BLM
Insurance Covid-Cast episode 13: Litigation under lockdown - how are lawyers and insurers managing legal disputes during the coronavirus?
In the latest episode of Insurance Post and Insurance Age’s new video series brought to you while our journalists are working from home, we gathered together a group of lawyers and claims experts to discuss how they are managing dispute resolution and…
Government urged to consider safety ahead of e-scooter trials
The UK government has been urged to “err on the side of caution” when dictating the rules of e-scooter trials next month.
Lawyers warn against rushing a dual discount rate consultation
As investment returns drop due to coronavirus claimant and insurance lawyers have urged parties not to take a short-term view on the discount rate and a possible early review of a dual discount rate saying its a time for "stability and not disruption”.
Blog: The future of catastrophic injury claims
We have seen a great deal in the press about the immediate impact of Covid-19 on the insurance claims landscape, including motor and credit hire. BLM’s head of catastrophic injury, Andrew Hibbert, believes there are a number of things the insurance…
Analysis: How insurance law firms are responding to the coronavirus - virtual forums, video evidence and resolution based on documentary evidence
In light of the coronavirus pandemic, Jonathan Swift, director of content for Infopro insurance division, caught up with a number of insurance law firms to find out what they are doing to manage case loads and meetings during these difficult times; and…
Experts line up insurance options for government e-scooter consultation
The Association of British Insurers has called for an appropriate regulatory framework to be introduced to keep all road users safe if the government allows micromobility vehicles to be used on the streets.
Discount rate: Warnings on NI premium pressure and claims costs
If the discount rate in Northern Ireland is made minus 1.75% this will lead to price hikes and potentially vast jumps in the cost of individual claims, insurers and lawyers have warned.
Blog: Six months is a long time in politics
December 2019 was the first anniversary of Royal Assent to the Civil Liability Act 2018 and mid-January 2020 marked six months on from one of David Gauke’s last decisions as Lord Chancellor to set a new personal injury discount rate of -0.25% for England…
Analysis: Insuring care for the elderly – is the insurance sector up to the challenge?
Prime Minister Boris Johnson may be the Brexiteers’ main man, but can he also deliver the goods when it comes to caring for the UK’s growing elderly population?
Spotlight: Autonomous Vehicles: The insurance implications of a driverless marine cargo market
Similarly to developments in the auto industry, unmanned seafaring vessels could become prevalent in the future. But today the trend is towards partial autonomy. Valerie Hart looks at the prospects of improving vessel performance and safety, hurdles, and…
Changes to limitation law must be carefully considered, child abuse inquiry hears
Defendant and claimant lawyers testifying in front of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse yesterday agreed that the current system is not working for victims and survivors, but warned clarity is needed on the consequences of altering…
Analysis: 'Dangerous excesses' - Rogue firms drive increase in six-figure credit hire claims
"Outlier" credit hire companies have left insurers increasingly dealing with claims in excess of £100,000, lawyers have cautioned.
2019 Insurance Fraud Awards: Full list of winners
Zurich was the big winner at the 2019 Post Insurance Fraud Awards picking up three awards, and a highly commended including top prize in the Investigation of the Year category.
Analysis: Should the FCA impose fee caps on CMCs?
The Financial Conduct Authority is working to limit charges for claims management companies’ services, but will new regulation actually be a double-edged sword for consumers?
Analysis: Discount rate decision casts a shadow over personal injury settlements
The personal injury discount rate will be set at minus 0.25% from 5 August providing certainty for insurers and claimants alike, but uncertainty created by the Ministry of Justice review behind the new rate could have left claimants – as well as insurers…
This week: Rolling in it
Thursday seemed an appropriate day for insurtech Hippo to announce the outcome of its latest funding round – with temperatures reaching 38°C in places, the urge to emulate the mud-wallowing tendencies of its namesake animal became more and more tempting.
BLM wins fundamental dishonesty case against opportunistic fraudster
BLM has won a fundamental dishonesty case against a fraudster who claimed for whiplash from an accident where she was not in the vehicle.
Blog: Fires and cars - spontaneous combustion is 'use'
The legal definition of when a car is in use and how it affects an insurance claim has long been contentious. Alistair Kinley, director of policy and government affairs at BLM, takes a look at the latest ruling and its likely impact on the insurance…
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.
Landmark court ruling could lead to surge in motor premiums
Exclusive: Motor insurance policyholders could see their premiums increase as a result of a six year landmark case against Motor Insurers’ Bureau.
Insurers can 'breathe easier' as Supreme Court clarifies the use of compulsory motor insurance
Supreme Court has ruled against Axa in a landmark dispute between a property damage insurer and a motor insurer over £2m fire claim.
Analysis: Bad data - A risky business for insurers?
Data is everywhere: good data, partial data, valuable data, bad data. Insurers need data to measure and price risks but do they take enough care in assessing the quality and provenance of the data they are using and are their processes sufficiently…
Court ruling swerves ‘new category of professional negligence claims’
Lawyers have welcomed a ruling by the Supreme Court in favour of a law firm, after a claimant argued he had lost out on his chance for more compensation due to his solicitor’s negligence.
Analysis: Insuring for Brexit
How can insurers help customers facing Brexit uncertainly when they themselves face taking a blind bet on whether the UK will face a hard or soft deal when leaving the European Union? David Worsfold investigates.