will pay 61% of the Financial Service Compensation Scheme’s levy in 2019/20, according to indicative numbers published by the compensation fund.
Lloyd's cracks down on silent cyber risk with new mandate
Lloyd’s market participants will soon be required to clearly state whether policies cover cyber-related losses, such as cyber-attacks and loss of data.
MGA recovers 55% of money stolen through email conveyancing fraud
A fraud response initiative set up by managing general agent Pen Underwriting has more than halved the amount of money lost in cases of cyber conveyancing fraud since 2017.
Lloyd's issues e-placement targets as Neal outlines future performance review regime
Lloyd’s has confirmed electronic placement targets for the rest of 2019, mandating syndicates place at least 60% and 70% of risks electronically in the third and fourth quarters respectively.
Lloyd's response to culture concerns 'not enough' says Neal
Lloyd's CEO John Neal has addressed concerns about the workplace culture at Lloyd’s, saying “whatever we’ve done so far, it’s not enough”.
BGC recruits Willis' Smaje to head aerospace brokerage
BGC has appointed Philip Smaje as CEO of its global aviation and space reinsurance brokerage.
Allianz appoints Tom Leonard as London regional manager
Allianz Insurance has appointed Tom Leonard as its London regional manager.
Launching an MGA harder than ever: MGAs and carriers
Setting up a managing general agent is now much harder than at any time previously, according to a survey of over 100 MGAs and insurers conducted by Clyde & Co.
FSCS raised supplementary £14m levy following Alpha collapse
The FSCS was forced to raise a supplementary £14m levy in January to cover the cost of the collapse of Alpha Insurance, according to its annual report.
Tulsi Naidu appointed chair of FCA practioner panel
Zurich UK CEO Tulsi Naidu has been appointed as chair of the Financial Conduct Authority’s practitioner panel.
ABI accuses consumer panel of 'overlooking practicalities' in dual pricing automatic upgrade recommendation
The Association of British Insurers has criticised a proposal from the Financial Services Consumer Panel for an automatic upgrade rule to tackle dual pricing, saying it “overlooks the practicalities of underwriting and product choice.”
RSA appoints Rachel Conran as CUO of global risks solutions
RSA has appointed Rachel Conran as chief underwriting officer for its global risk solutions business.
Ferma elects Deutsche Bank insurance chief as president
The Federation of European Risk Management Associations has elected Dirk Wegener, global head of corporate insurance at Deutsche Bank, as its next president.
Financial services Brexit bill approaches £4bn as preparations slow
Major financial services firms had spent nearly £4bn preparing for life after Brexit as of 31 May, according to EY.
CMA price cap proposals could put pressure on 'weak profitability' in insurance
A proposal by the Competition and Markets Authority to place targeted price caps could change pricing and marketing models and put pressure on profitability in the insurance sector, Fitch Ratings has warned.
GRP's County Group buys Stoke broker
GRP-owned County Group has acquired Stoke-based broker Eric Rawlins & Company, which specialises in contractors, property owners, business and fleet risks.
This week: Court's adjourned?
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s decapitated head kicked off its last outing on our television screens this week as the FCA counts down to the PPI deadline on 29 August. However, as one battle comes to an end, another may be just beginning.
FSCS lifts lid on response to collapsed insurers
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme has helped compensate tens of thousands of policyholders following the collapse of five unrated insurers over the past three years. Chief operating officer Jimmy Barber talks to Post on efforts to recover cash…