Opinion
McLarens warns cash-strapped councils against self-insuring social housing
As the crisis in social housing continues, Gordon Winstanley, public sector lead at McLarens, observes local authorities are looking to reduce their insurance spend but he warns this is not without risks.
Storm Bert shows insurers must demand building rules change
Editor’s View: If you want to know why people recoil, rather than embrace you, when you say you work in insurance, Emma Ann Hughes recommends you type into Google: ‘What does the insurance industry need to do about the growing number of named storms?’
Why the regulator shouldn’t be painted as a panto villain
James Daley, managing director of Fairer Finance, reacts to recent rabble rousing calls for a regulatory bonfire and urges the industry needs to get behind the watchdog rather than painting them as the panto villain.
Is a Direct Line sale an inevitability?
Briefing: Even though it said it will not “engage further” after Aviva’s takeover attempt, is a Direct Line Group sale an inevitability?
Arch’s Danskin on the power of service
View from the Top: Stuart Danskin, director of underwriting for Arch UK’s regional division, says platinum-level service shouldn’t be reserved for the largest risks and industry heavyweights.
Mandatory qualifications will safeguard the future of insurance
Given the regulator’s role in safeguarding consumers, Crescens George, CEO of Wiser Academy, wonders why the Financial Conduct Authority hasn't already stepped in to mandate higher qualification standards for the insurance sector.
Sticking to the rules is key to OIC success
Shirley Woolham, CEO of Minster Law, reflects on what the legal and insurance profession needs to do to ensure the Official Injury Claims portal delivers for claimants.
Ghost broker busting – how can they be blasted off social media?
Content Director's View: If there’s something weird selling motor cover and it don’t look good … why do so many young drivers fall for ghost brokers on social media and what can be done to bust them, asks Insurance Post's Jonathan Swift.
Axa’s Zweibrucker on why promoting road safety is essential
View from the Top: Alain Zweibrucker, CEO of Axa UK Retail, explains why the insurer called on the government to do more to promote road safety earlier this year.
How social canvassing is transforming fraud investigations
Newton Ross, chief strategy officer at Ontellus, explains how social canvassing has gone beyond spotting injured claimants engaging in extreme sports to identifying creating synthetic profiles and artificial intelligence-enabled fraud.
Mitigation for the UK’s worsening mould problem is critical
With mould remaining a major issue in the UK and expected to worsen, Alan Smith, head of mitigation at McLarens, argues it’s critical both policyholders and their insurers understand the causes of the fungi and how to address plus prevent it.
Time to talk about alienated men in insurance
Editor’s View: Ahead of International Men’s Day (19 November), Insurance Post Editor Emma Ann Hughes says it is time to recognise just because pay gap data shows they earn more than their female colleagues doesn’t mean men feel like kings of insurance in…
QBE’s Chris Wallace on how insurers must support UK businesses in 2025
View from the Top: Chris Wallace, executive director at QBE Europe, believes service and regional focus are priorities at the heart of helping businesses through challenges in the year ahead.
How to enable the renewable energy transition
Jack O’Sullivan, senior underwriter at Rokstone in the energy and power division, argues renewable energy will always attract capacity, but insurers, brokers, and developers need to act more collaboratively to ensure more quality, robust projects are…
What brokers can do to get cyber insurance on the agenda
Trade Voice: Stefan Daines, broking director at Daines Kapp and member of the CII’s Broking Community board, looks at what brokers can do to combat staggeringly low uptake of cyber insurance and worrying misconceptions around the product.
Green hushing: Why insurer silence isn’t golden
Louise Findlay-Wilson, managing director of financial services PR specialists Energy PR, discusses green hushing and its ramifications for the insurance industry.
It is the (changing) name of the game
News Editor’s View: With the RSA and NIG names potentially being dropped next year, Scott McGee looks at other brands insurance has lost over the years, what others could be in danger, and asks: Do any brands still have staying power?
Why insurers are taking a bird’s eye view of claims
View from the Top: Insurers and loss adjusters can be some of the first people on the ground following a customer loss, but increasingly they’re the first in the sky too, as James Nicholson, chief claims officer at Zurich, explains.
AI should be used to fight crash for cash fraudsters
The increase in crash for cash incidents involving motorbikes is far more dire than it initially seems, warns Roi Amir, CEO of insurance technology company Sprout.ai, who argues the solution is to fight artificial intelligence with AI.
Mass’s Sue Brown on what to expect from Labour
Trade Voice: Sue Brown, chair of the Motor Accident Solicitors Society, looks at whether the Labour government might usher in a sea change on civil justice issues.
How the FCA could address premium finance failings
Marc Maxfield, risk and regulation expert at PA Consulting, explains what steps the regulator could take to reduce profiteering from premium finance plus how insurers should prepare for the watchdog's probe now.
Why insurers should get ready for Dora rules now
With the Digital Operational Resilience Act coming into force on 17 January, Rowan Armstrong, partner at Browne Jacobson, says it is vital that UK-based insurers operating in the European Union embrace enhanced digital operational resilience testing,…
How insurers can navigate the threat of biased AI
Dean Standing, chief customer officer of consultancy Sagacity, outlines why insurers should take more care when handling customer data to train artificial intelligence pricing models.
ABI’s Gurga hits top speed on motor insurance pricing
Hannah Gurga, director general of the Association of British Insurers, shares the work the trade body has been doing to help the government’s motor insurance task force accelerate into action and warns UK chancellor Rachel Reeves any increase to…