Law Commission
Law commissions open consultation on late claim payments
The Law Commission of England and Wales, and the Scottish Law Commission have called for improved remedies for late payment of valid insurance claims, suggesting insurers pay legitimate claims in a reasonable amount of time.
Arag markets "first" UK divorce cover
Legal expense insurer Arag is claiming to be the first to launch a UK divorce insurance product.
Commercial insurance reform back on agenda
The Law Commission has turned its attention to reforming commercial insurance pre-contract law after confirming a second consultation paper will be published this winter.
Bill set to overhaul consumer insurance law
The Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Bill, which clarifies the law governing what consumers should tell insurers when they take out a policy, will change the relationship between consumers and insurance providers, in its first shake-up…
Government takes forward Consumer Insurance Bill
Financial secretary to the Treasury, Mark Hoban, has announced that having considered the response to the Treasury’s targeted consultation on the Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Bill, the government has decided to take forward the…
Legal update - expert witness: the end of guns for hire?
A recent case has stripped expert witnesses of the immunity they have always enjoyed. Philip Tracey reports on the implications of this significant decision.
Comment - pre-nuptial agreements: breaking the marriage bond
As the world gears up for a Royal wedding, Jonathan West explores the practicalities of what happens when marriages go wrong and whether insurance will soon play its part.
Derrick Cole ACII: An obituary
The death is announced of Derrick Cole at the age of 84 after a long career in insurance.
Law Commission rejects fraud law appeal
The Law Commission has rejected insurance industry proposals to review the law so people who commit third-party insurance fraud lose the right to recover genuine claims, after it was not deemed to have "sufficient support" by the Ministry of Justice.
Industry applauds government green light on legal cost reform - Insurance News Now - 31 March 2011
Post news editor Mairi MacDonald outlines this week's major general insurance stories including the industry's response to Ken Clarke's announcement that success fee recoverability in no win, no fee cases is to end.
News analysis: alarming revelations for commercial cover
The recent Mactavish-Pricewaterhouse Coopers report that declared commercial insurance 'not fit for purpose' is a wake-up call to the market. Insurers, brokers, company boards, government and the buying community should all take note, says John Hurrell.
Editor's comment: Love is in the air
The theme of romance, marriage and relationship meltdown permeated the insurance market this week.
'Divorce insurance' seems likely if new law is binding
A new market in 'divorce insurance' could blossom if a Law Commission consultation leads to pre-nuptial agreements becoming legally binding.
ABI backs Law Commission plans for consumer legislation
Law Commission proposals to update consumer insurance legislation for the first time in more than a century have gained the backing of the Association of British Insurers.
Law Commission gains “strong support” for damages proposals
The Law Commission has revealed that its proposals to modify current insurance contract law on damages has been well received by the industry.
Third-party fraud outside review scope
Law commissioner David Hertzell conceded the current ability for fraudulent third parties to only lose the dishonest part of their claim — rather than having to forfeit the whole — is "quite generous", but stressed this issue lies outside the scope of…
Government set to give go-ahead to draft law reform bill
The government appears to have given the 'green light' to the draft bill on consumer insurance law reform, according to law commissioner David Hertzell. This could take effect as early as next year, he said, which is "two years ahead of when we would…
Industry called on to agree fraud benchmark
Assessing fraud exposure against competitors is the benchmarking 'holy grail' for insurers but, as yet, no common means for comparison has been found.
Legal update - insurance law reform: Out of pocket
Emma Rice looks at the proposed changes to insurance law, which currently does not recognise an obligation to pay damages over failure to pay claims, and what it could mean for insurers.
Broker focus - Premium liability: That boat has sailed
With the publication of Issues Paper Eight in July, the Law Commission set about addressing an anomaly that applies to marine insurance, which makes brokers responsible for paying their clients' premiums to underwriters. Rachel Gordon explains why it…
News comment - Law Commissions: Raising the stake
Richard Evans examines the Law Commissions' latest proposals for reform of insurance contract law with regards to the issue of fraud.
Intermediaries back Law Commission plan over payments
Insurance intermediaries have backed Law Commission plans to introduce legislation making policyholders formally responsible for the payment of their premiums.